noun
spare time; free time; leisure time
Refers to time when one is not occupied with work or duties; often used in contexts like doing something in one's spare time.
片手間に小説を書いている。
I write novels in my spare time.
片手間を見つけて運動するようにしている。
I try to find free time to exercise.
余暇 is a more formal term for leisure time, often used in contexts like hobbies or recreational activities, whereas 片手間 is more casual and can refer to any spare moments.
Compound of 片手 (one hand) and 間 (interval, time), literally 'one-hand time', suggesting time when one is not fully occupied and can do something with one hand free.