When you work extra hours or on a public holiday in China, your company might offer you 调休 (tiáoxiū). This means you get to take compensatory leave instead of getting paid overtime.
It's quite common, especially in companies that follow the "996" work culture (9 AM to 9 PM, 6 days a week). So, instead of extra pay, you accumulate days off that you can use later.
For example, if you work on a Saturday, you might get a 调休 day to use on a different weekday. It's a way for companies to manage work schedules and employee benefits, balancing workloads with time off.
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Examples by Level
我需要调休。
I need compensatory leave.
你明天可以调休吗？
Can you take compensatory leave tomorrow?
他上周工作了很长时间，所以今天调休了。
He worked long hours last week, so he's taking compensatory leave today.
我们可以把假期调休到下个月。
We can shift our holiday (compensatory leave) to next month.
公司允许我们调休。
The company allows us to take compensatory leave.
她生病了，所以不得不调休。
She was sick, so she had to take compensatory leave.
我已经用完了所有的调休时间。
I have used up all my compensatory leave time.
我们计划在周五调休。
We plan to take compensatory leave on Friday.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
After working overtime during a holiday, many companies offer compensatory leave. This often comes up when discussing holiday work schedules or company policies regarding extra work.
- 我们公司有调休政策。
- 节假日加班可以调休。
- 我需要申请调休。
When someone wants to take time off from work, but it's not standard vacation time or sick leave. It might be to attend a personal appointment or for a short break after a period of intense work.
- 我明天想调休一下。
- 我可以调休半天吗？
- 我累了，想调休。
Discussing flexible work arrangements or balancing work and personal life. Employees might ask about the possibility of '调休' to manage their schedules better.
- 工作太忙了，可以调休吗？
- 调休能让我更好地安排时间。
- 我们公司比较灵活，可以调休。
When colleagues are talking about their days off, especially if it's not a regular weekend or public holiday. They might mention they are on '调休'.
- 我今天调休了。
- 你明天调休吗？
- 他最近经常调休。
In a more formal setting, like HR communications or internal memos, where policies about compensatory leave are outlined. This context focuses on the official use of the term.
- 请仔细阅读调休规定。
- 调休申请需要提前提交。
- 调休日期不能超过规定时间。
Conversation Starters
"你们公司有调休的政策吗？ (Does your company have a compensatory leave policy?)"
"你最近有调休的打算吗？ (Do you plan to take compensatory leave recently?)"
"你觉得调休对员工来说重要吗？ (Do you think compensatory leave is important for employees?)"
"你喜欢调休还是加班费？ (Do you prefer compensatory leave or overtime pay?)"
"如果可以调休，你会做什么？ (If you could take compensatory leave, what would you do?)"
Journal Prompts
Think about a time you worked overtime. Did you get to '调休'? If not, how did you feel about it?
Imagine you have a chance to '调休' next week. What would you do with that time and why?
Describe your ideal company policy regarding '调休'. What would it include?
Do you think '调休' helps with work-life balance? Explain your thoughts.
Compare '调休' with regular vacation days. What are the pros and cons of each?
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions调休 (diào xiū) is a verb that means 'to take compensatory leave'. It's used when you work on a public holiday or weekend and then take a day off later to make up for it. Think of it as trading a work day for a day off.
No, 调休 specifically refers to compensatory leave. It's not for sick leave (病假 - bìng jià) or annual leave (年假 - nián jià). It's always about getting time off to balance out extra work you've put in.
A regular day off is just that, a day off. 调休 implies that you've worked on a day you would normally have off (like a weekend or holiday) and now you're taking another day off as compensation for that extra work. There's a direct exchange involved.
Yes, 调休 is very common, especially around public holidays in China. Sometimes the government mandates specific 'make-up work days' to create longer holiday periods, and then people will 调休 to get those days back.
You could say: “我能调休吗？” (Wǒ néng diào xiū ma?) - Can I take compensatory leave? Or, if you have a specific day in mind: “我下周一可以调休吗？” (Wǒ xià zhōu yī kěyǐ diào xiū ma?) - Can I take compensatory leave next Monday?
Sure: “因为周末加班，所以他今天调休了。” (Yīnwèi zhōumò jiābān, suǒyǐ tā jīntiān diào xiū le.) - Because he worked overtime on the weekend, he took compensatory leave today.
Usually, 调休 refers to a full day. While it's possible for some companies to offer half-day compensation, the standard understanding of 调休 is a full day of leave.
Not necessarily automatically. It depends on your company's policy. Some companies might offer overtime pay instead of 调休. Always check with your HR or manager about the specific arrangements.
This also depends on company policy. Some companies might require you to take your 调休 within a certain timeframe (e.g., within a month or a quarter), while others might be more flexible. It's best to clarify this with your employer.
The biggest one is confusing it with regular leave. Remember, 调休 is specifically about compensating for extra work done, usually on what would normally be a non-working day. It’s a direct exchange of work for time off.
Test Yourself 42 questions
因为工作，他今天不能休息，所以他要____。
Here, '调休' (tiáoxiū) means 'to take compensatory leave'. The sentence implies he can't rest today because of work, so he needs to take a compensatory day off.
