逛街
guàng jiē
The English phrase 'hang out' can be translated into Chinese as 逛街 (guàng jiē).
逛街 is used to express the idea of hanging out specifically in the context of walking around shops, commercial areas or window shopping.
Meaning: to socialize (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The character 逛 means to stroll or wander aimlessly.
Which one should you use?
Use 逛街 if the hanging out involves walking through streets or shopping centers. Use 玩 if the hanging out involves general leisure activities like playing games or visiting a park.
How do you pronounce it?
guàng jiē
Did you know?
- The word 街 (jiē) in 逛街 means 'street', but in modern Chinese internet slang, if someone is 'hanging out' online, they might use the term 冲浪 (chōng làng), which means 'to surf'.
- A common way to invite someone to 'hang out' is to ask 出去玩吗? (chū qù wán ma), which literally translates to 'go out and play'.
- If you are hanging out at a specific venue like a mall or a club, you might use the verb 混 (hùn), which can mean 'to hang out' but carries a slightly negative connotation of 'loitering' or 'aimlessly drifting'.
Examples in context
- 你今天晚上有时间一起出去玩吗？Do you have time to hang out together tonight?
Example conversation
Two friends are deciding what to do on Saturday.
- 志强 Zhiqiang雨婷，明天你想做什么？Yǔtíng, míngtiān nǐ xiǎng zuò shénme?Yuting, what do you want to do tomorrow?
- 雨婷 Yuting我们去逛街怎么样？Wǒmen qù guàngjiē zěnmeyàng?How about we go hang out?
- 志强 Zhiqiang好主意，我也想逛街。Hǎo zhǔyì, wǒ yě xiǎng guàngjiē.Good idea, I want to hang out too.
- 雨婷 Yuting太好了，明天见！Tài hǎole, míngtiān jiàn!Great, see you tomorrow!
