This page in your language

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

A2 verb #3,500 most common 13 min read

放假

fang jia Top 3,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 放假 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 放假 in your Level:

At the A1 level, 放假 (fàngjià) is introduced as a simple way to say 'to have a holiday.' Beginners learn it as a fixed phrase to describe days when there is no school or work. You will mostly use it in very short sentences like '明天放假' (Tomorrow is a holiday) or '我们放假了' (We are on holiday). At this stage, you don't need to worry too much about the complex grammar of separable verbs. Just think of it as a single action. You might use it to talk about the weekend or big festivals like the Spring Festival. It's a very 'happy' word for students to learn because it means no homework! You should also learn to recognize the character 假, but be careful because it looks like other characters. Focus on the 'release' (放) part to remember that you are being released from your duties. Even at this level, understanding that '放假' is something that 'happens' to you (given by the school or company) is helpful.

At the A2 level, you start to see the 'separable' nature of 放假 (fàngjià). This is where you learn that you cannot just say '放假三天' for 'three days of holiday.' Instead, you must put the time in the middle: 放三天假. This is a key grammar point for A2. You will also learn to use it with '什么时候' (when) to ask about holiday schedules: '你什么时候放假？' You should also be able to distinguish between 放假 and 请假 (asking for leave). A2 learners should be comfortable talking about their basic holiday plans using this word, such as '放假的时候，我回老家' (During the holiday, I go back to my hometown). You'll also learn specific holiday names like 暑假 (summer break) and 寒假 (winter break) and how to use '放' with them.

By B1, you should be using 放假 (fàngjià) fluently in more complex sentence structures. You will use it with various aspects like '了', '过', and '着'. For example, '我已经放了三天假了' (I have already been on holiday for three days). You will also start to use it in the context of travel and planning, often combining it with words like 打算 (plan) or 决定 (decide). B1 learners should understand the cultural context of holidays in China, such as the 'Golden Weeks' and how 放假 affects society (crowds, travel prices). You might also encounter it in more formal contexts, like reading a notice from a company about the holiday schedule. You should also be able to use related nouns like 假期 and 假日 correctly in tandem with the verb 放假.

At the B2 level, you are expected to understand the nuances of 放假 (fàngjià) in professional and social discussions. This includes the controversial topic of 调休 (reshuffling workdays to create longer holidays). You should be able to discuss the pros and cons of this system using 放假 as a base. You will also see it used in more abstract ways, such as '给心灵放个假' (give your soul a holiday/break). B2 learners should be able to use the word in formal writing, such as an email explaining office closures. You will also encounter it in news reports about the economy and how '放假' affects the retail and tourism sectors. Your use of the separable verb structure should be flawless, and you should be able to insert complex modifiers into the middle of the verb and object.

At the C1 level, 放假 (fàngjià) is used in sophisticated discussions about labor laws, workers' rights, and social trends. You might analyze how the frequency and duration of 放假 impact national productivity and mental health. You will understand the historical evolution of holidays in Chinese-speaking regions. C1 learners can use the word in literary or highly formal contexts, perhaps using it metaphorically. You will also be familiar with regional variations in how the word is used or how holidays are structured (e.g., differences between Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan). You can participate in debates about whether the current 放假 system meets the needs of a modern, fast-paced society, using a wide range of vocabulary related to leisure and labor.

At the C2 level, your mastery of 放假 (fàngjià) is near-native. You can appreciate the word's role in literature and film, where it might represent a theme of escape, transition, or the passage of time. You understand the deepest cultural connotations, including the linguistic roots of the characters and how the concept of 'leave' has changed from ancient times to the present. You can use the word in any register, from street slang to academic discourse on sociology. You are also fully aware of the subtle psychological effects that the 'state of 放假' has on the Chinese populace. You can effortlessly navigate the complexities of official holiday announcements and the social dynamics they trigger, providing expert commentary on the cultural significance of 'releasing' oneself from duty in a society that values hard work so highly.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

放假 in 30 Seconds

放假 (fàngjià) is a verb meaning 'to have a holiday' or 'to be on vacation,' typically granted by an official institution like a school or employer.
It is a separable verb (离合词), so time durations like 'three days' must be placed between 'fàng' and 'jià' (e.g., 放三天假).
Commonly used for public holidays, school breaks (summer/winter), and corporate-mandated time off, carrying a strong sense of relief and social planning.
Distinguish from '请假' (to ask for leave) and '度假' (to spend a vacation/travel); '放假' is the state of being released from duty.

