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B2 verb #3,000 most common 10 min read

请假

qingjia
Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 请假 in 30 Seconds
Explanation 请假 in your Level:
At the A1 level, learners are introduced to the most basic concepts of daily routine and survival vocabulary. The word 请假 (qǐngjià) is introduced as a simple chunk of vocabulary meaning 'to ask for leave' or 'to not go to work/school'. At this stage, learners do not need to worry about the complex grammar of separable verbs. They simply learn to recognize the word and use it in very basic, fixed sentence patterns. For example, a learner might say '我明天请假' (I will take leave tomorrow) or '老师，我想请假' (Teacher, I want to take leave). The focus is purely on communication and getting the message across that they will be absent. Teachers at this level will often accept slightly incorrect grammar (like '请假一天') just to build confidence, before correcting it later. Understanding the characters is also basic: 请 means 'please' or 'request', and 假 means 'holiday'. Even at A1, knowing how to say you cannot attend a class because you are sick is a critical survival skill. The vocabulary is heavily tied to words like 生病 (sick), 医生 (doctor), and 休息 (rest). Learners practice role-playing simple phone calls to a teacher or boss to say they are unwell and need to stay home. This foundational understanding sets the stage for more complex grammatical structures in later levels.
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At the A2 level, learners begin to construct more detailed sentences and start to understand the concept of giving reasons for their actions. The usage of 请假 expands from simple statements to sentences connected with '因为...所以...' (because... therefore...). For example, '因为我生病了，所以我想请假' (Because I am sick, therefore I want to ask for leave). At this stage, learners are also introduced to the basic idea that 请假 is a verb-object structure, although they might not master the insertion of durations yet. They learn specific types of leave, primarily 病假 (sick leave) and 事假 (personal leave), as these are the most common in daily life. The vocabulary expands to include interacting with authority figures, using prepositions like 向 (towards/to). For example, '我向老板请假' (I ask the boss for leave). A2 learners practice writing simple text messages or notes to teachers or supervisors explaining their absence. They also learn to ask questions like '我可以请假吗？' (Can I ask for leave?). The cultural aspect of needing permission is emphasized, teaching learners that taking time off requires a formal request rather than just a notification. This level bridges the gap between basic survival phrases and functional, polite workplace or school communication.
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At the B1 level, the grammatical complexity of 请假 takes center stage. Learners must now master the concept of separable verbs (离合词). They are taught that they can no longer say '请假三天'; they must say '请三天假' (ask for three days of leave). This is a major hurdle but a crucial step toward fluency. The structure 请 + [Duration] + 假 is practiced extensively. Furthermore, B1 learners learn to combine durations with specific types of leave, such as '请两天病假' (ask for two days of sick leave). The contexts become more professional. Learners practice scenarios involving HR (人事部), filling out leave application forms (请假条), and discussing approval (批准). They learn to express past actions correctly using aspect particles, understanding that '了' goes after the verb '请', resulting in '请了假'. Vocabulary expands to include terms like 迟到 (late), 早退 (leave early), and 旷工 (absenteeism). Role-plays involve negotiating time off with a manager, explaining complex reasons for absence (e.g., family emergencies, hospital appointments), and understanding company policies. By the end of B1, a learner should be able to confidently and grammatically correctly request specific amounts of time off for specific reasons in a standard Chinese workplace.
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At the B2 level, which is the target level for this word, learners are expected to use 请假 with high accuracy and nuance. They can navigate complex workplace scenarios and understand the subtle differences between various types of leave, such as 年假 (annual leave), 产假 (maternity leave), 婚假 (marriage leave), and 调休 (compensatory leave). The language used becomes more formal and polite. Learners can write professional emails requesting leave, using phrases like '特此请假，恳请批准' (I hereby request leave and earnestly seek your approval). They understand the cultural implications of taking leave in a fast-paced Chinese work environment and can express themselves diplomatically. B2 learners can also discuss the consequences of taking leave, such as 扣工资 (salary deduction) or affecting 绩效 (performance reviews). They can engage in debates or discussions about work-life balance, using '请假' in broader contexts rather than just personal requests. For example, discussing why employees in certain industries are afraid to '请假'. The grammar is expected to be flawless, effortlessly inserting durations, modifiers, and aspect particles into the separable verb structure. They can also understand native speakers using the term rapidly or in colloquial, abbreviated ways.
At the C1 level, learners possess a near-native command of the word 请假 and its associated vocabulary. They can easily handle complex, unpredictable situations regarding leave and absences. They understand legal and statutory rights regarding leave in China, such as 法定假日 (statutory holidays) versus 带薪休假 (paid leave). They can read and comprehend dense HR manuals and labor contracts detailing the exact procedures and conditions for '请假'. C1 learners can use idiomatic expressions and advanced vocabulary related to working and resting, such as 称病请假 (to feign illness to take leave) or 积劳成疾 (to break down from constant overwork). They can write highly persuasive and formal requests for extended leaves of absence (e.g., 停薪留职 - unpaid leave while retaining one's position). Furthermore, they can discuss the sociological aspects of '请假', such as the stigma of taking mental health days in traditional corporate cultures, or the impact of the '996' work schedule on employee well-being. Their use of the word is fluid, seamlessly integrating it into complex sentence structures with advanced conjunctions and rhetorical devices. They can also correct others' mistakes and explain the grammatical rules of separable verbs clearly.
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At the C2 level, the mastery of 请假 is absolute, encompassing not just linguistic perfection but deep cultural, historical, and sociological understanding. C2 users can analyze literature, news articles, or academic papers discussing labor rights, work culture, and the evolution of the 'leave system' (请假制度) in China. They can articulate nuanced arguments about the psychological barriers employees face when '请假' in hyper-competitive industries. They understand regional variations or industry-specific jargon related to taking time off. They can effortlessly deploy classical idioms or literary references when discussing rest and labor. At this level, the focus is not on how to use the word—that is second nature—but on how the concept of '请假' reflects broader societal values regarding duty, authority, and individual rights in Chinese society. They can draft legally binding documents or company policies regarding leave. They can engage in high-level negotiations or mediations involving disputes over denied leave or absenteeism. The word '请假' becomes a lens through which they can examine and discuss the intricacies of modern Chinese socioeconomic structures.
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Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

