暇な時に
hima na toki ni
The English phrase "in my free time" is translated into Japanese as 暇な時に (hima na toki ni).
The expression 暇な時に is used in everyday conversations to refer to activities one does when not busy or when one has no obligations.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of hima (free time/leisure), na (a particle used to connect a na-adjective to a noun), toki (time/when) and ni (at/in).
Which one should you use?
While 暇な時に is common, it can sometimes imply that a person has nothing to do. For a more polite or professional way to express having free time, you may use 空いた時間に.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
暇な時に is used in informal, everyday conversations. For professional or more polite situations, use 空いた時間に.
How does it change in a sentence?
When the phrase functions as a temporal adverb, the particle ni at the end of 暇な時に is often omitted in casual conversation, leaving just 暇な時.
How do you pronounce it?
hima na toki ni
Did you know?
- The word 暇 ('hima') is used in the phrase 暇潰し ('hima-tsubushi'), which literally means 'killing time' to pass the hours.
- Japanese has a specific term 暇人 ('himajin'), which labels a person who has too much free time, often used as a gentle tease among friends.
- The alternative phrase 空いた時間に ('aita jikan ni') uses the verb 空く ('aku'), which also describes a seat becoming vacant on a train or a room becoming available.
Examples in context
- 暇な時には友達と映画を見に行くよ。In my free time, I go watch movies with friends.
- 暇な時に、本を読みます。himana toki ni, hon o yomimasu.I read books in my free time.
- 暇な時に、何をしますか？himana toki ni, nani o shimasu ka?What do you do in your free time?
- 暇な時に、旅行に行きたいです。himana toki ni, ryokou ni ikitai desu.I want to go traveling in my free time.
Example conversation
Two friends are chatting about their hobbies at a cafe.
- 蓮 Ren結衣さんは、暇な時に何をしますか？Yui-san wa, himana toki ni nani o shimasu ka?Yui, what do you do in your free time?
- 結衣 Yui映画を見ることが好きです。Eiga o miru koto ga suki desu.I like watching movies.
- 蓮 Renいいですね。僕も映画が好きです。Ii desu ne. Boku mo eiga ga suki desu.That's nice. I like movies too.
- 結衣 Yui蓮さんも、何か趣味はありますか？Ren-san mo, nani ka shumi wa arimasu ka?Ren, do you have any hobbies too?