The Chinese term 放假 (fàngjià) is a quintessential part of life in the Chinese-speaking world, representing the transition from duty to leisure. At its core, it is a verb-object construction where fàng means 'to release' or 'to let go,' and jià refers to 'holiday' or 'leave.' Together, they describe the act of being released from work or school for a period of rest. This isn't just about a single day off; it encompasses everything from a national public holiday to a personal vacation or a school break. Understanding this word requires more than just knowing its translation; it requires an appreciation for the rhythm of Chinese society. In mainland China, for instance, the government centrally mandates the schedule for major holidays, often resulting in massive migrations of people returning to their hometowns. When a student says they are 放假, they might be referring to the long summer or winter breaks that define the academic year. When an employee mentions it, they might be talking about the upcoming Spring Festival or National Day Golden Week. The term carries a heavy emotional weight of relief and anticipation, as it marks the break from the often high-pressure environments of Chinese education and professional life.

Grammatical Nature: It is a separable verb (离合词). This means you can insert other words between 'fàng' and 'jià', such as duration or adjectives: 放三天假 (to have three days of holiday).

我们学校下个星期开始放假。 (Our school starts its holiday next week.)

The usage of 放假 extends into various social registers. In a formal setting, such as a company announcement, you might hear '公司将于明天起放假' (The company will have a holiday starting tomorrow). In a casual setting, friends might ask each other, '你什么时候放假？' (When do you go on holiday?). It is also used in the context of specific types of leave, although '请假' (qǐngjià) is used for requesting leave. 放假 usually implies that the holiday is granted by the institution or is part of a pre-set schedule. It is the 'state' of being on holiday. For English speakers, it is important to distinguish this from 'vacationing' in the sense of traveling (旅游 lǚyóu). While you might travel during your 放假, the word itself simply means the cessation of work or school duties.

Cultural Implication: In China, '放假' often involves '调休' (tiáoxiū) — the practice of working on weekends to 'make up' for longer holiday periods. This is a common topic of conversation and sometimes frustration.

快要放假了，你有什么计划？ (It's almost holiday time, what plans do you have?)

Furthermore, the word is deeply tied to the lunar calendar in many East Asian cultures. When people talk about '放年假' (fàng niánjià), they are often referring to the most significant holiday of the year, the Lunar New Year. This period is the world's largest annual human migration, as hundreds of millions '放假' and head home. Therefore, the word carries a sense of family reunion and tradition. It is not just about 'not working'; it is about returning to one's roots. Even in modern corporate environments, the announcement of the holiday schedule is a major event. It dictates when people can book flights or train tickets, which often sell out within minutes of the 放假 dates being made public. Thus, 放假 is a word that bridges the gap between the mundane reality of labor and the celebratory nature of cultural heritage.

Usage in Media: News headlines frequently use '放假安排' (holiday arrangements) to inform the public about official dates set by the State Council.

Mastering 放假 (fàngjià) requires understanding its status as a 'separable verb' (离合词). In Chinese, these verbs consist of a verb part (放) and an object part (假). The most critical rule for learners is that you cannot simply place a duration after the whole word. For example, 'I have a holiday for three days' is not '我放假三天' in standard grammar, but rather '我放三天假'. The number and the measure word for time must split the verb and the object. This structure is common in Chinese and is a hallmark of moving from beginner to intermediate proficiency. When you want to describe the start of a holiday, you use 开始放假. To describe the end, you might say 放完假 or 假放完了. This flexibility allows for nuanced expression of time and state.

The Duration Rule: Structure: [Verb] + [Duration] + [Object]. Example: 放 (verb) + 一个月 (duration) + 假 (object) = 放一个月假 (to have a one-month holiday).

我们每年夏天都放两个月假。 (We have two months of holiday every summer.)

Another important aspect is the use of particles like 了 (le). Because '放' is the action part, the particle '了' usually follows it directly: 放了假. If you say '放假了', it often functions as a sentence-final particle indicating a change of state, meaning 'The holiday has started!' or 'It's holiday time now!' This is a very common exclamation among students on the last day of school. Additionally, you can add adjectives to describe the type of holiday. For instance, 放长假 means to have a long holiday, while 放个小假 might mean having a short break. The word is incredibly versatile because it can accommodate these internal modifications so easily.

