To waste time unproductively, often with a sense of regret.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Meaning: To waste time unproductively.
- Connotation: Regret, missed opportunities.
- Usage: Often with time-related nouns.
Overview
“虚度” (xūdù) 是一个汉语动词，意为“白白地度过时光”或“浪费时间”。它主要用来描述一个人没有充分利用时间，或者将宝贵的时间花在无意义、没有成就感的事情上。这个词带有一定的负面含义，常常伴随着惋惜、懊悔或不满的情绪。它强调的是时间的流逝及其缺乏价值或成果。
“虚度”通常用作谓语，后面可以接时间名词，如“虚度光阴”、“虚度年华”。也可以用来描述一种状态，如“他整天在家虚度”。在句子中，“虚度”可以强调行为的无意义性，例如“不要虚度青春”。它也可以用来表达一种对过去的评价，如“他后悔虚度了大学时光”。
这个词常出现在讨论人生价值、时间管理、个人成长以及对过去反思的语境中。例如，在教育、职业发展、个人励志等话题中，人们可能会告诫不要“虚度光阴”。它也可能出现在文学作品或个人日记中，用来抒发对未能实现目标或浪费潜力的感慨。
“蹉跎”也是指虚度光阴，但它更侧重于因时机不当或犹豫不决而耽误了事情，带有“错过时机”的含义，有时也指在不如意的事情上耗费了时间。
“浪费”是一个更广泛的词，可以指浪费金钱、资源、精力等，不一定特指时间。而“虚度”则专指浪费时间，并且常带有“白白地”、“没有成果地”的意味。
“荒废”通常指因无人管理或疏于照料而变得荒凉、无人使用，也可指因不学习或不练习而使学业、技艺等中断、退步。它比“虚度”更侧重于“失去”和“荒凉”的状态，常用于学业、田地、技艺等。
Examples
别让一时的懒惰毁了你宝贵的青春，不要虚度光阴。
everydayDon't let temporary laziness ruin your precious youth; don't while away your time.
他回顾过往，深感在没有明确目标的情况下，虚度了大学的黄金时期。
formalLooking back, he deeply felt that he had wasted the golden period of his university years without a clear goal.
天天在家刷短视频，感觉日子过得特别快，但又好像什么都没做，有点虚度。
informalScrolling through short videos at home every day, time flies by, but it feels like nothing productive was done; it's a bit like wasting time.
研究表明，长期缺乏有意义的活动可能导致个体感到生活空虚，并有虚度人生的风险。
academicResearch indicates that a long-term lack of meaningful activities may lead individuals to feel life is empty and risk wasting their lives.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
虚度光阴
to waste time
虚度年华
to waste one's years
切莫虚度
must not waste time
Often Confused With
'Wast' is a general term for squandering resources, including money, energy, or time. 'Xūdù' specifically refers to wasting time, often implying a lack of productivity or achievement during that time.
'Cuōtuó' also means to waste time, but it often implies wasting time due to missed opportunities, delays, or indecision. It carries a stronger sense of 'letting chances slip by'.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The term 'xūdù' carries a negative connotation, suggesting regret or dissatisfaction with how time has been spent. It is often used in contexts of self-reflection, advice, or criticism regarding time management and life purpose. Avoid using it in contexts where time was spent productively, even if the activity was difficult or challenging.
Common Mistakes
Learners might confuse 'xūdù' with general 'wasting' (浪费). Remember that 'xūdù' is specifically about time and often implies a lack of achievement or purpose. Also, avoid using it to describe time spent on necessary but perhaps unenjoyable tasks.
Tips
Seize the Day Mentality
Avoid 'xūdù' by actively planning and engaging in meaningful activities. Make every moment count towards your goals.
Beware of Passive Time
Be mindful of activities that consume time without providing value, like excessive passive scrolling or aimless wandering.
Value of Diligence
Chinese culture often emphasizes diligence and making the most of one's time, making 'xūdù' a concept associated with laziness or lack of ambition.
Word Origin
The character '虚' (xū) means 'empty' or 'void', and '度' (dù) means 'to pass' or 'spend' (time). Together, '虚度' literally means 'to pass emptily', emphasizing the lack of substance or achievement in the time spent.
Cultural Context
In many East Asian cultures, including Chinese culture, time is considered a valuable resource. There's a strong emphasis on diligence, hard work, and making the most of opportunities. Therefore, 'xūdù' is viewed negatively, as it goes against these cultural values.
Memory Tip
Imagine 'xu' (虚 - empty) and 'du' (度 - to pass time). You are passing empty time, like an empty vessel, achieving nothing.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions“浪费”是一个更通用的词，可以指浪费金钱、资源或时间。而“虚度”则专门指浪费时间，并且常常暗示这种时间的流逝没有带来任何价值或成就，带有“白白地”的意味。
“虚度”可以搭配各种时间单位，最常见的是“光阴”、“年华”、“青春”、“岁月”等。例如，“虚度光阴”、“虚度青春”。
是的，通常带有批评或自我批评的意味。它暗示了对时间没有得到有效利用的惋惜或不满，认为这段时间本可以做更有意义的事情。
虽然没有一个完全对应的反义词，但可以理解为“善用时光”、“珍惜时间”、“充实度日”等，这些词都强调了时间的有效利用和价值。
Test Yourself
我们不应该在年轻的时候 ______ 光阴，而要努力学习，为未来打下基础。
“虚度光阴”是固定搭配，且这里强调的是白白度过时光，没有成就，符合“虚度”的含义。
他感觉自己大学四年一事无成，只是在 ______。
“虚度年华”指白白度过时光，尤其指没有成就地度过，符合语境中“一事无成”的描述。其他选项虽然也与时间相关，但“挥霍青春”侧重于不珍惜，“蹉跎岁月”侧重于错过时机，“浪费人生”过于绝对。
请选择最能表达“白白度过”含义的句子。
这个句子清楚地表明了将时间花在无意义的事情上（打游戏），导致假期被白白度过，符合“虚度”的含义。
Score: /3
Summary
To waste time unproductively, often with a sense of regret.
- Meaning: To waste time unproductively.
- Connotation: Regret, missed opportunities.
- Usage: Often with time-related nouns.
Seize the Day Mentality
Avoid 'xūdù' by actively planning and engaging in meaningful activities. Make every moment count towards your goals.
Beware of Passive Time
Be mindful of activities that consume time without providing value, like excessive passive scrolling or aimless wandering.
Value of Diligence
Chinese culture often emphasizes diligence and making the most of one's time, making 'xūdù' a concept associated with laziness or lack of ambition.
Examples
4 of 4别让一时的懒惰毁了你宝贵的青春，不要虚度光阴。
Don't let temporary laziness ruin your precious youth; don't while away your time.
他回顾过往，深感在没有明确目标的情况下，虚度了大学的黄金时期。
Looking back, he deeply felt that he had wasted the golden period of his university years without a clear goal.
天天在家刷短视频，感觉日子过得特别快，但又好像什么都没做，有点虚度。
Scrolling through short videos at home every day, time flies by, but it feels like nothing productive was done; it's a bit like wasting time.
研究表明，长期缺乏有意义的活动可能导致个体感到生活空虚，并有虚度人生的风险。
Research indicates that a long-term lack of meaningful activities may lead individuals to feel life is empty and risk wasting their lives.
Related Content
Related Phrases
Related Vocabulary
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朝九晚五
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废弃
B2To abandon; to discard; to cease to use.
恪守
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未免
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反常
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