请假 in 30 Seconds

  • A crucial verb for asking for time off from work or school.
  • It is a separable verb (离合词), meaning durations go inside it.
  • Commonly paired with specific reasons like sick leave (病假).
  • Requires formal approval in Chinese work and school cultures.

The Chinese word 请假 (qǐngjià) is a fundamental vocabulary item for anyone navigating the Chinese-speaking working world or educational system. At its core, it means 'to ask for leave' or 'to request time off.' Understanding this word requires looking at its two constituent characters. The first character, 请 (qǐng), means 'to request,' 'to invite,' or 'please.' The second character, 假 (jià), means 'holiday,' 'vacation,' or 'leave of absence.' When combined, they form a verb-object compound (离合词 - separable verb) that literally translates to 'requesting a holiday.' This separable nature is the most crucial grammatical feature you must master, as it dictates how the word interacts with durations, quantities, and specific types of leave.

Morphology
Verb-Object Compound (离合词)
Literal Translation
To request (请) a leave/holiday (假)
Usage Context
Professional, academic, and formal settings.

Because it is a separable verb, you cannot simply append a duration after the complete word. For example, saying '请假三天' is grammatically incorrect in standard Mandarin, although you might hear it in very casual, colloquial speech. The correct structure is to insert the duration between the verb and the object: '请三天假' (literally: request three days of leave). This structural rule applies to almost all verb-object compounds in Chinese, such as 睡觉 (to sleep) or 吃饭 (to eat).

老板，我今天不太舒服，想请假。

Boss, I am not feeling well today and would like to ask for leave.

他因为家里有急事，请假回老家了。

Because of an emergency at home, he asked for leave to return to his hometown.

如果你要请假，必须提前填写申请表。

If you need to ask for leave, you must fill out the application form in advance.

她上周请假去旅游了。

She took time off to go traveling last week.

没有正当理由，公司不允许随便请假。

Without a valid reason, the company does not allow taking leave casually.

