Definition
开小差 is a separable verb (离合词) that literally means 'open a small leave slip', but its actual use splits into two senses: (1) military desertion — leaving your unit without permission, and (2) the far more common everyday sense of 'zoning out', 'daydreaming', or being mentally absent. As a separable verb, you can insert measure words, duration, or objects between 开 and 小差, like 开什么小差 (what are you daydreaming about?) or 开了五分钟小差 (zoned out for five minutes).
v.o.
(military) to desert one's post or unitto be absentmindedto daydreamto have one's mind wander
Examples
- 开小差。Shàngkè bié kāi xiǎo chāi.Don't daydream in class.
- 。Tā gōngzuò de shíhou jīngcháng kāi xiǎo chāi.He often zones out at work.
- ，。Wǒ gāngcái kāi le bàn xiǎoshí xiǎo chāi, méi tīng qīng lǎoshī jiǎng shénme.I was daydreaming for half an hour just now and didn't hear what the teacher said.
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