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.
気散じに散歩に出かけた。
I went for a walk as a diversion.
仕事の合間に気散じに本を読んでいる。
I read books as a diversion between work tasks.
看病疲れの母に、少しでも気散じになればと映画のチケットを贈った。
I gave movie tickets to my mother, who was exhausted from nursing care, hoping it would be a nice distraction.
Composed of 気 (spirit/mood) + 散 (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:
- 気散じに: as a diversion; for amusement
- 気散じになる: to serve as a distraction
- 気散じにする: to do something for diversion
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 気分転換: change of pace; mood refresh — the modern, everyday equivalent
- 暇潰し: killing time — more casual, implies boredom rather than stress relief
- 娯楽: entertainment; recreation — broader term for leisure activities in general