Passive vs. Active: Usually, the subject is the person or institution. '学校放假' (The school gives a holiday) vs. '学生放假' (The students have a holiday).

因为天气不好，公司今天放了一天假。 (Because the weather was bad, the company gave a day off today.)

Finally, consider the interaction with other verbs. You might say 放假去旅游 (to go traveling during the holiday) or 放假回家 (to go home during the holiday). In these cases, '放假' acts as the temporal background for the main action. It sets the scene. In more advanced usage, you might see it in rhetorical questions like '你不是放假了吗？' (Aren't you on holiday?), implying that the person shouldn't be working or should be elsewhere. The word also appears in conditional sentences: '如果明天放假，我们就去爬山' (If we have a holiday tomorrow, we will go mountain climbing). By understanding these patterns, you can use 放假 not just as a static vocabulary item, but as a dynamic tool for communication.

Common Topic: Asking '放假去哪儿玩？' (Where are you going for the holiday?) is one of the most common small talk starters in China.

In the daily life of a person living in China, Taiwan, or Singapore, 放假 (fàngjià) is a word that rings out in many different environments. The most common place is likely the workplace. Every year, usually in late November or December, the Chinese State Council releases the official holiday schedule for the following year. This announcement is met with intense scrutiny. You will hear colleagues in the office discussing '放假安排' (holiday arrangements), specifically looking at how many days they get for the Spring Festival (春节) or the National Day (国庆节). Because these holidays often involve shifting weekend workdays (调休), the conversation usually revolves around whether the 放假 is actually a 'real' break or just a reshuffled schedule. You'll hear phrases like '今年国庆放七天假' (This year for National Day we have seven days of holiday).

In Schools: Students are the primary users. '放寒假' (winter break) and '放暑假' (summer break) are the two biggest events in a student's calendar. You'll hear them shouting '放假了!' on the last day of the semester.

广播：由于大雪，全校今天放假一天。 (Broadcast: Due to heavy snow, the whole school is off for one day today.)

Another major setting is public transport and travel agencies. Around the times when people 放假, railway stations (火车站) and airports are flooded. You will hear announcements about '放假期间' (during the holiday period) regarding increased train frequencies or safety warnings. Travel agencies will advertise '放假特惠' (holiday specials) or '放假旅游团' (holiday tour groups). If you are in a taxi, the driver might ask you, '放假回家吗？' (Are you going home for the holiday?). It becomes a universal theme of conversation that transcends social classes. Even in the news, economic analysts will discuss the '放假经济' (holiday economy), referring to the massive surge in consumer spending during these periods.

In Modern Media: Social media platforms like Weibo or WeChat are filled with '放假倒计时' (holiday countdowns) as people eagerly await their time off.

电视新闻：国务院发布了明年的放假通知。 (TV News: The State Council has issued next year's holiday notice.)

Finally, the word is heard in family settings. Parents will talk about when their children 放假 so they can plan family visits or extra-curricular classes. In the weeks leading up to the Spring Festival, the phrase '放假回家' becomes a mantra for millions of migrant workers. It signifies a return to the family hearth. You'll hear it in heart-wrenching stories of people struggling to get train tickets just so they can 放假 with their loved ones. In short, 放假 is not just a vocabulary word; it is a pulse point for the collective movement of society, reflecting the values of hard work balanced by the essential need for rest and family connection.

Retail & Service: Small shops might hang a sign saying '放假休息' (Closed for holiday) during the New Year, indicating they are not open for business.

For English speakers learning Chinese, 放假 (fàngjià) presents several grammatical and conceptual hurdles. The most frequent mistake is treating it as a standard transitive verb that can be followed directly by a time duration. In English, we say 'I had a holiday for three days.' A direct translation often leads students to say '我放假三天.' While this is sometimes understood in casual speech, it is grammatically incorrect in formal Chinese. The correct structure for a separable verb is to place the duration between the verb and the object: 放三天假. This 'splitting' of the word is a major point of confusion. Another error is confusing 放假 with 请假 (qǐngjià). 放假 refers to a holiday that is given to everyone or is part of a schedule (like a weekend or public holiday). 请假 means to ask for permission to be absent (like calling in sick or taking a personal day). If you tell your boss '我想放假,' it sounds like you are suggesting the whole office take a holiday, rather than asking for your own personal time off!

