病假条
病假条 in 30 Seconds
- A formal medical note issued by doctors in China to justify absence from work or school due to illness, requiring an official hospital stamp.
- Essential for securing 'sick pay' and avoiding 'truancy' marks in professional and academic settings across mainland China's administrative systems.
- Commonly paired with the verb '开' (to issue) and measured with '张' (zhāng), distinguishing it from a personal '请假条'.
- Acts as a critical legal and administrative link between healthcare providers and employers/educational institutions to verify health-related leave claims.
The Chinese term 病假条 (bìngjiàtiáo) is a compound noun that translates directly to 'sick leave note' or 'medical certificate for leave.' In the context of Chinese society, whether in an academic or professional setting, this document is the formal bridge between a medical condition and the legal or administrative right to be absent from one's duties. Unlike some Western cultures where a simple email or phone call might suffice for a single day of illness, Chinese institutions—ranging from primary schools to multi-national corporations—frequently require a physical or digital 病假条 issued by a recognized medical facility to justify the absence and ensure the individual is not penalized with a 'loss of attendance' (旷工).
- Linguistic Breakdown
- The word is composed of three characters: 病 (bìng) meaning sickness or disease, 假 (jià) meaning vacation or leave, and 条 (tiáo) which literally means a strip or a slip of paper. Together, they form a specific term for the slip of paper used to request leave due to illness.
- Administrative Significance
- In China, a 病假条 is not just a note from a doctor; it is often an official document that must bear the hospital's 'Medical Diagnosis Stamp' (诊断证明章). Without this red ink stamp, the note may be considered invalid by strict HR departments or school administrators. This reflects the high value placed on official documentation and institutional verification in Chinese administrative culture.
如果你明天不能来上班,必须向人力资源部提交一张病假条。 (If you cannot come to work tomorrow, you must submit a sick leave note to the HR department.)
The use of 病假条 is most prevalent in situations involving mid-to-long term illnesses, but it is also standard for even a single day in many government-owned enterprises (SOEs) or traditional schools. For students, the 病假条 is the only way to avoid being marked as 'truant,' which can affect their eligibility for scholarships or final exams. For employees, it is the key to accessing 'sick pay' (病假工资), which is usually a percentage of the base salary as mandated by Chinese Labor Law. Therefore, knowing how to ask a doctor for this document is a vital skill for anyone living or working in China.
医生,我需要休息三天,您可以帮我开个病假条吗? (Doctor, I need to rest for three days. Could you help me write a sick leave note?)
- Cultural Nuance
- In the digital age, many large Chinese tech companies have integrated their HR systems with platforms like DingTalk or WeChat Work. Even then, the 'digital sick leave' often requires a photo of the physical 病假条 issued by the hospital to be uploaded as evidence. This shows that the physical 'slip' (条) still maintains its symbolic and legal weight despite technological advancements.
Using 病假条 correctly involves pairing it with the right verbs. In Chinese, verbs are the engines of the sentence, and for documentation, specific verbs denote the creation, submission, and verification of the note. The most common verb used with 病假条 is 开 (kāi), which in this context means 'to issue' or 'to write out.' You don't 'write' a sick note with '写' (xiě) as often as you 'open/issue' one with '开'.
医院给我开了一张一周的病假条。 (The hospital issued a one-week sick leave note for me.)
Another essential verb is 请 (qǐng), which is used in the phrase 请病假 (to ask for sick leave). While 病假条 is the noun (the object), 请病假 is the action. When you talk about the physical act of giving the note to your boss or teacher, use 交 (jiāo) or 提交 (tíjiāo), meaning 'to hand in' or 'to submit.'
- Verb-Noun Pairings
- 开 (kāi) + 病假条: To issue/write a sick note (by a doctor).
- 交 (jiāo) + 病假条: To hand in a sick note (to a superior).
- 补 (bǔ) + 病假条: To retroactively provide/supplement a sick note.
- 收 (shōu) + 病假条: To receive/collect a sick note (by HR).
When discussing the duration of the leave mentioned in the note, you can use the structure '[Duration] + 的 + 病假条'. For example, '三天的病假条' (a three-day sick note). This allows for precise communication regarding how long the medical professional has recommended the person stay away from work or school.
你必须在回公司后的第一天把病假条交给经理。 (You must hand the sick leave note to the manager on the first day after returning to the company.)
In more formal or legalistic contexts, you might see the term 病假证明 (sick leave certificate), but in daily spoken Chinese and standard office communication, 病假条 remains the dominant term. Using it correctly shows a high level of cultural integration, as it acknowledges the specific 'slip' culture prevalent in Chinese administration.
这张病假条上没有医生的签字,可能不合规。 (This sick leave note does not have the doctor's signature; it might not be compliant.)
The word 病假条 echoes through the halls of three main environments in China: hospitals, workplaces, and educational institutions. Each environment has its own set of rituals associated with the term. In a hospital, you will hear it at the end of a consultation. After the diagnosis is made, the patient often prompts the doctor with the request. The doctor might then direct the patient to a specific 'stamp window' (盖章处) because a 病假条 is only official once it has the hospital's specific seal.
- The Hospital Context
- "医生,我这病需要休假,能麻烦您开个病假条吗?" (Doctor, my illness requires leave; could you please issue a sick note?) This is a standard phrase used by patients. The doctor might reply, "去前台盖章,病假条才生效。" (Go to the front desk to get it stamped; only then does the sick note become effective.)
In the workplace, the word is often heard during conversations with human resources or direct supervisors. It is the central piece of evidence in the 'leave-taking process' (请假流程). If an employee calls in sick, the immediate follow-up question from HR is almost always about the 病假条. It serves as the legal basis for the company to grant the leave and adjust the payroll accordingly.
人事部说,如果没有医院的病假条,这几天就算事假。 (The HR department said that without a hospital sick note, these few days will be counted as personal leave.)
In schools, 病假条 is a word students know well from a young age. Parents are often the ones responsible for securing the 病假条 from the pediatrician to ensure their child's absence is excused. Teachers use it to keep track of attendance records, which are strictly monitored in the Chinese education system. You might hear a teacher say to a returning student, "你的病假条带来了吗?交给班长。" (Did you bring your sick note? Give it to the class monitor.)
现在的电子病假条非常方便,医生直接发到手机上。 (Current electronic sick notes are very convenient; the doctor sends them directly to the phone.)
- The 'Fake' Note Phenomenon
- Unfortunately, because the requirement is so strict, there is also a dark market for '代开病假条' (issuing sick notes on behalf of others). This is illegal and highly discouraged, but the fact that it exists highlights how essential the term and the document are in daily life.
Learning to use 病假条 involves navigating several common linguistic and cultural pitfalls. The first and most frequent mistake for English speakers is confusing 病假条 (sick leave note) with 请假条 (general leave note). While they both contain '假条', a 请假条 is a note written by the *employee* to ask for leave (for any reason), whereas a 病假条 is a document issued by a *doctor* to prove illness.
- Confusion with '请假条'
- Mistake: "我要写一个病假条。" (I want to write a sick note.)
Correction: Unless you are a doctor, you don't 'write' (写) a 病假条; you 'hand in' (交) one or 'ask for' (请) one. If you are writing a note to your boss, that is a 请假条.
Another common error is the misuse of measure words. As mentioned earlier, because the word ends in '条' (which is a measure word itself), students often forget to use the correct measure word for the whole document, which is 张 (zhāng). Saying '一条病假条' sounds awkward and redundant to native ears; '一张病假条' is the correct form.
错误:他给了我一条病假条。
正确:他给了我一张病假条。 (He gave me a sick leave note.)
Culturally, many learners assume that a prescription (处方 - chǔfāng) or a medical bill (发票 - fāpiào) can serve as a 病假条. In the Chinese administrative system, this is a mistake. HR specifically looks for the document labeled '诊断证明' or '病假建议' with the official hospital stamp. Submitting a receipt for medicine will often result in the leave being rejected.
我正在休病假,因为我已经交了病假条。 (I am currently on sick leave because I have already handed in the sick note.)
