请假

• Pinyin: qǐng jià
• Hanzi breakdown: 请 = 讠(speech) + 青 (phonetic); 假 = 亻(person) + 叚 (phonetic), meaning leave or holiday

Meaning

To ask for leave; to request time off. Used for taking leave from school or work.

A verb-object compound meaning to formally request leave of absence. Used at school, work, or any obligation. Can specify the type of leave: 病假 (sick leave), 事假 (personal leave). The duration can be specified, e.g. 请一天假 (ask for one day off).

Examples

1. 我今天要请假。 I need to ask for leave today.
2. 她请了三天假。 She took three days off.
3. 你为什么请假？ Why did you ask for leave?

Usage Guide

Context: work, school

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 老师，我想请一天假。(Teacher, I'd like to take one day off.)
• 他因为生病请假了。(He asked for leave because he was sick.)

Don't Say

• 我请一个假。(Don't use 一个 — say 请假 on its own or 请一天假 with a time duration)

Origin & History

A verb-object compound of 请 (to request) and 假 (leave/holiday), literally 'to request leave.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal