占线 (zhàn xiàn) — (of a telephone line) to be busy, to be engaged

Definition

占线 (zhàn xiàn) is a verb specifically for a telephone line being busy or engaged. Unlike 忙, 忙碌, and 繁忙, which describe a person or place being busy with activities, 占线 only applies to a phone line that is in use.

verb

(of a telephone line) to be busyto be engaged

Easily confused

展现zhǎn xiànsound-aliketo display, to reveal, to show

Examples

，占线。
Wǒ gāngcái dǎ nǐ diànhuà, yìzhí zhàn xiàn.
I just called you, but the line was busy the whole time.
占线，。
Tā de diànhuà hái zài zhàn xiàn, nǐ zài děng yíhuìr ba.
His phone is still busy — please wait a moment.
占线？
Wèishéme tā de diànhuà zǒngshì zhàn xiàn?
Why is her phone always busy?

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