休假

• Pinyin: xiū jià
• Hanzi breakdown: 休 = 亻(person) + 木 (tree), a person resting against a tree; 假 = 亻(person) + 叚 (phonetic), meaning 'leave/vacation'

Meaning

To take a vacation or leave from work. Refers to a period of rest away from duties.

休假 is used for both short leave and longer holidays. It is commonly used in workplace contexts. Related words include 放假 (to have a holiday, often school or public holidays), 请假 (to ask for leave), and 假期 (holiday period).

Examples

1. 下个星期我要休假。 I'm going to take a vacation next week.
2. 他休假去旅行了。 He went travelling during his leave.
3. 你今年还有几天可以休假？ How many days of leave do you still have this year?

Usage Guide

Context: work, travel planning

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 我打算下个月休假。(I plan to take leave next month.)
• 他正在休假，下周回来。(He's on leave and will be back next week.)

Don't Say

• 我想休假三个假 (The measure word for days of leave is 天, not 假 — say 我想休假三天)

Origin & History

休 means 'to rest' and 假 means 'leave' or 'vacation.' Together they mean to take time off for rest — to go on leave.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal