早退
zǎo tuì
Leave early.
Phrase in 30 Seconds
Use {早退|zǎotuì} to describe leaving a workplace or school before the official end time.
- Means: Departing from a scheduled commitment earlier than permitted.
- Used in: Professional settings, school environments, and formal meetings.
- Don't confuse: {早退|zǎotuì} (unauthorized/rule-breaking) with {提前离开|tíqián líkāi} (neutral/can be permitted).
Explanation at your level:
Meaning
The act of departing from work or school before the scheduled time.
Cultural Background
Attendance is strictly monitored via digital systems.
Don't use it casually
It sounds like you are reporting a crime or a serious rule break.
Meaning
The act of departing from work or school before the scheduled time.
Don't use it casually
It sounds like you are reporting a crime or a serious rule break.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank.
公司规定员工不能_____。
All are attendance violations.
🎉 Score: /1
Visual Learning Aids
Frequently Asked Questions
1 questionsNo, it is strictly for work or school.
Related Phrases
迟到
similarLate arrival
Where to Use It
HR Meeting
HR: 你上个月有三次{早退|zǎotuì}记录。
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'Early' (早) + 'Retreat' (退) = You are retreating from your post early!
Visual Association
Imagine a clock at 4:55 PM, and a person sneaking out of a door while the boss is looking the other way.
Rhyme
早退早退,工作不对 (Zǎotuì zǎotuì, gōngzuò bùduì - Leave early, leave early, work is not right).
Story
Xiao Wang wanted to see a movie. He left the office at 4 PM. His boss saw him. Now Xiao Wang has a record of {早退|zǎotuì}.
Word Web
Challenge
Write a sentence about a rule in your office or school using {早退|zǎotuì}.
In Other Languages
Salir antes de tiempo
Chinese uses a specific compound word for the infraction.
Partir en avance
Lacks the inherent negative connotation.
Früher gehen
No single-word noun/verb compound.
早退 (そうたい - sōtai)
None, it is a direct cognate.
المغادرة مبكراً (al-mughādara mubakkiran)
Lacks the formal compound structure.
{早退|zǎotuì}
N/A
조퇴 (jotoe)
None, direct cognate.
Sair mais cedo
Lacks the formal compound structure.
Easily Confused
Learners use it interchangeably with {早退|zǎotuì}.
Use {提前下班|tíqián xiàbān} for authorized leave, {早退|zǎotuì} for unauthorized.
FAQ (1)
No, it is strictly for work or school.