zhànxiàn: 占线 - Busy (phone line), Engaged

• Keywords: zhanxian, 占线, zhànxiàn meaning, what does zhanxian mean, Chinese for busy line, phone line is busy in Chinese, the line is engaged, telephone Chinese, 打不通 (dǎbutōng), 电话占线 (diànhuà zhànxiàn)
• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese term 占线 (zhànxiàn), which means a telephone line is “busy” or “engaged.” This page breaks down its literal meaning of “occupy the line,” explains its use in both traditional phone calls and modern communication like WeChat, and contrasts it with similar words. With over 10 practical example sentences, you'll master how to say you couldn't get through because the line was busy, a crucial skill for everyday Chinese conversation.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): zhànxiàn
• Part of Speech: Verb / Adjective
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: The telephone line is busy or engaged.
• In a Nutshell: 占线 (zhànxiàn) is the specific word you use when you call someone and they are already on another call, resulting in a busy signal. It's the direct equivalent of saying “the line is busy” in English. While it originated from landline terminology, it's still the standard way to describe this situation even with mobile phones today.

• 占 (zhàn): This character means “to occupy,” “to take up,” or “to seize.” Think of it as one person or thing taking up a specific space, making it unavailable for others.
• 线 (xiàn): This character means “line,” “thread,” or “wire.” It's a very literal character that in this context refers to a telephone line or connection.

When combined, 占线 (zhànxiàn) literally means “to occupy the line.” This paints a clear picture: someone else is occupying the telephone connection, so your call cannot go through.

While 占线 (zhànxiàn) is a practical term, its context has evolved with Chinese technology and social norms. In the era of landlines, hearing the `忙音 (mángyīn)` or busy signal was an extremely common frustration. Getting through to a popular restaurant or a government office often required repeated dialing. In modern China, this has shifted significantly. While you might still encounter a busy line, especially when calling businesses, the immediate follow-up action is culturally distinct from the West. In the US, one might leave a voicemail or send an SMS. In China, the almost universal next step is to open WeChat (微信 - Wēixìn) and send a message. Therefore, while the concept of a busy line is universal, the social protocol surrounding it in China is now deeply tied to the ecosystem of super-apps like WeChat. Saying, “你的电话占线，所以我给你发了微信 (Nǐ de diànhuà zhànxiàn, suǒyǐ wǒ gěi nǐ fāle Wēixìn)” - “Your line was busy, so I sent you a WeChat message” - is a quintessential modern Chinese interaction.

占线 (zhànxiàn) is used almost exclusively in the context of telephone or digital calls. It functions as a verb (“to be busy”) or an adjective (“a busy line”).

• As a Verb/Predicate: It most often appears at the end of a clause to state the condition of the line. For example, “电话占线” (The phone line is busy).
• In Conversation: It's used to explain why a call didn't connect. It's a neutral, factual statement and carries no negative connotation on its own.
• Formality: The term is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal situations, from calling a friend to contacting a business.

