ocio
“ocio” means “leisure” in Spanish (Free time for enjoyment).
leisure, free time
Also: recreation, idleness
📝 In Action
En mi tiempo de ocio, me gusta ir al cine y leer.
A2In my leisure time, I like to go to the cinema and read.
La ciudad ofrece muchas actividades de ocio para los jóvenes.
B1The city offers many recreational activities for young people.
El sector del ocio nocturno ha crecido mucho este año.
B2The nightlife and leisure sector has grown a lot this year.
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: ocio
Question 1 of 3
What is the most accurate translation for 'ocio nocturno'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin word 'otium', which meant free time, repose, or time spent away from public office.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'ocio' better than 'tiempo libre'?
Neither is better, but 'ocio' sounds slightly more formal or academic. In a text message to a friend, you'd likely say 'tiempo libre'.
Does 'ocio' always mean being productive with your hobbies?
Not necessarily. It can mean doing nothing at all (idleness) or doing organized activities like sports or movies.
Can I use 'ocio' to describe a person?
No, 'ocio' is a thing (a noun). To describe a person who likes to do nothing, use the adjective 'ocioso'.