idleness
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idleness
The state in which one does nothing or does not pursue any particular activity; inactivity or idleness.
Nach der anstrengenden Arbeitswoche freue ich mich auf ein Wochenende voller süßem Nichtstun.
After the exhausting workweek, I'm looking forward to a weekend full of sweet idleness.
'Nichtstun' (doing nothing/idleness) is a nominalized verb. It is formed from the negation 'nicht' (not) and the infinitive 'tun' (to do) and describes the state of being inactive as a kind of activity.
Manchmal ist Nichtstun die beste Medizin gegen Stress.
Sometimes doing nothing is the best medicine for stress.
As a noun, 'Nichtstun' (idleness/doing nothing) is always capitalized and treated as one word. It is neuter and is used with the article 'das.'
Das Nichtstun am Strand hat mir sehr gutgetan.
Doing nothing on the beach did me a lot of good.
A very common and fixed expression is 'das süße Nichtstun' (sweet idleness). It describes enjoyable lazing around and relaxing.
Im Urlaub genieße ich am liebsten das süße Nichtstun.
On vacation, what I enjoy most is sweet idleness.
activity / occupation
'die Tätigkeit' and 'das Nichtstun' form a clear contrast. A 'Tätigkeit' is something you actively do, for example studying, working, or cleaning up. 'Nichtstun' means that you are not doing anything at the moment or are not engaged in any particular activity. 'Tätigkeit' sounds neutral and can refer to many different things. 'Nichtstun' can be meant in a relaxed way, but it can also sound critical if someone should actually be doing something.
Nach der Prüfung genießt Lisa einen ganzen Nachmittag lang das Nichtstun.
After the exam, Lisa enjoys doing nothing for an entire afternoon.
Kochen ist für Max am Wochenende eine ruhige Tätigkeit.
Cooking is a calm activity for Max on the weekend.