• Example 1:
  • 我刚才给你打电话，但是一直占线。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ gāngcái gěi nǐ dǎ diànhuà, dànshì yìzhí zhànxiàn.
  • English: I just called you, but the line was always busy.
  • Analysis: This is a very common and natural way to inform someone you tried to call them. `一直 (yìzhí)` emphasizes the continuous state of the line being busy.
• Example 2:
  • 客服热线老是占线，真让人着急。
  • Pinyin: Kèfú rèxiàn lǎoshì zhànxiàn, zhēn ràng rén zhāojí.
  • English: The customer service hotline is always busy, it's really frustrating.
  • Analysis: `老是 (lǎoshì)` is a colloquial way to say “always” and often implies a slight annoyance, which is reinforced by `真让人着急 (zhēn ràng rén zhāojí)`.
• Example 3:
  • 对不起，您拨打的电话正在占线，请稍后再拨。
  • Pinyin: Duìbuqǐ, nín bōdǎ de diànhuà zhèngzài zhànxiàn, qǐng shāo hòu zài bō.
  • English: Sorry, the number you have dialed is busy, please redial later.
  • Analysis: This is a classic pre-recorded message you would hear from a phone system. `您 (nín)` and `请 (qǐng)` make it very polite and formal.
• Example 4:
  • 他的电话怎么回事？从早上到现在一直占线。
  • Pinyin: Tā de diànhuà zěnme huí shì? Cóng zǎoshang dào xiànzài yìzhí zhànxiàn.
  • English: What's up with his phone? It's been busy from morning until now.
  • Analysis: `怎么回事 (zěnme huí shì)` is a common phrase to ask “what's going on?” or “what's the matter?”.
• Example 5:
  • 如果占线，你就给我发个短信。
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ zhànxiàn, nǐ jiù gěi wǒ fā ge duǎnxìn.
  • English: If the line is busy, just send me a text message.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates giving instructions. `如果…就… (rúguǒ…jiù…)` is a standard “if…then…” sentence structure.
• Example 6:
  • 我打了三次，三次都占线。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ dǎle sān cì, sān cì dōu zhànxiàn.
  • English: I called three times, and it was busy all three times.
  • Analysis: The repetition of `三次 (sān cì)` emphasizes the speaker's persistence and the consistent state of the busy line.
• Example 7:
  • 你是不是在跟别人通话？我打过来一直占线。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ shì bu shì zài gēn biérén tōnghuà? Wǒ dǎ guòlai yìzhí zhànxiàn.
  • English: Are you on a call with someone else? I kept getting a busy signal when I tried calling.
  • Analysis: This shows how to ask for the reason behind the busy line. `通话 (tōnghuà)` means “to be on a call.”
• Example 8:
  • 经理的电话占线，您需要留言吗？
  • Pinyin: Jīnglǐ de diànhuà zhànxiàn, nín xūyào liúyán ma?
  • English: The manager's line is busy, do you need to leave a message?
  • Analysis: A typical sentence that a secretary or assistant might say in a professional setting.
• Example 9:
  • 别再打了，肯定占线，这个时间段是高峰期。
  • Pinyin: Bié zài dǎ le, kěndìng zhànxiàn, zhège shíjiān duàn shì gāofēngqī.
  • English: Stop calling, the line is definitely busy. This time period is the peak period.
  • Analysis: `高峰期 (gāofēngqī)` means “peak period” or “rush hour,” providing a logical reason for the line being busy.
• Example 10:
  • A: 你终于接电话了！ B: 啊，不好意思，刚才手机占线。
  • Pinyin: A: Nǐ zhōngyú jiē diànhuà le! B: Ā, bù hǎoyìsi, gāngcái shǒujī zhànxiàn.
  • English: A: You finally answered the phone! B: Oh, sorry, my phone was busy just now.
  • Analysis: A simple, everyday conversational exchange where `占线` is used as an apology or explanation.

• `占线 (zhànxiàn)` vs. `忙 (máng)`: This is the most common mistake for learners.
  • 占线 (zhànxiàn) specifically refers to a phone line being busy.
  • 忙 (máng) refers to a person being busy with activities (work, chores, etc.).
  • Correct: 他的电话占线。(Tā de diànhuà zhànxiàn.) - His phone line is busy.
  • Correct: 他很忙，没空接电话。(Tā hěn máng, méi kòng jiē diànhuà.) - He is very busy and doesn't have time to answer the phone.
  • Incorrect: ~~他的电话很忙。~~ (Tā de diànhuà hěn máng.) - This is grammatically wrong, as a phone cannot be “busy” in the way a person is.
• `占线 (zhànxiàn)` vs. `打不通 (dǎbutōng)`:
  • 打不通 (dǎbutōng) means “cannot get through” and is a general result. It's the umbrella term.
  • 占线 (zhànxiàn) is a specific reason why you can't get through.
  • You can say: “我打不通他的电话，因为一直占线。” (Wǒ dǎbutōng tā de diànhuà, yīnwèi yìzhí zhànxiàn.) - “I couldn't get through to his phone because the line was always busy.” Other reasons for `打不通` include the phone being off (`关机 - guānjī`) or no one answering (`无人接听 - wúrén jiētīng`).

• 打不通 (dǎbutōng) - The general term for being unable to connect a phone call, for which `占线` is a specific reason.
• 忙音 (mángyīn) - The “busy tone” or “busy signal,” the actual sound you hear when the line is `占线`.
• 接电话 (jiē diànhuà) - To answer or pick up the phone.
• 挂电话 (guà diànhuà) - To hang up the phone.
• 无人接听 (wúrén jiētīng) - “No one answers”; the phone rings but is not picked up. Another reason for a call failing.
• 关机 (guānjī) - To turn off a phone; “(the phone) is off.” A common reason for a call not going through.
• 回电话 (huí diànhuà) - To return a phone call.
• 线路 (xiànlù) - A more technical term for a “line,” “circuit,” or “route.” You might hear it in “线路繁忙” (xiànlù fánmáng), meaning “The lines are congested/busy.”