在
zài
To be at/in, to exist
之余 (zhī yú) — apart from, in spare time
(在 (zài)) + Noun/Verb + 之余 (zhīyú), + Subject + Verb
HSK 7–93.0
Pattern diagram
在Noun之余，Who / whatAction
pale — also possible
Rule structure
The pattern (在 (zài))…之余 (zhī yú) introduces time free from a main activity (工作之余 (gōng zuò zhī yú)), or an additional action/feeling alongside the main one. 在 (zài) is often omitted. Register is usually neutral to slightly formal.
Rule structure
The pattern (在 (zài))…之余 (zhī yú) introduces time free from a main activity (工作之余 (gōng zuò zhī yú)), or an additional action/feeling alongside the main one. 在 (zài) is often omitted. Register is usually neutral to slightly formal.
Examples
工作之余，我喜欢看书。
Gōngzuò zhīyú, wǒ xǐhuan kàn shū.
In my time off work, I enjoy reading.
Examples
工作之余，我喜欢看书。
Gōngzuò zhīyú, wǒ xǐhuan kàn shū.
In my time off work, I enjoy reading.
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Words from this rule
Frequently asked questions
How do you say “apart from, in spare time” in Chinese with 之余?
Use the structure: (在 (zài)) + Noun/Verb + 之余 (zhīyú), + Subject + Verb. For example: 工作之余，我喜欢看书。 — “In my time off work, I enjoy reading”.
What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?
工作之余，我喜欢看书。 — “In my time off work, I enjoy reading”.
Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?
This grammar rule is part of HSK 3.0 Levels 7–9.
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More HSK 3.0 Levels 7–9 grammar rules
动不动 就 — at the slightest thing, just
Subj. + 动不动 (dòngbudòng) 就 (jiù) + Verb
仅次于 — second only to
Subj. + 仅次于 (jǐn cì yú) + X
个 — casual small action
Verb + 个 (ge) + Noun
除外 — except for, excluding
Noun + 除外 (chúwài)
不亚于 — no worse than
Subject + 不亚于 (bú yà yú) + Noun
可不 — enthusiastic agreement
可不 (kě bu) / 可不是嘛 (kě bú shì ma) — a standalone confirming reply
说到哪儿去了 — polite reply to praise
说到哪儿去了 (shuō dào nǎr qù le) — a standalone polite reply
非 — neither A nor B
非 (fēi) + Noun/Adj. A + 非 (fēi) + Noun/Adj. B