打发时间 (dǎ fā shí jiān)

verb phrase HSK 4

Traditional 打發時間

dǎ fā shí jiān

to kill time · to pass the time · to while away the time

Meaning

This common phrase literally means 'to send away time' and describes doing something to make time pass, usually when you're waiting, bored, or have nothing particular to do. It carries a slightly casual or idle connotation, suggesting the activity isn't deeply meaningful but serves to occupy yourself.

Usage

Used in informal and neutral contexts when describing activities done mainly to occupy oneself rather than for serious purpose. Common in everyday conversation when explaining how you spent idle time. Often followed by activities like reading, watching videos, or playing games.

Examples

01
等车的时候我玩手机打发时间。
Děng chē de shí hou wǒ wán shǒu jī dǎ fā shí jiān.
While waiting for the bus, I played on my phone to kill time.
02
她看小说打发时间，不知不觉就到了晚上。
Tā kàn xiǎo shuō dǎ fā shí jiān, bù zhī bù jué jiù dào le wǎn shang.
She read novels to pass the time, and before she knew it, evening had arrived.

Characters

Common collocations

打发无聊时间
dǎ fā wú liáo shí jiān
to kill boring time
用...打发时间
yòng ... dǎ fā shí jiān
to use ... to pass the time
打发一下时间
dǎ fā yī xià shí jiān
to pass a bit of time

Antonyms

Origin

The verb 打发 originally meant 'to dispatch' or 'send someone away.' Combined with 时间 (time), it creates the metaphor of 'sending time away' or making it pass.