The cultural implications of taking leave in Chinese society are also worth noting. In highly competitive environments, such as companies practicing the '996' work culture (working 9 AM to 9 PM, 6 days a week), asking for leave can sometimes be viewed negatively unless it is for a severe illness or a major life event (like a wedding or a funeral). Therefore, the language used around '请假' is often polite, deferential, and accompanied by clear, justifiable reasons. You will frequently hear it paired with words like 批准 (to approve), 扣工资 (to deduct salary), and 请假条 (leave application form). Mastering this word is not just about vocabulary; it is about understanding the dynamics of Chinese workplace communication.

Using 请假 correctly requires a solid grasp of Chinese syntax, particularly concerning separable verbs (离合词). As mentioned, the verb is 请 (to request) and the object is 假 (leave). When you want to specify how long you are taking off, the duration must be placed between these two characters. The formula is: 请 + [Duration] + (的) + 假. The particle 的 is optional but often included for better rhythm or emphasis.

Syntax 1: Basic Request
Subject + 想/要 + 请假 (I want to ask for leave)
Syntax 2: With Duration
请 + [Duration] + 假 (e.g., 请三天假 - ask for 3 days off)
Syntax 3: With Target
向 + [Person] + 请假 (e.g., 向老板请假 - ask the boss for leave)

Another common usage involves specifying the type of leave. In Chinese, you don't usually say '请假因为生病' (ask for leave because of sickness) as a single noun phrase. Instead, you insert the specific type of leave directly into the compound, replacing the general '假' or modifying it. For example: 请病假 (to take sick leave), 请事假 (to take personal leave), 请年假 (to take annual leave), 请产假 (to take maternity leave), and 请婚假 (to take marriage leave). This makes the language highly efficient and specific.

我想向经理请假，因为我明天要去看医生。

I want to ask the manager for leave because I need to see a doctor tomorrow.

他已经请了一个星期的假。

He has already taken a week of leave.

由于感冒，我不得不请了两天病假。

Due to a cold, I had to take two days of sick leave.

请问，我应该怎么办理请假手续？

Excuse me, how should I go about the leave application procedures?

她正在休产假，下个月才回来上班。

She is currently on maternity leave and won't be back to work until next month.

When asking for leave, it is customary to provide a clear reason. The structure often looks like this: [Reason] + 所以 + [Request for leave]. For example: '我今天发烧了，所以想请一天假' (I have a fever today, so I want to take a day off). In formal settings, you might need to submit a 请假条 (leave slip/note), which is a written request detailing the start date, end date, and reason for the absence. Understanding these structural and cultural nuances ensures that your request is both grammatically correct and socially appropriate.

The word 请假 is ubiquitous in any environment where attendance is tracked or expected. The most common settings are the workplace and educational institutions. In a corporate environment, you will hear it in conversations between employees and HR (Human Resources), or between subordinates and managers. It is a staple of office communication, often appearing in emails, messaging apps like WeChat or DingTalk, and formal HR systems. In schools, students use it to inform teachers of their absence, and parents use it to excuse their children from classes.

Workplace (职场)
Discussing annual leave, sick days, or personal emergencies with managers or HR.
School (学校)
Students or parents informing teachers about absences due to illness or family matters.
Daily Life (日常生活)
Explaining to friends why someone is missing from a group gathering or event.

In modern Chinese corporate culture, especially with the rise of digital office platforms like DingTalk (钉钉) or Enterprise WeChat (企业微信), the process of '请假' has become highly digitized. Employees submit a '请假流程' (leave workflow) through an app, which is then routed to their supervisor for approval. You will frequently hear phrases like '在钉钉上提交请假申请' (submit a leave application on DingTalk). Despite the digital interface, the core vocabulary remains the same.

老师，小明今天发烧了，我替他请假。

Teacher, Xiao Ming has a fever today, I am asking for leave on his behalf.

我的请假申请已经被老板批准了。

My leave application has already been approved by the boss.

年底了，大家的年假还没休完，都在排队请假。

It's the end of the year, everyone hasn't finished their annual leave and is lining up to ask for time off.

你频繁请假会影响你的年终绩效考核。

Your frequent leave-taking will affect your year-end performance review.

