空档
Neutral gear
Literalmente: Empty gear
Use it to describe a specific, short window of free time between your scheduled activities.
En 15 segundos
- Literally means neutral gear in a vehicle.
- Commonly refers to a gap or free slot in a schedule.
- Used for short periods of time between two planned events.
Significado
While it literally refers to the neutral gear in a car, it's most commonly used to describe a gap in your schedule or a period of free time between tasks.
Ejemplos clave
3 de 6Checking a colleague's availability
你下午三点有个空档吗？
Do you have a gap at 3 PM this afternoon?
Texting a friend about a quick catch-up
我正好有个空档，出来喝杯咖啡吧。
I happen to have a gap, let's go grab a coffee.
Explaining why you were late to reply
刚才一直没空档看手机。
I didn't have a single gap to check my phone just now.
Contexto cultural
The term originated from mechanical engineering but shifted into daily vocabulary as China's urban workforce became more schedule-oriented. It reflects a modern perspective where time is viewed as a resource to be managed, similar to how a driver manages gears to maintain momentum.
The 'Single' Secret
If you want to say you're single without sounding lonely, say you're in an `空档期`. It sounds like you're just waiting for the next 'gear' to kick in!
Not for Vacations
Don't use `空档` for a week-long holiday. It's strictly for small gaps or transitional periods between major events.
En 15 segundos
- Literally means neutral gear in a vehicle.
- Commonly refers to a gap or free slot in a schedule.
- Used for short periods of time between two planned events.
What It Means
空档 (kòng dàng) is a super versatile term. In a car, it means you aren't in gear. In life, it means you aren't 'engaged' in a specific task. Think of it as that sweet spot in your day. It is the time between a meeting ending and a lunch date starting. It is the 'white space' on your calendar. When you have an 空档, you are free to breathe.
How To Use It
Using it is easy and makes you sound like a pro. You usually 'have' an 空档 (有空档). You can ask a colleague if they have a 'gap' this afternoon. You can tell a friend you're filling an 空档 with a quick coffee. It functions as a noun. You treat it like a physical slot in time that you can fill or leave empty.
When To Use It
Use it when you are talking about schedules. It is perfect for professional settings when checking availability. It is also great for casual hangouts. If you are texting a friend to see when they are free, this is your go-to word. It sounds more precise than just saying 'free time.' It implies a specific window of opportunity.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for long vacations. If you are off for two weeks, that's a 假期, not an 空档. An 空档 is usually short—an hour or two. Also, don't use it to describe being unemployed for years. That is a 'career gap,' but we use different words for that. Keep 空档 for those daily or weekly schedule holes. Also, don't use it if you're actually talking about a manual transmission car unless you're a mechanic!
Cultural Background
China’s work culture is fast-paced. People love efficiency. The term 空档 became popular because it treats time like a machine. It suggests that even in a busy 'engine' of a life, there are moments of idling. It’s a very urban, modern expression. It reflects the busy lifestyle of cities like Shanghai or Beijing where every minute is accounted for.
Common Variations
You might hear 空档期 (kòng dàng qī). This refers to a longer 'neutral period.' People use this for the time between two jobs or two relationships. It’s like a transition phase. If you are single and waiting for the next spark, you are in an 空档期. It’s a polite way to say you’re currently 'between things.'
Notas de uso
The phrase is neutral and widely used in both professional and casual settings. Be careful not to confuse it with physical space; it almost exclusively refers to time slots or automotive gears.
The 'Single' Secret
If you want to say you're single without sounding lonely, say you're in an `空档期`. It sounds like you're just waiting for the next 'gear' to kick in!
Not for Vacations
Don't use `空档` for a week-long holiday. It's strictly for small gaps or transitional periods between major events.
Efficiency Culture
Using this word shows you value time management. It's a very 'city person' way to talk about your day.
Ejemplos
6你下午三点有个空档吗？
Do you have a gap at 3 PM this afternoon?
Very common in office settings to check for meeting times.
我正好有个空档，出来喝杯咖啡吧。
I happen to have a gap, let's go grab a coffee.
Shows you are using a brief window of time for a social visit.
刚才一直没空档看手机。
I didn't have a single gap to check my phone just now.
A polite way to say you've been back-to-back with tasks.
我的空档只够我喝口水。
My only gap is just long enough to take a sip of water.
Exaggerates busyness for comedic effect.
他现在正处于感情空档期。
He is currently in a relationship 'neutral period' (single).
Uses the variation '空档期' to mean being between partners.
医生中午有一个小时的空档。
The doctor has a one-hour gap at noon.
Refers to a professional's availability window.
Ponte a prueba
Choose the correct word to describe a 30-minute break between classes.
两节课之间我有一个___。
‘空档’ refers to a time gap, while ‘空间’ is physical space and ‘空气’ is air.
Complete the sentence to ask if someone is free.
你今天下午有___吗？我想请你吃饭。
‘有空档’ is the standard way to ask if someone has a slot of free time.
🎉 Puntuación: /2
Ayudas visuales
Formality of '空档'
Texting friends about hanging out.
有个空档，见个面？
Standard daily use in most situations.
我下午有空档。
Scheduling meetings with coworkers.
请查一下经理的空档。
When to use '空档'
Work Schedule
Finding a time for a Zoom call.
Dating
Being single between relationships.
Driving
Actually putting the car in neutral.
Daily Errands
Squeezing in a grocery trip.
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasNo, while it literally means neutral gear, it is much more common in daily life to mean a 'gap' in time or a schedule.
Usually, it's for something slightly longer, like 30 minutes to 2 hours. For 5 minutes, people just say 休息一下.
Yes, it is neutral and professional. You can say 我有几个月的职业空档期 to explain a gap in your resume.
有空 is general 'being free.' 有空档 is more specific, implying a slot between other busy activities.
It's not slang, but it is a colloquial extension of a technical term. It's safe to use with anyone.
You would say 挂空档 (guà kòng dàng), which means 'to hang/put in neutral gear.'
No, for physical gaps between objects, use 缝隙 (fèng xì). 空档 is almost always about time or gears.
In very formal writing, you might use 间隙 (jiàn xì) or 空白, but 空档 is perfectly fine for business speaking.
Not really. It just describes a state of being between tasks. It's neutral, just like the gear!
Usually, 'gap year' is translated as 间隔年, but you could informally call it an 空档年.
Frases relacionadas
有空
To have free time (general)
抽空
To find/squeeze out time
空档期
A transitional period or gap period
挂档
To shift gears
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