Mistake 1: Word Order: Incorrect: *放假两个星期 (fàngjià liǎng gè xīngqī). Correct: 放两个星期假 (fàng liǎng gè xīngqī jià).

错误：我明天要放假去医院。 (Incorrect: I want to have a holiday to go to the hospital. Use '请假' instead.)

A second conceptual mistake involves the difference between 放假 and 旅游 (lǚyóu). Many students use 放假 to mean 'going on a trip.' While you often travel during a holiday, the word 放假 only refers to the period of not working. If someone asks what you did over the weekend, and you say '我放假了,' it just means you didn't work. If you want to say you went to Paris, you must use '去旅游' or '去度假' (dùjià - to spend a vacation). Furthermore, there is the 'tone trap.' The character 假 has two pronunciations: jià (4th tone) means holiday, while jiǎ (3rd tone) means fake or false. Saying 'fàng jiǎ' with a third tone would sound like 'releasing a fake,' which makes no sense in this context. Precision in tones is vital here.

Mistake 2: Mixing with '假期': '放假' is a verb; '假期' is a noun. Incorrect: *我的放假很开心. Correct: 我的假期很开心 (My holiday was very happy).

错误：老师给我们的放假太短了。 (Incorrect: The 'holidaying' the teacher gave us is too short. Use '假期'.)

Finally, learners often struggle with the 'start and end' of holidays. In English, we 'are on' holiday. In Chinese, you either 在放假 (are currently in the state of having a holiday) or 过假 (spending the holiday). Using '是' (to be) with 放假 is a common 'Chinglish' error. For example, 'Tomorrow is a holiday' should be '明天放假' or '明天是假日,' not '明天是放假.' By keeping these distinctions in mind—separable verb structure, 'give' vs. 'ask' for leave, verb vs. noun usage, and tone accuracy—you will avoid the most common pitfalls that plague beginners and intermediate students alike.

Summary of Errors: 1. Wrong word order with time. 2. Confusing with 'ask for leave'. 3. Confusing verb with noun. 4. Wrong tone on 'jia'.

While 放假 (fàngjià) is the most common way to say 'to have a holiday,' Chinese offers several synonyms and related terms that carry different nuances. Understanding these will help you choose the right word for the right situation. The most closely related word is 度假 (dùjià). While 放假 simply means you are released from work, 度假 specifically means 'to spend a vacation,' usually implying travel, relaxation, or going to a resort. If you are staying at home during your time off, you are 放假; if you go to Hawaii, you are 去度假. Another common alternative is 休息 (xiūxi). This is a broader term meaning 'to rest.' It can refer to a 10-minute break, a good night's sleep, or a weekend. While all 放假 involves 休息, not all 休息 is a 放假.

放假 vs. 度假: 放假: Being off work/school. 度假: Actively spending time on vacation (often traveling).

我们打算去三亚度假，因为公司下周放假。 (We plan to go to Sanya for vacation because the company is having a holiday next week.)

Then there are the nouns. 假期 (jiàqī) refers to the 'holiday period' or the 'vacation time' itself. You might talk about your 'summer holiday' as '暑假假期.' 节日 (jiérì) refers to a 'festival' or 'commemorative day,' like Christmas or the Dragon Boat Festival. Not all 节日 result in a 放假. For example, Teacher's Day is a 节日, but schools usually don't 放假. Conversely, 节假日 (jiéjiàrì) is a formal term encompassing both festivals and holidays, often used in legal or official documents to refer to 'public holidays.'

放假 vs. 请假: 放假: Scheduled/Universal break. 请假: Personal/Requested time off.

虽然明天不放假，但我还是想请假。 (Although tomorrow isn't a holiday, I still want to ask for leave.)

For more specific contexts, you might hear 休假 (xiūjià), which is a formal way to say 'to take leave' or 'to be on vacation,' often used in professional settings (e.g., 'he is currently on leave'). In the military or certain government jobs, 探亲假 (tànqīnjià) refers to home leave to visit family. For students, the terms 暑假 (shǔjià) and 寒假 (hánjià) are almost always used instead of the generic 放假 when referring to the specific seasons. By learning these distinctions, you move from a basic 'one-size-fits-all' vocabulary to a more sophisticated and precise way of expressing the various ways we step away from our daily responsibilities.