- The 'Authenticity' Mistake
- In China, a note from a small private clinic might not be accepted by a large state-owned enterprise. Learners often make the mistake of going to the nearest clinic, only to find their company requires a 病假条 from a 'Level 2' or 'Level 3' (Grade A) public hospital. Always check your company's policy on which hospitals are authorized to issue valid notes.
To truly master 病假条, one must understand its neighbors in the lexical field of 'excuses' and 'medical documents.' These words are often used in similar contexts but carry different weights and meanings. Understanding these nuances prevents confusion during stressful times like being ill.
- 病假条 vs. 请假条 (qǐngjiàtiáo)
- 请假条 is the generic term for any leave application note. It could be for a personal matter (事假), a wedding (婚假), or illness. The 病假条 is specifically the medical evidence that supports a 请假条 for health reasons. In many offices, you write a 请假条 and attach the 病假条 to it.
- 病假条 vs. 诊断证明 (zhěnduàn zhèngmíng)
- 诊断证明 (Diagnosis Certificate) is the more formal, clinical term. While 病假条 is used in daily conversation, the actual header on the piece of paper you get from a hospital often says 诊断证明书. It contains the medical diagnosis and the doctor's suggestion for rest.
- 病假条 vs. 假条 (jiàtiáo)
- 假条 is simply the shorthand for any leave note. Friends might ask, "你开假条了吗?" (Did you get the note?), implying the sick note without using the full three-syllable word.
虽然我有诊断证明,但经理还是要我填一张正式的请假条。 (Even though I have a diagnosis certificate, the manager still wants me to fill out a formal leave application.)
For very short absences where a hospital visit isn't necessary, some modern companies allow a 说明 (shuōmíng - explanation) or a simple 口头请假 (kǒutóu qǐngjià - verbal leave). However, the 病假条 remains the 'gold standard' for justifying health-related absences. Another related term is 休假 (xiūjià), which refers to taking a vacation or a long break, distinct from the forced rest of a sick leave.
如果你没有病假条,你只能请事假,但那会扣工资。 (If you don't have a sick note, you can only take personal leave, but that will result in a pay cut.)
How Formal Is It?
Fun Fact
In the early 20th century, '条子' (tiáozi) was a common way to refer to any informal note or warrant. The '条' in '病假条' is a remnant of this bureaucratic history.
Pronunciation Guide
- Pronouncing 'jià' as 'jiǎ' (third tone), which would mean 'fake' instead of 'leave'.
- Confusing 'tiáo' with 'diào' (to drop).
- Failing to distinguish the 'ng' in 'bìng' from a simple 'n' sound.
- Merging 'jià' and 'tiáo' into a single slurred sound.
- Using the wrong tone for 'bìng' (fourth tone is essential).
Difficulty Rating
The characters are common, but '假' and '条' have multiple meanings.
Writing '病' and '假' correctly requires attention to stroke order.
The tones are distinct and the word is easy to pronounce.
Very common word in hospital and office settings.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Measure Words for Paper (张)
两张病假条
The 'Ba' Construction (把)
把他把病假条交给了HR。
Duration as Attribute
三天的病假条
Serial Verbs (去...开...)
去医院开病假条
Resultative Complements (开好)
病假条开好了。
Examples by Level
我有病假条。
I have a sick leave note.
Subject + Verb + Object.
这是我的病假条。
This is my sick leave note.
Demonstrative pronoun + linking verb.
老师要病假条。
The teacher wants a sick leave note.
Simple SVO structure.
我没有病假条。
I don't have a sick leave note.
Negation with '没有'.
病假条在哪里?
Where is the sick leave note?
Question with '在哪里'.
医生写病假条。
The doctor writes a sick leave note.
Simple present action.
一张病假条。
One sick leave note.
Measure word '张' for paper.
你要病假条吗?
Do you want a sick leave note?
Question with '吗'.
我去医院开病假条。
I am going to the hospital to get a sick note.
Serial verb construction: go + hospital + issue note.
请给我一张病假条。
Please give me a sick leave note.
Polite request with '请'.
他生病了,所以有病假条。
He is sick, so he has a sick note.
Cause and effect with '因为...所以...' (implied).
我把病假条给老师了。
I gave the sick note to the teacher.
'把' construction for disposal.
这张病假条是昨天的。
This sick note is from yesterday.
Time noun as an attributive.
医生没给我开病假条。
The doctor didn't issue a sick note for me.
Negation of past action with '没'.
你需要带病假条来学校。
You need to bring a sick note to school.
Modal verb '需要' (need).
我忘了带病假条。
I forgot to bring the sick note.
Verb + '了' for completed action.
公司规定,请假必须交病假条。
Company policy states that you must submit a sick note to take leave.
Formal requirement structure.
医生给我开了一周的病假条。
The doctor issued a one-week sick note for me.
Duration as an attributive: [Time] + 的 + [Noun].
你得去前台给病假条盖章。
You have to go to the front desk to get the sick note stamped.
Modal '得' (must) and purpose clause.
没有病假条,我没法向老板交代。
Without a sick note, I have no way to explain it to my boss.
Condition '没有...' and '没法' (no way to).
这张病假条是真的吗?
Is this sick note real?
Adjective '真' (real) in a question.
我把病假条拍了张照片发给HR。
I took a photo of the sick note and sent it to HR.
Serial verbs: take photo + send.
他补办了一张病假条。
He retroactively got a sick note issued.
Verb '补办' (to make up/retroactively do).
医生建议我休息,并开了病假条。
The doctor suggested I rest and issued a sick note.
Conjunction '并' (and/also) for formal tone.
凭借这张病假条,你可以申请病假工资。
With this sick note, you can apply for sick leave pay.
Preposition '凭借' (by virtue of).
如果病假条不合规,人事部会拒绝申请。
If the sick note is non-compliant, HR will reject the application.
Conditional '如果...就/会...'.
他因为伪造病假条被公司开除了。
He was fired by the company for forging a sick note.
Passive '被' construction.
医生在病假条上写明了需要静养三天。
The doctor clearly stated on the sick note that three days of bed rest are needed.
Resultative complement '写明' (write clearly).
这张病假条必须有二级以上医院的公章。
This sick note must have the official seal of a Level 2 or higher hospital.
Specific noun phrase '二级以上医院'.
由于没交病假条,他的缺勤被记为旷工。
Since he didn't submit a sick note, his absence was recorded as truancy.
Conjunction '由于' (due to).
请确认病假条上的日期与实际休息日期一致。
Please confirm that the date on the sick note matches the actual rest dates.
Formal verb '确认' (confirm) and '与...一致' (consistent with).
医院现在实行电子病假条,系统会自动同步。
Hospitals now implement electronic sick notes, and the system syncs automatically.
Verb '实行' (implement) and adverb '自动' (automatically).
劳动法对于病假条的法律效力有明确规定。
The Labor Law has clear provisions regarding the legal validity of sick notes.
Abstract noun '法律效力' (legal validity).
由于该病假条涉嫌造假,公司启动了内部调查。
Since the sick note was suspected of being forged, the company initiated an internal investigation.
Formal verb '涉嫌' (suspected of) and '启动' (initiate).
医生拒绝开具不符合实际病情的病假条。
The doctor refused to issue a sick note that did not match the actual medical condition.
Negative resultative '不符合' (not matching).
即使有病假条,长期请假也可能影响职业晋升。
Even with a sick note, long-term leave may affect career promotion.
Conjunction '即使...也...' (even if).
他试图通过一张模糊的病假条蒙混过关。
He tried to get away with it using a blurry sick note.
Idiomatic phrase '蒙混过关' (to muddle through/trick).
病假条的开具流程在不同等级的医院有所差异。
The process of issuing a sick note varies among hospitals of different levels.
Verb '有所差异' (to have some differences).
人事经理仔细核对了病假条上的防伪标识。
The HR manager carefully checked the anti-counterfeiting marks on the sick note.
Adverb '仔细' (carefully) and verb '核对' (check/verify).
这张病假条是该员工维护自身合法权益的关键证据。
This sick note is key evidence for the employee to protect their legal rights.
Complex noun phrase as subject.
病假条不仅是医疗文书,更是劳资博弈中的法律筹码。
A sick note is not only a medical document but also a legal bargaining chip in labor-management relations.
Structure '不仅是...更是...' (not only... but even more...).
在数字化转型的浪潮下,纸质病假条正逐渐退出历史舞台。
Under the wave of digital transformation, paper sick notes are gradually exiting the stage of history.
Metaphorical phrase '退出历史舞台'.
该案例探讨了在无纸化办公背景下,电子病假条的真实性核查难题。
This case explores the difficulties of verifying the authenticity of electronic sick notes in the context of a paperless office.
Formal academic '探讨' (explore/discuss).
医生在开具病假条时,需在医疗伦理与患者需求之间寻求平衡。
When issuing sick notes, doctors need to seek a balance between medical ethics and patient needs.
Formal '需' (need) and '寻求平衡' (seek balance).
病假条背后折射出的是当代职场高压环境下的健康焦虑。
What the sick note reflects is the health anxiety under the high-pressure environment of the contemporary workplace.
Verb '折射' (reflect/refract).
严苛的病假条审核制度,在一定程度上加剧了医患矛盾。
The strict sick note audit system has, to some extent, exacerbated doctor-patient conflicts.
Verb '加剧' (exacerbate/intensify).
法律界对于病假条是否应包含具体病史隐私仍存争议。
There is still controversy in the legal community over whether sick notes should include specific medical history privacy.
Structure '对于...仍存争议'.
完善病假条管理制度,是构建和谐劳动关系的重要一环。
Improving the sick note management system is an important part of building harmonious labor relations.
Gerund-like subject '完善...管理制度'.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
— To take/ask for sick leave.
我今天想请病假。
— To be currently on sick leave.
他正在家里休病假。
— A note for personal leave (not medical).
事假条不需要医生签字。
— The formal name of the sick note document.
请去窗口打印诊断证明书。
— Salary paid during sick leave.
病假工资比平常少一点。
— Long-term sick leave.
他请了三个月的长病假。
— The amount of sick leave allowed.
我的病假额度用完了。
— To ask for leave due to illness (formal).
他因病请假一周。
— Paid sick leave.
我们公司有五天带薪病假。
— Medical record book, often used alongside the note.
病假条钉在病历本上了。
Often Confused With
A general note written by you; '病假条' is from a doctor.
A prescription for medicine, not a leave note.
A receipt for payment, not proof of illness for leave.
Idioms & Expressions
— To claim illness as an excuse not to go out or see someone.
他为了躲避会议,称病不出。
Literary— To use illness as a pretext to ask for leave.
他其实没病,只是想托病请假去旅游。
Neutral— To make a big deal out of a minor illness to get more rest.
他这人喜欢小病大养,开了好几天病假条。
Informal— To moan about nothing; to pretend to be sick or miserable.
别无病呻吟了,快去工作吧。
Common— Illness enters through the mouth (be careful of what you eat).
病从口入,你要注意饮食卫生。
Common— The medicine works like a charm; immediate recovery.
医生开了药,真是药到病除。
Complimentary— Long illness makes a patient a doctor (learned through experience).
他经常感冒,真是久病成医。
Common— Beyond cure; hopeless (can refer to a situation).
这个公司的管理问题已经病入膏肓了。
Literary— Fellow sufferers pity each other.
我们两个都感冒了,真是同病相怜。
Common— Cured as soon as the doctor's hand touches (praising a doctor).
这位老中医真是手到病除。
ComplimentaryEasily Confused
Both contain 'sick leave'.
'病假' is the period of time or the status of being away. '病假条' is the physical document.
他在休病假,因为他交了病假条。
Both are medical documents.
A '诊断书' focuses on the medical details of the illness. A '病假条' focuses on the recommendation for leave.
诊断书上写了我得了肺炎。
Generic vs. Specific.
'假条' is any leave note. '病假条' is only for sickness.
我写了一张事假条,不是病假条。
Both are evidence.
'证明' is a general certificate. '病假条' is a specific slip for leave.
我需要开一张工作证明。
Both end in '条'.
'条子' is more informal and can mean a warrant or a secret note.
别随便给人递条子。
Sentence Patterns
我有[Noun]。
我有病假条。
去[Place]开[Noun]。
去医院开病假条。
把[Noun]交给[Person]。
把病假条交给老师。
因为[Reason],所以开了[Noun]。
因为发烧,所以开了病假条。
根据[Regulation],必须提交[Noun]。
根据公司规定,必须提交病假条。
如果[Condition],就不能开[Noun]。
如果没有诊断,就不能开病假条。
[Noun]是[Purpose]的关键证据。
病假条是申请赔偿的关键证据。
[Noun]反映了[Abstract Concept]。
病假条反映了职场压力。
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
Extremely frequent in administrative and medical contexts.
-
Using '写' (xiě) instead of '开' (kāi).
→
医生给我开了病假条。
In Chinese, doctors 'open/issue' (开) medical documents rather than just 'writing' them.
-
Saying '一条病假条'.
→
一张病假条。
'条' is part of the noun, but '张' is the correct measure word for paper documents.
-
Confusing '病假条' with '请假条'.
→
我把病假条交给了HR,并写了请假条。
'病假条' is the evidence; '请假条' is the request.
-
Thinking a receipt (发票) is a sick note.
→
我需要诊断证明作为病假条。
A receipt only proves you paid; it doesn't prove you were advised to rest.
-
Forgetting the stamp (公章).
→
病假条必须盖章才有效。
An unstamped note is usually rejected by Chinese administrative systems.
Tips
Check the Hospital Level
Many companies only accept notes from 'Grade A' (三甲) hospitals. Don't waste time at a small clinic if your HR is strict.
Use '张' not '条'
Even though the word ends in '条', always use the measure word '张' (zhāng) when counting them.
Ask Early
Ask the doctor for the note *during* the consultation. It’s much harder to get one after you’ve already left the room.
Don't Buy Notes
Buying fake sick notes online is a common but dangerous practice that can lead to immediate firing for 'dishonesty'.
Take a Photo
Always take a photo of the note as soon as you get it. Physical slips are easily lost in transit.
Be Polite to Nurses
Often, the nurses at the 'stamp window' are the ones who actually finalize the document. A little politeness goes a long way.
Verb Choice
Remember the verb '开' (kāi). It's the most natural way to say 'issue' a note.
Attach to Application
In most office systems, you don't just hand in the note; you 'attach' (附件) it to a digital leave application.
Radical Recognition
Recognizing the 'sick' radical (疒) helps you identify many health-related words quickly.
Emergency Room Notes
If you go to the ER, the '病假条' might be included in your '门诊病历' (outpatient record). Make sure to check.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine a **Bìng** (Sick) person taking a **Jià** (Leave) and writing it on a **Tiáo** (Strip) of paper.
Visual Association
Visualize a white slip of paper with a bright red circular hospital stamp in the bottom right corner. That stamp is what makes it a '病假条'.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to explain to a friend, entirely in Chinese, why you can't go to their party because you need to go to the hospital to get a '病假条' for work tomorrow.
Word Origin
The term is a modern compound. '病' (illness) dates back to oracle bone script. '假' (leave) evolved from meanings of 'borrowing' (borrowing time from work). '条' (slip) refers to the physical form of the document.
Original meaning: A slip of paper for illness-related leave.
Sino-Tibetan (Sinitic).Cultural Context
Be aware that 'fake sick notes' is a sensitive topic; employers may be very suspicious if a note looks unofficial.
In many English-speaking countries, a 'doctor's note' is common but often only required after 3-5 days of absence. In China, it is often required from day one.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At the Hospital
- 医生,开个病假条
- 去哪儿盖章?
- 病假条要写几天?
- 打印病假证明
In the Office
- 我把病假条发给你
- HR要病假条
- 没有病假条不行
- 病假条原件
At School
- 交给班主任
- 补交病假条
- 病假条丢了
- 老师,这是假条
With Friends
- 你开到假条了吗?
- 医院不给开
- 帮我请个假
- 病假条好难拿
On the Phone
- 我一会儿传真过去
- 拍照发微信
- 病假条在桌上
- 还没开好
Conversation Starters
"你上次请病假的时候,医生给你开了几天的病假条?"