我周末加班了，所以下周我可以____一天。
If you work overtime on the weekend, it's common to '调休' (tiáoxiū) or take a compensatory day off during the week.
她想在生日那天____，和家人一起庆祝。
To celebrate her birthday with family, she would want to '调休' (tiáoxiū) or take a compensatory day off.
如果你今天有事不能来，可以和经理申请____。
If you can't come to work today for some reason, you can apply for '调休' (tiáoxiū) or compensatory leave with your manager.
因为项目很忙，我们常常需要____。
When a project is busy, it often means working extra hours, so '调休' (tiáoxiū) is a common arrangement.
他请了____去参加朋友的婚礼。
To attend a friend's wedding, he would likely ask for '调休' (tiáoxiū) or compensatory leave.
Tomorrow, I need to take compensatory leave.
When will you take compensatory leave?
She is taking compensatory leave next week.
Read this aloud:
我今天调休。
Focus: 调休 (tiáo xiū)
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
他要去调休。
Focus: 要去 (yào qù)
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
我们明天不调休。
Focus: 不调休 (bù tiáo xiū)
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Which of the following situations would most likely involve 调休?
调休 (diàoxiū) specifically refers to taking compensatory leave, usually for working extra hours on a public holiday or weekend.
If your boss says, '你周末加班，下周可以调休一天。' What does it mean you can do next week?
调休 (diàoxiū) means to take compensatory leave. So, working overtime on the weekend allows you a day off next week.
Which sentence correctly uses 调休?
调休 (diàoxiū) is used when you get a day off to compensate for working extra hours, often on weekends or holidays. The second option is the only one that reflects this.
If you take 调休, it means you are taking a regular vacation day.
调休 (diàoxiū) is specifically compensatory leave, not a regular vacation day.
You can 调休 because you worked extra hours on a holiday.
调休 (diàoxiū) is often used in situations where you work on a public holiday or weekend and get a day off later as compensation.
If you don't feel well, you can say '我今天调休。'
调休 (diàoxiū) means to take compensatory leave, not a sick day. For feeling unwell, you would say '我今天请病假' (I'm taking a sick leave today).
You worked extra hours last weekend. Write a short message to your boss asking for compensatory leave next Friday. Include a reason why you need Friday off.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
老板，我上周末加了班，想申请下周五调休一天。我需要去看医生。 (Boss, I worked overtime last weekend, and I'd like to apply for a compensatory day off next Friday. I need to see a doctor.)
Your friend is asking you to go hiking this Saturday, but you have to work. You tell them you will try to take compensatory leave next week to join them. Write your response.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我这周六要加班，不能去爬山了。我看看下周能不能调休，然后再告诉你。 (I have to work overtime this Saturday, so I can't go hiking. I'll see if I can take compensatory leave next week and then let you know.)
Describe a situation where you might need to take compensatory leave.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
如果我周末有紧急的工作需要处理，但是我已经安排了其他事情，我就会和老板申请调休。 (If I have urgent work to deal with on the weekend, but I have already arranged other things, I will apply for compensatory leave with my boss.)
小李为什么今天在家休息？ (Why is Xiao Li resting at home today?)
Read this passage:
小李上周日加班了，所以他今天调休。他现在在家休息。 (Xiao Li worked overtime last Sunday, so he is taking compensatory leave today. He is resting at home now.)
小李为什么今天在家休息？ (Why is Xiao Li resting at home today?)
Passage states he worked overtime on Sunday and is therefore taking compensatory leave today.
Passage states he worked overtime on Sunday and is therefore taking compensatory leave today.
公司员工什么时候可以调休？ (When can the company employees take compensatory leave?)
Read this passage:
因为公司有一个很重要的项目，所以大家这个月加班很多。经理说下个月可以给大家调休。 (Because the company has a very important project, everyone has been working a lot of overtime this month. The manager said everyone can take compensatory leave next month.)
公司员工什么时候可以调休？ (When can the company employees take compensatory leave?)
The passage clearly states '经理说下个月可以给大家调休' (The manager said everyone can take compensatory leave next month).
The passage clearly states '经理说下个月可以给大家调休' (The manager said everyone can take compensatory leave next month).
学校为什么给王老师调休？ (Why did the school give Teacher Wang compensatory leave?)
Read this passage:
王老师为了准备期末考试，连续工作了三天。学校决定给她两天调休。 (Teacher Wang worked continuously for three days to prepare for the final exam. The school decided to give her two days of compensatory leave.)
学校为什么给王老师调休？ (Why did the school give Teacher Wang compensatory leave?)
The passage says '王老师为了准备期末考试，连续工作了三天。学校决定给她两天调休。' (Teacher Wang worked continuously for three days to prepare for the final exam. The school decided to give her two days of compensatory leave.)
The passage says '王老师为了准备期末考试，连续工作了三天。学校决定给她两天调休。' (Teacher Wang worked continuously for three days to prepare for the final exam. The school decided to give her two days of compensatory leave.)