今天开会他没来，听说是请假去医院了。

He didn't come to the meeting today; I heard he took leave to go to the hospital.

Beyond formal settings, you might also hear '请假' used slightly metaphorically in casual conversations. For example, if someone regularly attends a weekly sports game but cannot make it one week, they might say '我这周请个假' (I'll take a leave this week), even though there is no formal authority to ask. This demonstrates how deeply the concept of formal attendance and requesting permission is ingrained in social interactions. Understanding the contexts where '请假' is used will help you navigate both formal bureaucracies and informal social commitments in China.

The most frequent and glaring mistake learners make with 请假 stems from misunderstanding its grammatical structure as a separable verb (离合词). Because 'to ask for leave' is a single concept in English, learners naturally assume '请假' is a standard transitive verb. This leads to direct translations that sound highly unnatural or completely incorrect to native speakers. The golden rule is: you cannot put a duration or an object directly after '请假'.

Mistake 1: Duration Placement
Incorrect: 我要请假三天。 (I want to ask for leave three days.)
Correct: 我要请三天假。 (I want to ask for three days of leave.)
Mistake 2: Target Placement
Incorrect: 我请假老板。 (I ask leave boss.)
Correct: 我向老板请假。 (I ask the boss for leave.)
Mistake 3: Double Objects
Incorrect: 我请假病。 (I ask leave sick.)
Correct: 我请病假。 (I ask for sick leave.)

Another common error involves the use of aspect particles like 了 (le) and 过 (guo). Because the verb is '请' and the object is '假', the particle must attach to the verb, not the end of the word. Therefore, 'I asked for leave' is '我请了假', not '我请假了' (though '我请假了' can be acceptable if '了' is acting as a sentence-final particle indicating a change of state, but '请了假' is safer for indicating completed action). Similarly, 'I have asked for leave before' is '我请过假', not '我请假过'.

❌ 错误: 他请假一个星期。
✅ 正确: 他请了一个星期的假。

He asked for a week off.

❌ 错误: 我需要请假老师。
✅ 正确: 我需要向老师请假。

I need to ask the teacher for leave.

❌ 错误: 昨天我请假了半天。
✅ 正确: 昨天我请了半天假。

Yesterday I took half a day off.

❌ 错误: 你请假过吗？
✅ 正确: 你请过假吗？

Have you ever asked for leave?

❌ 错误: 我要请假事。
✅ 正确: 我要请事假。

I need to take personal leave.

Finally, learners sometimes confuse '请假' with '放假' (fàngjià). '请假' is an active request initiated by the individual (e.g., you ask your boss for a day off). '放假' is a passive event initiated by an institution or the government (e.g., the school gives students a holiday for the summer, or a national holiday). You cannot say '老板，我想放假' (Boss, I want to have a public holiday); you must say '老板，我想请假' (Boss, I want to ask for leave). Recognizing these distinctions will drastically improve your fluency and accuracy.

While 请假 is the most common way to express taking time off, Chinese has several related terms that describe different types of leave, holidays, and absences. Understanding the nuances between these words is essential for accurate communication, especially in professional environments. The most frequently confused word is 放假 (fàngjià), but others like 休假 (xiūjià), 旷工 (kuànggōng), and 调休 (tiáoxiū) are equally important.

放假 (fàngjià) - To have a holiday
Used when an institution (school, company, government) grants time off to everyone. Example: 国庆节放假七天 (Seven days off for National Day).
休假 (xiūjià) - To take a vacation
Often refers to using accrued annual leave or taking a longer, planned vacation. It sounds more formal and leisurely than 请假.
调休 (tiáoxiū) - To take compensatory leave
Used when you work overtime on a weekend or holiday and take a different day off to compensate.

Another critical distinction is between legal, approved leave and unapproved absence. If you do not '请假' and simply fail to show up for work, this is called 旷工 (kuànggōng - absenteeism) or 旷课 (kuàngkè - skipping class). These terms carry severe negative connotations and can lead to termination or expulsion. On the other hand, specific types of approved leave are formed by modifying the character 假, such as 病假 (sick leave), 事假 (personal leave), 产假 (maternity leave), 陪产假 (paternity leave), and 婚假 (marriage leave).

