気 散(きさん)じ

きさんじ

noun

diversion; amusement; distraction

1. diversion; amusement; pastime

An activity or entertainment that takes one's mind off worries or boredom. Implies a pleasant, refreshing change of pace rather than deep engagement.

気散(きさん)じに散歩(さんぽ)に出(で)かけた。

I went for a walk as a diversion.

仕事(しごと)の合間(あいま)に気散(きさん)じに本(ほん)を読(よ)んでいる。

I read books as a diversion between work tasks.

看病(かんびょう)疲(つか)れの母(はは)に、少(すこ)しでも気散(きさん)じになればと映画(えいが)のチケットを贈(おく)った。

I gave movie tickets to my mother, who was exhausted from nursing care, hoping it would be a nice distraction.

Composed of 気(き) (spirit/mood) + 散(さん) (scatter) + じ (a classical suffix). Literally "scattering one's spirit," meaning to relieve mental tension through a pleasant activity. Has an old-fashioned, slightly literary flavor.

Common patterns

気散(きさん)じに: as a diversion; for amusement
気散(きさん)じになる: to serve as a distraction
気散(きさん)じにする: to do something for diversion

Similar words

気分転換(きぶんてんかん): change of pace; mood refresh — the modern, everyday equivalent
暇潰(ひまつぶ)し: killing time — more casual, implies boredom rather than stress relief
娯楽(ごらく): entertainment; recreation — broader term for leisure activities in general

Related Words

Compare: 気分(きぶん)転換(てんかん) (change of pace)

Compare: 暇潰(ひまつぶ)し (killing time)

Compare: 娯楽(ごらく) (entertainment)

general

Added 2026.4.21 19:30 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02

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