Specific Holiday Types: 年假 (niánjià): Annual leave. 病假 (bìngjià): Sick leave. 事假 (shìjià): Personal leave.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The character '假' for holiday originally shared roots with the concept of 'borrowing' time from work. In ancient China, officials were granted 'bathing holidays' (休沐) every few days to clean themselves.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /fʌŋ dʒiɑː/

US /fɑŋ dʒiɑ/

The stress is equal on both syllables, though the 4th tone on 'jià' makes it sound more emphatic.

Rhymes With

上架 (shàngjià) 降价 (jiàngjià) 评价 (píngjià) 代价 (dàijià) 框架 (kuàngjià) 唱法 (chàngfǎ - near rhyme) 状况 (zhuàngkuàng - near rhyme) 方向 (fāngxiàng - near rhyme)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'jià' as 'jiǎ' (3rd tone), which means 'fake'.
Not using a sharp falling tone for the 4th tones on both characters.
Muffling the 'ng' sound in 'fàng'.
Treating 'jia' like the English 'ja' instead of 'j-ia'.
Failing to aspirate the 'f' correctly.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Characters are relatively simple but '假' has two tones.

Writing 3/5

The character '假' has many strokes and a complex structure.

Speaking 3/5

Separable verb grammar is a common stumbling block.

Listening 2/5

Very common word, easy to recognize in context.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

放假时间天星期

Learn Next

度假请假旅游安排打算

Advanced

调休法定节假日带薪休假职业倦怠

Grammar to Know

Separable Verbs (离合词)

放三天假 (fàng sān tiān jià)

Change of State with '了'

放假了！ (fàngjià le!)

Duration of Action

放了两个星期假 (fàng le liǎng gè xīngqī jià)

Time Phrases as Adverbials

放假的时候 (fàngjià de shíhòu)

Resultative Complements

假放完了 (jià fàng wán le)

Examples by Level

明天放假。

Tomorrow is a holiday.

Simple Subject + Verb construction.

我们放假了！

We are on holiday!

The 'le' indicates a change of state.

你什么时候放假？

When do you have a holiday?

Asking a 'when' question.

我不放假。

I don't have a holiday.

Negative form using 'bu'.

老师放假吗？

Is the teacher on holiday?

Simple question with 'ma'.

周末放假。

The weekend is a holiday.

Time noun used as subject.

春节放假。

There is a holiday for Spring Festival.

Noun + Verb.

今天不放假。

Today is not a holiday.

Negation of the current state.

我们放三天假。

We have three days of holiday.

Separable verb: duration goes in the middle.

你想放几天假？

How many days of holiday do you want?

Questioning duration within the separable verb.

公司下个星期放假。

The company has a holiday next week.

Future time reference.

放假的时候，我去北京。

During the holiday, I go to Beijing.

Using '...de shíhòu' to indicate time.

学校放假两个月。

The school has a holiday for two months.

Duration with measure word.

你放假回家吗？

Are you going home during the holiday?

Combining holiday state with an action.

他们放了一个星期的假。

They had a one-week holiday.

Past action with 'le' inside the verb.

快要放假了，我很开心。

It's almost holiday time, I'm very happy.

Kuàiyào...le indicates 'soon'.

如果明天放假，我们就去爬山。

If we have a holiday tomorrow, we will go mountain climbing.

Conditional 'rúguǒ' sentence.

我还没想好放假去哪儿。

I haven't decided where to go for the holiday yet.

Negative perfect aspect with 'hái méi'.

因为放假，路上的人很多。

Because of the holiday, there are many people on the road.

Cause and effect with 'yīnwèi'.

每年夏天，学生们都会放长假。

Every summer, students will have a long holiday.

Using 'huì' for habitual action.

我们公司只放一天假。

Our company only gives one day of holiday.

Using 'zhǐ' for limitation.

你打算怎么过这个放假？

How do you plan to spend this holiday?

Using 'dǎsuàn' for planning.

放假前，我必须把工作做完。

Before the holiday, I must finish the work.

Using '...qián' for 'before'.

听说他们学校下周不放假。

I heard their school isn't having a holiday next week.

Reporting hearsay with 'tīngshuō'.

国务院发布了国庆节放假安排。

The State Council issued the National Day holiday arrangements.

Formal vocabulary like 'fābù' and 'ānpái'.

