出差

• Pinyin: chū chāi
• Hanzi breakdown: 出 (go out) + 差 (assignment, official errand)

Meaning

To go on a business trip.

Specifically refers to work-related travel, not personal trips. Common in professional settings. Can be used as a verb or noun phrase. Often involves travel to another city or country for work purposes.

Examples

1. 他下周要去上海出差，大概待三天。 He's going on a business trip to Shanghai next week, staying for about three days.
2. 这个月我出差太频繁了，想在家休息几天。 I've been traveling for work too frequently this month; I want to rest at home for a few days.
3. 出差的时候别忘了带上公司的文件。 Don't forget to bring the company documents when you go on your business trip.

Usage Guide

Context: work, business, travel

Tone: professional

Do Say

• 他出差去了，下周回来。(He's on a business trip; he'll be back next week.)
• 出差费用公司报销吗？(Does the company reimburse business trip expenses?)

Don't Say

• 说'我出差去旅游'是矛盾的——出差专指工作，旅游是休闲，应该分开说 (Saying 我出差去旅游 is contradictory — 出差 is for work, 旅游 is for leisure; keep them separate)

Origin & History

Compound of 出 (to go out) + 差 (assignment, errand), meaning to go out on an official assignment.

Cultural Context

Generation: Working adults

Social background: Universal