加班

• Pinyin: jiā bān
• Hanzi breakdown: 加 = 力 (strength) + 口 (mouth) — to add effort; 班 = 王 (jade) + 刂 (knife) — originally cutting jade, now a work shift

Meaning

To work overtime. Working beyond regular hours at one's job.

A very common term in Chinese workplace culture. Can be used as a verb (我要加班) or noun modifier (加班费 = overtime pay). Related expressions include 加班加点 (working extra hours and shifts), 加班到很晚 (working overtime until very late), and 无偿加班 (unpaid overtime). Reflects a significant aspect of modern Chinese work culture.

Examples

1. 这个星期我每天都要加班到九点。 This week I have to work overtime until nine o'clock every day.
2. 老板让我们周末也来加班。 The boss asked us to come in on the weekend to work overtime too.
3. 加班太多对身体不好。 Working too much overtime is bad for your health.

Usage Guide

Context: workplace, daily life

Tone: matter-of-fact

Do Say

• 今天又要加班了。(I have to work overtime again today.)
• 你经常加班吗？(Do you often work overtime?)

Don't Say

• 我在家加班学习 (Don't use 加班 for personal study — 加班 specifically means extra work hours at a job; say 多学一会儿 instead)

Origin & History

A compound of 加 (to add/increase) and 班 (work shift/class), literally meaning to add extra work shifts beyond the normal schedule.

Cultural Context

Generation: Working adults

Social background: Universal