春节期间，全国人民都放假。

During the Spring Festival, people all over the country have a holiday. (Contrast with 请假)

他上个月加班太多，所以今天调休。

He worked too much overtime last month, so he is taking compensatory leave today.

经理去夏威夷休假了，下周才回来。

The manager went to Hawaii for a vacation and won't be back until next week.

如果没有请假就不来上班，算作旷工。

If you don't come to work without asking for leave, it is counted as absenteeism.

按照公司规定，员工结婚可以享受十五天的婚假。

According to company regulations, employees can enjoy 15 days of marriage leave when they get married.

By mastering these related terms, you can navigate the complex landscape of Chinese HR policies and daily scheduling with ease. You will know exactly when to ask for '请假', when to look forward to '放假', and how to negotiate your '调休'. This vocabulary is not just linguistic knowledge; it is practical survival knowledge for living and working in a Chinese-speaking environment.

How Formal Is It?

Difficulty Rating

Grammar to Know

Separable Verbs (离合词)

Aspect Particle 了 (le) with Objects

Preposition 向 (xiàng) for Targets

Expressing Duration of Time

Because/Therefore (因为...所以...)

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Examples by Level

1

我明天请假。

I will take leave tomorrow.

Basic Subject + Time + Verb structure.

2

老师，我想请假。

Teacher, I want to ask for leave.

Using 想 (want to) before the verb.

3

他今天请假了。

He took leave today.

Using 了 to indicate completed action/change of state.

4

我不舒服，要请假。

I am not feeling well, I need to take leave.

Giving a simple reason before the action.

5

妈妈，我能请假吗？

Mom, can I take leave?

Using 能 (can) to ask for permission.

6

请假去医院。

Take leave to go to the hospital.

Verb + Purpose structure.

7

他不来，他请假了。

He is not coming, he asked for leave.

Simple compound sentence explaining absence.

8

我生病了，请假。

I am sick, taking leave.

Basic cause and effect.

1

因为我感冒了，所以我想请假。

Because I have a cold, I want to ask for leave.

Using 因为...所以... (because... therefore...).

2

我向老板请假了。

I asked the boss for leave.

Using the preposition 向 (to/towards).

3

你需要请假吗？

Do you need to ask for leave?

Using 需要 (need).

4

我明天有事，必须请假。

I have something to do tomorrow, I must take leave.

Using 必须 (must).

5

他请假回家了。

He took leave and went home.

Consecutive actions: 请假 then 回家.

6

请假条怎么写？

How do I write a leave application note?

Introduction of the noun 请假条.

7

老板不同意我请假。

The boss doesn't agree to my taking leave.

Using 同意 (agree).

8

我打算下周请假。

I plan to take leave next week.

Using 打算 (plan to).

1

我请了三天假。

I asked for three days off.

Separable verb rule: 请 + Duration + 假.

2

她请了一个星期的病假。

She took a week of sick leave.

Inserting duration and specific leave type: 请 + Duration + 病假.

3

如果你要请假，必须提前告诉我。

If you want to take leave, you must tell me in advance.

Using 如果 (if) and 提前 (in advance).

4

我的请假申请被批准了。

My leave application was approved.

Passive voice with 被 and formal vocabulary 批准.

5

无故请假会被扣工资。

Taking leave without a valid reason will result in a salary deduction.

Using 无故 (without reason) and 扣工资 (deduct salary).

6

他因为家里有急事，不得不请假。

Because of a family emergency, he had no choice but to take leave.

Using 急事 (emergency) and 不得不 (have no choice but to).

7

你今年还有几天年假可以请？

How many days of annual leave do you still have left to take this year?

Discussing 年假 (annual leave).

8

请假手续办好了吗？

Have the leave procedures been completed?

Using 手续 (procedures).

1

由于个人原因，我需要向公司请两周的事假。

Due to personal reasons, I need to ask the company for two weeks of personal leave.

Formal phrasing: 由于 (due to), 个人原因 (personal reasons), 事假 (personal leave).

2

按照公司规定，请假超过三天需要部门经理签字。

According to company regulations, taking leave for more than three days requires the department manager's signature.

Using 按照规定 (according to regulations) and 超过 (exceed).