"在你们国家,请病假也需要像中国这样交病假条吗?"
"如果我忘了带病假条,人事部会扣我的工资吗?"
"你知道在上海哪家医院开病假条最方便吗?"
"你觉得电子病假条会比纸质的更安全吗?"
Journal Prompts
描述一次你为了开病假条而去医院的经历。过程顺利吗?
写一段对话,模拟你向老板解释为什么你没有及时提交病假条。
讨论一下你对公司要求‘一天感冒也需要病假条’这一规定的看法。
如果你是一个医生,有一个没病的人向你要病假条,你会怎么办?
想象未来的病假条会是什么样子的?会和AI有关吗?
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYou must go to a hospital or a licensed clinic. After a doctor examines you, you can ask them to '开病假条'. Usually, you then take this to a specific window to get it stamped with the hospital's official seal.
In many modern Chinese companies, yes. Doctors may issue an electronic version via the hospital's app or WeChat mini-program. However, you should check if your HR department requires a printed copy or just the digital file.
You can try to go back to the hospital and ask for a '补办' (re-issuance). They will check their records and can usually print another one, but you will likely need to get it stamped again.
It depends on your contract and local labor laws. Generally, a valid '病假条' ensures you get '病假工资', which is typically 60-100% of your base salary, rather than being marked for unpaid leave.
Technically yes, but many large employers or government agencies only accept notes from 'Level 2' or 'Level 3' public hospitals. It is best to check your company's policy first.
Usually, for common illnesses like the flu, doctors issue notes for 1-3 days. For more serious issues, they may issue longer ones, but they often require follow-up visits to extend the leave.
It must include your name, the date of the visit, the diagnosis, the suggested number of days for rest, the doctor's signature, and the hospital's official stamp.
No. If you write your own note, it is a '请假条' (leave request). A '病假条' must come from a medical professional to be considered valid proof of illness.
The term is understood, but they often use '医生纸' (yīshēng zhǐ) in Hong Kong or '诊断证明书' more formally in Taiwan.
In China, the red stamp (公章) represents the authority of the institution. A signature alone is often seen as insufficient because it is easier to forge than an official institutional seal.
Test Yourself 180 questions
Translate to Chinese: 'The doctor issued a three-day sick note for me.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate to Chinese: 'I forgot to bring my sick note to school.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write a sentence using '提交' and '病假条'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate to Chinese: 'Do you have a sick note?'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write a sentence using '医院' and '开病假条'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate to Chinese: 'Without a sick note, you cannot take leave.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Describe what is on a sick note in Chinese (at least 3 items).
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate to Chinese: 'He is on sick leave today.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write a polite request to a doctor for a sick note.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate to Chinese: 'This is a fake sick note.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate to Chinese: 'I need to go to the front desk to get a stamp.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write a sentence using '补办' and '病假条'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate to Chinese: 'HR is checking my sick note.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate to Chinese: 'I sent the sick note to HR.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write a sentence using '因为...所以...' with '病假条'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate to Chinese: 'Is this sick note valid?'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate to Chinese: 'I have a one-week sick note.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write a sentence using '病假工资'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate to Chinese: 'The teacher asked for my sick note.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate to Chinese: 'I put the sick note in my bag.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Roleplay: You are at a hospital. Ask the doctor for a 3-day sick note.
Read this aloud:
You said:
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Explain to your boss why you are calling in sick and mention the sick note.
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Ask a coworker where to submit the sick note in the office.
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Describe what a standard Chinese sick note looks like.
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A friend wants to buy a fake sick note. Advise them against it.
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Tell your teacher you have a sick note from yesterday.
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Ask the hospital receptionist where to get your note stamped.
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Explain '病假工资' to someone who doesn't know the term.
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Tell HR that you will bring the original sick note tomorrow.
Read this aloud:
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Ask a doctor if they can extend your sick leave note.
Read this aloud:
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Talk about the pros and cons of electronic sick notes.
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Describe how you felt when you lost an important sick note.