虽然放假了，但他还在加班。

Although he is on holiday, he is still working overtime.

Concession structure 'suīrán...dànshì'.

由于调休，这个周末我们不放假。

Due to the adjusted schedule, we don't have a holiday this weekend.

Explaining the 'tiáoxiū' system.

你应该给自己放个假，休息一下。

You should give yourself a break and rest a bit.

Metaphorical use of 'fàngjià'.

放假期间，景区的门票通常很贵。

During the holiday period, tickets for scenic spots are usually expensive.

Using 'qījiān' for a specific period.

他因为表现好，老板多放了他两天假。

Because he performed well, the boss gave him two extra days of holiday.

Complex separable verb with extra modifiers.

放假不仅是为了休息，也是为了陪家人。

Holiday is not only for resting but also for accompanying family.

Correlative conjunction 'bùjǐn...yěshì'.

大家都盼望着早点放假。

Everyone is looking forward to having a holiday sooner.

Using 'pànwàng' for longing.

放假制度的改革引起了社会的广泛讨论。

The reform of the holiday system has sparked widespread social discussion.

Abstract noun 'zhìdù' and verb 'yǐnqǐ'.

长时间不放假会导致员工产生职业倦怠。

Not having a holiday for a long time can lead to employee burnout.

Causal relationship with 'dǎozhì'.

政府通过增加放假天数来刺激旅游消费。

The government stimulates tourism consumption by increasing the number of holiday days.

Using 'tōngguò...lái' for means and ends.

在快节奏的都市生活中，放假成为了一种奢侈。

In fast-paced urban life, having a holiday has become a luxury.

Metaphorical and descriptive language.

企业应当保障员工依法放假的权利。

Enterprises should guarantee employees' right to have holidays according to the law.

Legalistic language like 'bǎozhàng' and 'yīfǎ'.

有些职业在别人放假时反而最忙碌。

Some professions are actually busiest when others are on holiday.

Using 'fán'ér' to show contrast.

放假模式的多元化反映了社会观念的进步。

The diversification of holiday patterns reflects the progress of social concepts.

High-level vocabulary like 'duōyuánhuà' and 'fǎnyìng'.

他好不容易才盼到了这几天的放假。

He finally got these few days of holiday after much anticipation.

Using 'hǎo bù róngyì' for difficulty.

放假之于劳动者，正如雨露之于禾苗。

Holidays are to workers what rain and dew are to seedlings.

Classical 'zhī yú' analogy structure.

我们不应仅仅关注放假的形式，更应关注其质量。

We should not just focus on the form of the holiday, but more on its quality.

Philosophical contrast.

放假天数的微调往往牵动着千万家庭的神经。

Slight adjustments to the number of holiday days often affect the nerves of millions of families.

Idiomatic 'qiāndòng...shénjīng'.

在文学作品中，放假常被赋予逃离现实的隐喻色彩。

In literary works, holidays are often given a metaphorical color of escaping reality.

Literary analysis vocabulary.

放假期间的报复性消费折射出人们平时的压力。

Revenge spending during holidays reflects people's usual pressure.

Sociological term 'bàofùxìng xiāofèi'.

如何平衡生产效率与放假休息，是现代管理的难题。

How to balance production efficiency and holiday rest is a difficult problem in modern management.

Formal management discourse.

放假不仅仅是时间的停滞，更是精神的重塑。

A holiday is not just a stagnation of time, but a reshaping of the spirit.

Philosophical definition.

纵观历史，放假权力的演变是劳工运动的重要成果。

Looking across history, the evolution of the right to have holidays is an important achievement of the labor movement.

Historical perspective using 'zòngguān'.

Common Collocations

开始放假

放长假

放暑假

放寒假

放年假

放个假

放假安排

放几天假

放假通知

放完假

Common Phrases

放假了

— Holiday has started! Used as an exclamation.

放假了！我们可以去玩了！

放假回家

— Going home during the holiday period.

很多打工者春节都放假回家。

放假旅游

— Traveling during the holiday.

放假旅游的人特别多。

放假休息

— Resting during the holiday.

我只想在家里放假休息。

放假时间

— The duration or specific dates of a holiday.

请确认一下放假时间。

放假计划

— Plans for the holiday.

你有什么放假计划吗？

放个长假

— To take/have a long break.

他打算辞职前放个长假。

放假前夕

— The eve or period just before a holiday starts.