3

她刚休完产假，下个月正式回公司上班。

She just finished her maternity leave and will officially return to work at the company next month.

Using 产假 (maternity leave) and 恢复上班 (return to work).

4

频繁请假不仅影响项目进度，也会降低你的年终绩效。

Frequent leave-taking not only affects project progress but will also lower your year-end performance review.

Using 不仅...也... (not only... but also) and 频繁 (frequent).

5

为了准备研究生考试，他决定停薪留职请假半年。

In order to prepare for the graduate school entrance exam, he decided to take half a year of unpaid leave while retaining his position.

Advanced concept: 停薪留职 (unpaid leave retaining position).

6

请假流程现在都在钉钉上走，不需要纸质审批了。

The leave process is now all done on DingTalk; paper approvals are no longer needed.

Modern workplace vocabulary: 流程 (process), 审批 (approval).

7

他本来想请假去旅游，但因为工作太忙只好作罢。

He originally wanted to take leave to travel, but had to give up the idea because work was too busy.

Using 本来 (originally) and 只好作罢 (had to give up).

8

即使是法定节假日加班，也可以申请调休而不是请假。

Even if working overtime on statutory holidays, one can apply for compensatory leave instead of taking regular leave.

Distinguishing between 调休 (compensatory leave) and 请假.

1

在当前内卷严重的职场环境下，员工往往不敢轻易请假，生怕被边缘化。

In the current highly competitive (involution) workplace environment, employees often dare not easily take leave, for fear of being marginalized.

Advanced sociological terms: 内卷 (involution), 边缘化 (marginalized).

2

劳动法明确规定了员工享有带薪休假的权利，企业不得以任何理由无故拒绝员工的合理请假诉求。

Labor law explicitly stipulates that employees have the right to paid leave, and enterprises must not unreasonably reject employees' legitimate leave requests for any reason.

Legal terminology: 劳动法 (Labor Law), 带薪休假 (paid leave), 诉求 (request/appeal).

3

他借故称病请假，实则是去参加了竞争对手公司的面试。

He feigned illness to take leave, but in reality, he went to attend an interview at a competitor's company.

Idiomatic usage: 借故称病 (feign illness using an excuse).

4

关于请假制度的改革方案已经在高层会议上引起了激烈的讨论。

The reform proposal regarding the leave system has already sparked heated discussions at the executive meeting.

Formal corporate language: 制度改革 (system reform), 高层会议 (executive meeting).

5

即便批了假，很多领导还是会习惯性地在员工请假期间通过微信安排工作。

Even if leave is approved, many leaders still habitually assign work via WeChat during the employee's leave period.

Using 即便 (even if) and 习惯性地 (habitually).

6

这份请假条措辞严谨、理由充分，HR没有任何理由驳回。

This leave application is rigorously worded and well-reasoned; HR has no reason to reject it.

Advanced vocabulary: 措辞严谨 (rigorously worded), 驳回 (reject/turn down).

7

长期的高压工作让他积劳成疾，最终不得不请了长假去疗养。

Long-term high-pressure work caused him to break down from overwork, and he ultimately had to take a long leave to recuperate.

Idiom: 积劳成疾 (break down from constant overwork).

8

公司的人性化管理体现在对员工突发事件请假的宽容度上。

The company's humanized management is reflected in its tolerance for employees taking leave for sudden emergencies.

Abstract concepts: 人性化管理 (humanized management), 宽容度 (tolerance).

1

纵观现代企业管理制度的演变，请假流程的繁简往往折射出企业对员工信任度的深浅。

Looking at the evolution of modern corporate management systems, the complexity of the leave process often reflects the depth of the enterprise's trust in its employees.

Highly formal and analytical language: 纵观 (looking comprehensively at), 折射出 (reflects).

2

在探讨劳资关系时，带薪请假权的落实情况是衡量一个社会劳动保障体系是否完善的试金石。

When discussing labor-management relations, the implementation of the right to paid leave is a touchstone for measuring whether a society's labor protection system is sound.

Academic terminology: 劳资关系 (labor-management relations), 试金石 (touchstone).

