Definition

1. Verb:
   • To amuse oneself / to pass the time pleasantly: The primary meaning of "tiêu khiển" is to engage in an activity for enjoyment or relaxation, often to make time pass in a pleasant way.
   • To entertain oneself / to divert oneself: It refers to seeking lighthearted entertainment or distraction from routine.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Ông cụ thường đọc sách để tiêu khiển. (The old man often reads books to pass the time.)
  • Chúng tôi nghe nhạc để tiêu khiển trong chuyến đi dài. (We listened to music to amuse ourselves on the long trip.)
  • Cô ấy tìm những thú tiêu khiển lành mạnh. (She looks for healthy pastimes.)

Advanced Usage

• The word is often used in a slightly formal or literary context to describe leisurely activities.
• It can imply a deliberate effort to fill leisure time with enjoyable, often undemanding, pursuits.

Variants and Related Words

• Thú tiêu khiển (n): A pastime, a hobby, a form of entertainment.
  • Sưu tập tem là thú tiêu khiển của anh ấy. (Stamp collecting is his hobby.)

Synonyms

• To entertain oneself: To provide amusement or enjoyment for oneself.
• To pass the time: To occupy one's time, especially during a period of waiting.
• To divert oneself: To turn one's attention to amusement or pleasure.

Related Idioms

• While "tiêu khiển" itself is not commonly part of idioms, the concept is central to phrases involving leisure and entertainment.