Imagine you worked extra hours on a national holiday. Write a short message to your manager asking to take compensatory leave next week. Include when you worked extra and when you'd like to take your leave. Use "调休".
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
经理，您好。我在国庆节加了班，想申请下周三调休一天，可以吗？(Hello, Manager. I worked overtime during the National Day holiday, and I'd like to apply for one day of compensatory leave next Wednesday, is that okay?)
Your friend is complaining about working too much. Suggest that they ask their boss for compensatory leave. Write a two-sentence reply using "调休".
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
你最近工作太累了，应该和老板说说，申请调休几天休息一下。(You've been working too hard recently. You should talk to your boss and apply for a few days of compensatory leave to rest.)
Describe a situation where you would need to take compensatory leave. Write two sentences. Use "调休".
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
上个周末我加班了，所以这周我想申请一天调休。(Last weekend I worked overtime, so this week I want to apply for a day of compensatory leave.)
小李为什么想调休？(Why does Xiao Li want to take compensatory leave?)
Read this passage:
因为上周六公司组织活动，小李自愿加班了。现在他想申请下周五调休，好好休息一下。但是经理告诉他，下周工作任务重，不方便调休。
小李为什么想调休？(Why does Xiao Li want to take compensatory leave?)
文章中明确提到“因为上周六公司组织活动，小李自愿加班了”，所以他想调休。(The passage clearly states 'Because the company organized an event last Saturday, Xiao Li voluntarily worked overtime,' so he wants to take compensatory leave.)
文章中明确提到“因为上周六公司组织活动，小李自愿加班了”，所以他想调休。(The passage clearly states 'Because the company organized an event last Saturday, Xiao Li voluntarily worked overtime,' so he wants to take compensatory leave.)
根据公司规定，员工加班后有哪些选择？(According to company regulations, what options do employees have after working overtime?)
Read this passage:
公司规定，如果员工在法定节假日加班，可以选择获得加班费或者调休。小王选择了调休，这样他就可以和家人一起过周末。
根据公司规定，员工加班后有哪些选择？(According to company regulations, what options do employees have after working overtime?)
文章中提到“可以选择获得加班费或者调休”，说明员工有两种选择。(The passage mentions 'can choose to get overtime pay or compensatory leave,' indicating employees have two options.)
文章中提到“可以选择获得加班费或者调休”，说明员工有两种选择。(The passage mentions 'can choose to get overtime pay or compensatory leave,' indicating employees have two options.)
小张为什么喜欢调休？(Why does Xiao Zhang like compensatory leave?)
Read this passage:
我的同事小张常常加班到很晚。虽然他很辛苦，但是他从来不抱怨。他喜欢在工作完成后申请调休，去爬山或者钓鱼。他说这样能让他更好地放松。
小张为什么喜欢调休？(Why does Xiao Zhang like compensatory leave?)
文章中明确指出“他说这样能让他更好地放松”，所以小张喜欢调休是为了放松。(The passage clearly states 'He says this allows him to relax better,' so Xiao Zhang likes compensatory leave for relaxation.)
文章中明确指出“他说这样能让他更好地放松”，所以小张喜欢调休是为了放松。(The passage clearly states 'He says this allows him to relax better,' so Xiao Zhang likes compensatory leave for relaxation.)
因为项目提前完成，老板允许我们下周一___。
句子表示因为提前完成项目，所以老板允许员工在下周一不工作。'调休'指用加班时间来抵扣休息时间，符合语境。
上周末我加了班，所以今天可以___半天。
根据语境，上周末加班是为了今天可以休息半天，'调休'指用加班来换取休息，与句意吻合。
公司规定，如果周末工作，可以在工作日___。
公司允许周末工作后在工作日进行休息，'调休'是合适的表达。
他因为连轴转了好几天，申请了周二___一天。
连轴转了几天说明工作强度大，需要休息，'调休'表示用加班时间来抵扣。
很多公司会提供___政策，鼓励员工加班。
为了鼓励加班，公司可能会提供调休政策，让员工可以在其他时间休息。
这次展会结束以后，我们可以集体___两天。
展会结束通常意味着工作告一段落，可以利用之前的工作时间来换取休息，'调休'符合语境。
The speaker is talking about taking compensatory leave.
Listen for how compensatory leave time can be accumulated.
The speaker is giving advice about applying for compensatory leave.
Read this aloud:
你能告诉我你上次调休是什么时候吗？
Focus: 调休 (diàoxiū)
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
在你们公司，调休的政策是怎样的？
Focus: 政策 (zhèngcè)
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
你觉得调休对员工来说重要吗？为什么？
Focus: 重要 (zhòngyào)
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
/ 42 correct
Perfect score!
Related Content
More work words
充裕的
B2Abundant, ample, or sufficient in quantity.
事故
A2accident; mishap
依照
A2According to; in accordance with.
准确地
A2accurately, precisely
做到
A2to achieve; to accomplish
积极地
A2actively; enthusiastically
应变
B2Adaptive; capable of dealing with emergencies.
行政
A2Administration; the management of affairs.
过后
A2Afterwards; at a later or subsequent time.
赞同
A2To approve of, to endorse; to agree with or support.
