1.
spare time; on the side; sideline
Doing something as a secondary activity while one's main attention is elsewhere; treating something as a side project rather than a primary focus.
片手間に仕事をしては失礼だ。
It's rude to do the work half-heartedly.
片手間で絵を描いている。
I paint on the side.
片手間の仕事ではなく、本腰を入れて取り組んでほしい。
I want you to tackle it seriously, not as a sideline.
片手間 refers to doing something as a secondary activity.
WORD FORMATION:
- 片 (one of a pair, partial) + 手間 (time/effort)
- Literally: partial effort, using only "one hand"
USAGE PATTERNS:
- 片手間に/で + verb: doing something on the side
- 片手間の + noun: something done as a sideline
NUANCE:
Can be neutral (describing a side activity) or negative (implying lack of dedication):
- Neutral: 片手間で副業をしている (I have a side job)
- Negative: 片手間でやるな (Don't do it half-heartedly)
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 片手間の仕事: side work
- 片手間に{やる}: to do on the side
- 片手間で済ませる: to deal with casually
OPPOSITE:
- 本腰: serious effort, full commitment