3

部分企业以隐性手段剥夺员工的请假自由，这种做法不仅违背了契约精神，更触碰了法律底线。

Some enterprises use covert means to deprive employees of their freedom to take leave; this practice not only violates the spirit of contract but also crosses the legal bottom line.

Strong rhetorical phrasing: 隐性手段 (covert means), 契约精神 (spirit of contract).

4

与其在员工请假时百般刁难，不如建立科学的绩效考核机制，以结果导向代替考勤导向。

Rather than making things difficult in every possible way when employees ask for leave, it is better to establish a scientific performance appraisal mechanism, replacing attendance-orientation with results-orientation.

Using 与其...不如... (rather than... it is better to...) and 百般刁难 (create all sorts of obstacles).

5

古代官员的‘告假’制度与现代职场的请假机制在本质上有着异曲同工之妙，皆是权力让渡与个人诉求的博弈。

The 'leave of absence' system for ancient officials and the leave mechanism in the modern workplace are essentially similar in approach; both are a game of power transfer and personal appeals.

Historical comparison and idioms: 告假 (ancient term for leave), 异曲同工 (different tunes played with equal skill / similar in approach).

6

面对突如其来的家庭变故，他递交了辞呈而非请假条，这背后隐藏着对职场无法兼顾家庭的深深无奈。

Faced with a sudden family misfortune, he submitted a resignation letter instead of a leave application; hidden behind this is a deep sense of helplessness regarding the inability to balance work and family.

Nuanced emotional expression: 变故 (unforeseen event/misfortune), 无奈 (helplessness).

7

所谓的‘请假羞耻症’，实则是东亚社会长期推崇的集体主义与过度奉献文化在个体心理上的病态投射。

The so-called 'leave-taking shame' is actually a pathological projection on individual psychology of the collectivism and culture of over-dedication long praised in East Asian societies.

Sociological critique: 请假羞耻症 (leave-taking shame), 病态投射 (pathological projection).

8

在弹性工作制日益普及的今天，传统的打卡请假模式正面临着前所未有的解构与重塑。

Today, with the increasing popularity of flexible working hours, the traditional clock-in and leave-requesting model is facing unprecedented deconstruction and reshaping.

Contemporary business trends: 弹性工作制 (flexible working hours), 解构与重塑 (deconstruction and reshaping).

Synonyms

告假 休假 离岗

Antonyms

出勤 销假

Common Collocations

向老板请假
请病假
请事假
请年假
请产假
请婚假
批准请假
请假条
请假手续
不准请假

Common Phrases

我想请假
请几天假
请假一天
请假扣工资
写请假条
请假回家
请假看病
请假休息
请假获批
无故请假

Often Confused With

请假 vs 放假

请假 vs 休假

请假 vs 旷工

Idioms & Expressions

"称病请假"
"托病请假"
"借故请假"
"无故旷工"
"带病坚持"
"积劳成疾"
"劳逸结合"
"日夜操劳"
"废寝忘食"
"偷闲躲静"

Easily Confused

请假 vs

请假 vs

请假 vs

Sentence Patterns

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How to Use It

note

Do not confuse 请假 with 放假. You '请假' (actively request leave), but the school/company '放假' (passively gives a holiday).

Common Mistakes
  • Saying '请假三天' instead of the correct '请三天假'.
  • Saying '我请假老板' instead of the correct '我向老板请假'.
  • Using '请假' to mean a public holiday (which should be '放假').
  • Pronouncing 假 in the 3rd tone (jiǎ) instead of the 4th tone (jià).
  • Saying '请假病' instead of the correct '请病假'.

Tips

The Sandwich Rule

Treat '请假' like a sandwich. '请' and '假' are the bread. Any duration (like 三天) must go inside as the filling: 请三天假.

Watch the Tone

Always pronounce 假 as jià (4th tone). Saying qǐng jiǎ sounds like you are asking for something fake!

Specific Leaves

Learn the specific types of leave to sound more native: 病假 (sick), 事假 (personal), 年假 (annual), 产假 (maternity).

Formal Approval

In China, taking leave is a request, not a notification. Always wait for '批准' (approval) before assuming you have the day off.

Leave Slips

Practice writing a '请假条' (leave slip). It is a standard writing task in many Chinese proficiency exams like the HSK.

Past Tense

To say you already asked for leave, put '了' in the middle: 请了假. Don't put it at the very end.

Not for Holidays

Never use 请假 to describe public holidays like Christmas or Spring Festival. Use 放假 for those.

Targeting the Boss

Always use 向 (xiàng) or 跟 (gēn) to indicate who you are asking. '向老板请假' is correct.

Salary Deductions

Be aware that '请事假' (personal leave) usually means '扣工资' (salary deduction) in Chinese companies.

Casual Speech

In very casual conversation, you can say '请个假' to make the phrase sound softer and more natural.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Please (请) give me a Holiday (假). Imagine politely asking your boss for a fake (假 - jiǎ, same character, different tone) doctor's note to get a holiday (假 - jià).

Word Origin

请 (qǐng) originally meant to request or ask respectfully. 假 (jià) originally meant to borrow, but evolved to mean borrowed time, hence a holiday or leave. Together, they literally mean 'to request borrowed time' from one's duties.

Cultural Context

Parents usually must communicate directly with the teacher via WeChat or a written note to '请假' for their child. Students cannot simply not show up.

Taking personal leave (事假) often results in a deduction of that day's salary. Annual leave (年假) is paid but usually very limited (e.g., 5 days a year for new employees).

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Conversation Starters

"你今年还有几天年假没请？(How many days of annual leave do you still have left to take this year?)"

"老板今天心情好吗？我想去请假。(Is the boss in a good mood today? I want to go ask for leave.)"

"你昨天怎么没来？请假了吗？(Why didn't you come yesterday? Did you take leave?)"

"请假手续太麻烦了，我都不想休了。(The leave procedures are too troublesome, I don't even want to take time off.)"

"你生病了就赶紧请假回家休息吧。(If you are sick, hurry up and take leave to go home and rest.)"

Journal Prompts

Write a formal leave application (请假条) to your Chinese teacher explaining why you cannot attend class tomorrow.

Describe a time you had to '请假' for an emergency. How did your boss/teacher react?

Compare the culture of taking leave in your home country versus what you know about China.

Write a dialogue between an employee asking for a week off and a strict boss.

Explain the grammatical rules of separable verbs using '请假' as your main example.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Grammatically, this is incorrect in standard Mandarin because '请假' is a separable verb. You should say '我要请三天假'. However, in very casual spoken Chinese, you might occasionally hear people say it incorrectly, but you should avoid it in tests and formal writing.

'请假' is an active request made by an individual to take time off (e.g., you ask your boss for a sick day). '放假' is a passive event where an institution closes for a holiday (e.g., the school gives students a week off for National Day).

Sick leave is '病假' (bìngjià) and personal leave is '事假' (shìjià). To say you are taking these, you insert them into the verb: '请病假' (take sick leave) and '请事假' (take personal leave).

Yes. You cannot say '我请假老板'. You must use the preposition 向 (towards/to) to indicate the target of your request: '我向老板请假' (I ask the boss for leave).

It depends on the type of leave. '年假' (annual leave) and '婚假' (marriage leave) are usually paid. '病假' (sick leave) is often paid at a reduced rate. '事假' (personal leave) is almost always unpaid.

A formal leave note is called a '请假条' (qǐngjiàtiáo). It usually starts with a respectful address (e.g., 尊敬的王经理), states the reason (因为...), the duration (需要请假三天), and ends with a polite request for approval (特此请假，望批准).

No, '请假' is strictly for formal duties like work or school. If you need to leave a social gathering early, you would use phrases like '我先走一步' (I'll take a step first) or '失陪了' (excuse me for leaving).

Because '请假' is a verb-object compound, the aspect particle '了' should attach to the verb '请'. Therefore, you say '我请了假' (I took leave).

'销假' (xiāojià) is the opposite of '请假'. It means to report back to your boss or HR that your leave is over and you have returned to your duties.

The character '假' has two pronunciations. When pronounced 'jiǎ' (3rd tone), it means 'fake' or 'false'. When pronounced 'jià' (4th tone), it means 'holiday' or 'leave'. In '请假', you are asking for a holiday, so it is 'jià'.

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