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Today I came across the Japanese word which conveys the meaning of having a lot of free time, and is the opposite of busy. The closest word which I can think of is idle, but that word seems to mean more of a laziness rather than actually lacking something to do. Are there any other words that would convey this kind of meaning?

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  • I think that the phrase "at leisure" – as in "I am at leisure now" – fits best in most circumstances.
    – Micah Walter
    Jan 21, 2015 at 2:35

6 Answers 6

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  1. Free

  2. Available

  3. Leisurely (courtesy Andrew Leach)

  4. Cooling one's heels

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  • The first two are good so +1. The second two... no. Leisure[d|ly] is a very poor antonym for busy - at least is the US.
    – RyeɃreḁd
    Apr 15, 2014 at 19:02
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    How about "at leisure"?
    – Micah Walter
    Jan 21, 2015 at 2:36
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I don’t know what the Japanese word is, or how it is used in Japanese.

Is this “lack of something to do” actually desired by the non-worker, or forced upon him? That is, is this leisure or boredom?

If the lack of busyness is leisure, then leisured would fit; if it’s boredom because he would rather be doing something, then bored would fit.

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How about Inactive?

in·ac·tive [in-ak-tiv]

adjective

  1. not active: an inactive volcano.
  2. sedentary or passive: an inactive life.
  3. sluggish; indolent.
  4. Military . not on active duty.
  5. Chemistry . a. inert; unreactive. b. noting a compound that has no effect on polarized light.

Or even quiet? (6, 7, and 13)

qui·et1 [kwahy-it]
adjective, qui·et·er, qui·et·est.

  1. making no noise or sound, especially no disturbing sound: quiet neighbors.
  2. free, or comparatively free, from noise: a quiet street.
  3. silent: Be quiet!
  4. restrained in speech, manner, etc.; saying little: a quiet person.
  5. free from disturbance or tumult; tranquil; peaceful: a quiet life.
  6. being at rest.
  7. refraining or free from activity, especially busy or vigorous activity: a quiet Sunday afternoon.
  8. making no disturbance or trouble; not turbulent; peaceable: The factions remained quiet for twenty years.
  9. motionless or moving very gently: quiet waters.
  10. free from disturbing thoughts, emotions, etc.; mentally peaceful: a quiet conscience.
  11. said, expressed, done, etc., in a restrained or unobtrusive way: a quiet reproach; a quiet admonition.
  12. not showy or obtrusive; subdued: quiet colors.
  13. not busy or active: The stock market was quiet last week.
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In a metaphoric sense:

Fallow: uncultivated for the current year.

More literal:

Quiescent: inactive, dormant

Furloughed: unoccupied, inactive (usually due to lack of work)

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There are exact opposites but the usage is not common as free and available in this sense.

unbusy

not busy, idle, unoccupied

unbusied

Not required to work; unemployed; not busy.

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I would offer the words clear or empty.

My plate is clear/empty.

My calendar is clear/empty.

You can also say that you have ample spare time.

And normally used for machinery but used for humans too, if something is not in use it is idle.

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