Read this aloud:
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Ask if a certain hospital is authorized to issue notes for your company.
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Tell your mom you need to go to the hospital to get a note for school.
Read this aloud:
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Explain to a coworker why you had to '补办' your note.
Read this aloud:
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Use '病假条' in a sentence about labor rights.
Read this aloud:
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Ask a doctor to write the diagnosis more clearly on the note.
Read this aloud:
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Tell your boss you have a '诊断证明' instead of a '病假条'.
Read this aloud:
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Discuss if 1-day sick notes are necessary for small colds.
Read this aloud:
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Confirm the dates on your note with the hospital staff.
Read this aloud:
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Listen to the dialogue: (Audio: '医生,我发烧了。' '好,我给你开个三天的病假条。') Q: 医生开了几天的假?
Listen to the announcement: (Audio: '各位员工请注意,病假条请统一交给HR李小姐。') Q: 病假条交给谁?
Listen to the complaint: (Audio: '我的病假条没盖章,HR不收。') Q: 为什么HR不收病假条?
Listen to the question: (Audio: '你这张病假条是哪家医院开的?') Q: 说话人在问什么?
Listen to the instruction: (Audio: '请在提交请假申请时上传病假条照片。') Q: 需要上传什么?
Listen to the doctor: (Audio: '你需要静养,病假条我开好了。') Q: 医生建议病人做什么?
Listen to the student: (Audio: '老师,我病假条丢了,能补吗?') Q: 学生的病假条怎么了?
Listen to the news: (Audio: '电子病假条将在全市推广。') Q: 什么将在全市推广?
Listen to the HR manager: (Audio: '这张病假条日期不对。') Q: 病假条有什么问题?
Listen to the patient: (Audio: '麻烦帮我开个一周的假条。') Q: 病人想要多久的假?
Listen to the warning: (Audio: '伪造病假条后果很严重。') Q: 说话人在警告什么?
Listen to the coworker: (Audio: '我帮你把病假条带给老板吧。') Q: 同事要做什么?
Listen to the receptionist: (Audio: '盖章请去二楼。') Q: 盖章要去几楼?
Listen to the patient: (Audio: '医生忘了写日期了。') Q: 医生忘了写什么?
Listen to the boss: (Audio: '没病假条不能算病假。') Q: 没病假条算什么?
/ 180 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
The word '病假条' (bìngjiàtiáo) is a B1-level term essential for daily life in China. It refers to the physical or digital sick note issued by a hospital. Remember: You don't 'write' it yourself; a doctor '开' (issues) it, and you '交' (submit) it to your superior. Example: '医生给我开了一张三天的病假条' (The doctor issued a three-day sick note for me).
- A formal medical note issued by doctors in China to justify absence from work or school due to illness, requiring an official hospital stamp.
- Essential for securing 'sick pay' and avoiding 'truancy' marks in professional and academic settings across mainland China's administrative systems.
- Commonly paired with the verb '开' (to issue) and measured with '张' (zhāng), distinguishing it from a personal '请假条'.
- Acts as a critical legal and administrative link between healthcare providers and employers/educational institutions to verify health-related leave claims.
Check the Hospital Level
Many companies only accept notes from 'Grade A' (三甲) hospitals. Don't waste time at a small clinic if your HR is strict.
Use '张' not '条'
Even though the word ends in '条', always use the measure word '张' (zhāng) when counting them.
Ask Early
Ask the doctor for the note *during* the consultation. It’s much harder to get one after you’ve already left the room.
Don't Buy Notes
Buying fake sick notes online is a common but dangerous practice that can lead to immediate firing for 'dishonesty'.
Example
他需要一张病假条才能请假。
Related Content
More health words
一粒
A2One pill; a grain (for small, round objects like pills).
一片
A2One tablet; a slice (for flat objects like pills).
不正常
A2abnormal
以上
A2Above, over (a number)
酸痛
A2Sore; aching (especially muscles).
倒是
A2On the contrary; actually.
针灸
A2Acupuncture; traditional Chinese therapy.
扎针
A2to give an injection
急性
B1acute (illness)
急性病
B1Acute disease.