放假前夕，工作总是特别忙。

放假期间

— During the holiday period.

放假期间，商店照常营业。

准备放假

— Preparing for the holiday.

大家都在准备放假的心情。

Often Confused With

放假 vs 请假

To ask for leave (personal) vs being given a holiday (universal).

放假 vs 度假

To spend a vacation (implies travel/leisure) vs just being off work.

放假 vs 假日

The noun 'holiday/day off' vs the verb 'to have a holiday'.

Idioms & Expressions

"放虎归山"

— Literally 'releasing the tiger back to the mountain'; letting a threat go free. Uses '放' but unrelated to holidays.

这样做无异于放虎归山。

Literary

"偷闲躲静"

— To steal a moment of leisure. Related to the 'spirit' of a holiday.

他在忙碌中偷闲躲静。

Neutral

"悠哉游哉"

— To be leisurely and carefree, often describing the feeling of being on holiday.

放假时，他悠哉游哉地散步。

Literary

"忙里偷闲"

— To find a bit of time for leisure in the midst of a busy schedule.

放假前，我也要忙里偷闲喝杯咖啡。

Neutral

"无忧无虑"

— Carefree and without worries, the ideal state of a holiday.

放假的孩子们无忧无虑。

Common

"欢天喜地"

— With great joy and happiness, often describing the mood when a holiday is announced.

听说要放假，同学们欢天喜地。

Common

"归心似箭"

— With a heart like a flying arrow, wanting to return home quickly (common before holidays).

快放假了，大家归心似箭。

Literary

"如释重负"

— As if relieved of a heavy burden; how one feels when the holiday starts.

放假那一刻，他如释重负。

Literary

"赏心悦目"

— Pleasing to both the eye and the mind, describing holiday scenery.

放假去山里看风景，真是赏心悦目。

Literary

"尽兴而归"

— To return home after having enjoyed oneself to the full.

这次放假旅游，我们尽兴而归。

Literary

Easily Confused

放假 vs 假 (jiǎ)

Same character, different tone.

Jiǎ (3rd tone) means fake; Jià (4th tone) means holiday.

这是假(jiǎ)货，不是放假(jià)。

放假 vs 假期 (jiàqī)

Both relate to holidays.

Jiàqī is a noun (the period); Fàngjià is a verb (the act).

我的假期(noun)结束了，我不再放假(verb)了。

放假 vs 休息 (xiūxi)

Both mean not working.

Xiūxi is general 'rest'; Fàngjià is an official 'holiday'.

周末我休息，但不是放假。

放假 vs 请假 (qǐngjià)

Both involve time off.

Qǐngjià is individual request; Fàngjià is institutional grant.

我生病了要请假，不是公司放假。

放假 vs 放学 (fàngxué)

Both start with '放'.

Fàngxué is daily end of school; Fàngjià is a multi-day break.

每天四点放学，但寒假才放假。

Sentence Patterns

Subject + [Time] + 放假

我们明天放假。

Subject + 放 + [Duration] + 假

我放五天假。

放假的时候 + Action

放假的时候我去旅游。

因为 + [Reason] + 放假

因为国庆节，公司放假。

关于 + 放假安排 + 的讨论

关于放假安排的讨论很多。

放假之于...正如...

放假之于员工正如阳光之于植物。

快要 + 放假 + 了

快要放假了！

放了 + [Duration] + 假

他放了一个月假。

Word Family

Nouns

假期 (jiàqī)

假日 (jiàrì)

节假日 (jiéjiàrì)

公假 (gōngjià)

Verbs

度假 (dùjià)

请假 (qǐngjià)

休假 (xiūjià)

补假 (bǔjià)

Adjectives

假性的 (jiǎxìng de - note: this uses the 'fake' meaning)

放假的 (fàngjià de)

旅游 (lǚyóu)

休息 (xiūxi)

春节 (chūnjié)

暑假 (shǔjià)

寒假 (hánjià)

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in daily life, especially around seasonal changes.

Common Mistakes

我放假三天。 → 我放三天假。
Separable verbs require the duration to be placed between the verb and the object.
明天是放假。 → 明天放假。
In Chinese, '放假' is a verb, so you don't need '是' (to be) before it.
我想放假一天去医院。 → 我想请假一天去医院。
Use '请假' for personal leave; '放假' is for general holidays.
我的放假很好。 → 我的假期很好。
'放假' is a verb. For the noun 'holiday/vacation', use '假期'.
学校放假了学生。 → 学校给学生放假了。
'放假' cannot take a direct object like 'students'. You must use '给' (to give).

Tips

Separable Verb Mastery

Always treat '放' as the verb and '假' as the object. If you have an 'already' (了) or a duration, put it after '放'.

The Golden Week Rush

If you hear someone is '放假回家', expect them to be dealing with huge crowds and difficult ticket bookings.

Tone Accuracy

Make sure 'jià' is a sharp falling tone. A 3rd tone (jiǎ) changes the meaning to 'fake'.

Verb vs. Noun

Don't say 'My fàngjià was good.' Say 'My jiàqī was good.' Use 'fàngjià' for the action.

Workplace Nuance

In an office, '放假' usually refers to the official schedule. For your own time off, use '请假'.

Small Talk

Asking '放假去哪儿？' is a perfect, polite way to start a conversation with colleagues or taxi drivers.

Official Notices

When you hear '放假安排' on the news, pay attention to '调休' so you know which weekends you might have to work.

Formal Emails

When writing an auto-reply, use '由于放假' (due to the holiday) to explain your absence.

The 'Release' Concept

Remember that '放' means to release. You are being released from the 'cage' of work/school.

Metaphorical Use

You can say '给心放个假' to mean 'give your heart/mind a rest,' which sounds very poetic in Chinese.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'fàng' as 'firing' the work away, and 'jià' as the 'joy' of a holiday. You are 'releasing' (放) the 'leave' (假).

Visual Association

Imagine a bird being released from a cage. The cage is your office/school, and the bird is you going on 'fàngjià'.

Word Web

休息 (rest) 旅游 (travel) 回家 (go home) 学生 (student) 老师 (teacher) 公司 (company) 开心 (happy) 时间 (time)

Challenge

Try to use '放假' in a sentence with a duration (like 5 days) three times today. Remember to put the '5 days' in the middle!

Word Origin

The word is a compound of '放' (fàng) and '假' (jià). '放' historically meant to release birds or animals, later extending to releasing people from duties. '假' in the 4th tone refers to 'leave' or 'holiday', distinct from the 3rd tone meaning 'false'.

Original meaning: To release from duty/service for a period of rest.

Sino-Tibetan (Chinese)

Cultural Context

Be aware that for many service workers (couriers, waiters), '放假' is the time they work the hardest while others rest.

Unlike the flexible 'vacation days' in the US or UK, Chinese '放假' is often rigid and collective, with everyone off at the same time.

The 'Golden Week' (黄金周) policy introduced in 1999. The song 'Happy Holiday' (although English, the sentiment is universal). Chinese news segments every December announcing the 'Holiday Schedule'.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

School

放暑假
放寒假
作业写完了吗？
放假多久？

Office

放年假
加班
放假安排
值班

Travel

订机票
酒店预订
人山人海
景区

Family

回家过年
团圆饭
放假几天？
带孩子去玩

News

国务院通知
高速免费
旅游收入
调休方案

Conversation Starters

"你放假打算去哪儿玩？"

"你们公司今年国庆放几天假？"

"放假的时候你通常做什么？"

"你喜欢放长假还是短假？"

"放假回家的人多吗？"

Journal Prompts

写一写你最难忘的一次放假经历。

如果你有三个月的放假，你会做什么？

你觉得现在的放假制度合理吗？为什么？

描述一下你放假第一天的感受。

讨论一下放假对身心健康的重要性。

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

In casual speech, people will understand you, but it is grammatically better to say '我放三天假' because '放假' is a separable verb.

'放假' means you don't have to work or go to school. '度假' means you are actively going somewhere to enjoy your vacation.

Usually, '放假' refers to public holidays or breaks. Regular weekends are often called '休息' or '双休', though '放假' can be used if it's a special weekend.

You say '放暑假' (fàng shǔjià).

You say '放寒假' (fàng hánjià).

It is neutral and used in both formal announcements and informal conversations.

No, for a sick day you should use '请病假' (qǐng bìngjià).

It means 'The holiday has finally started!' or 'School's out!'

You can ask '放几天假？' (How many days of holiday?) or '放多久假？' (How long of a holiday?)

No, it's a verb. Use '假期' or '假日' as the noun.