暑假

• Pinyin: shǔ jià
• Hanzi breakdown: 暑 = 日 (sun) + 者 (one who), meaning summer heat; 假 = 亻(person) + 暇 (phonetic), meaning holiday or leave

Meaning

Summer vacation; summer holiday. The break from school during the hot season.

Refers specifically to the school summer holiday, typically July and August in China. Used by students, teachers, and parents. The opposite season's break is 寒假 (winter holiday).

Examples

1. 暑假的时候我打算去海边玩。 I plan to go to the seaside during summer vacation.
2. 孩子们都盼着暑假快点到来。 The children are all looking forward to summer break arriving soon.
3. 这个暑假我报了一个游泳班。 I signed up for a swimming class this summer holiday.

Usage Guide

Context: education, travel, everyday

Tone: casual

Do Say

• 你暑假有什么计划？(What are your plans for summer break?)
• 暑假作业太多了，都写不完。(There's so much summer holiday homework; I can't finish it all.)

Don't Say

• 公司放了一个暑假。(Don't use 暑假 for work holidays — it is only for school breaks. Use 年假 or 休假 for work leave.)

Origin & History

Compound of 暑 (hot, summer heat) and 假 (holiday, vacation), literally 'summer-heat holiday.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal