Definition
偷闲 is a separable verb (离合词) meaning 'to snatch a moment of leisure' — to take a short break from work or busyness. The literal image is 'stealing' (偷) free time (闲). It's a literary or semi-literary expression, often used in the phrase 忙里偷闲 ('steal a moment of leisure from a busy schedule'). The verb can split: 偷了几天闲 ('stole a few days of leisure').
v.o.
to snatch a moment of leisureto take a short break from busy work
Examples
- ，偷闲。Gōngzuò zài máng, yě yào tōu xián xiūxi yíxià.No matter how busy work is, you should still snatch a moment to rest.
- ，。Tā máng lǐ tōu le jǐ tiān xián, qù hǎibiān dùjià.He stole a few days of leisure from his busy schedule and went on a beach vacation.
- 偷闲，。Zhōumò tōu xián, hē bēi chá kànkan shū.On weekends, snatch a moment of leisure to drink a cup of tea and read a book.
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