How do you use "Sick note" in a sentence?

I need a sick note for work. The GP gave me a sick note for two weeks. He's always getting sick notes—proper sick note, he is.

Sick note

Q: What does "Sick note" mean?

Doctor's certificate excusing absence from work. A sick note (officially 'fit note' since 2010) is a doctor's certificate explaining why you can't work. Needed for absences over 7 days. 'Getting a sick note' is routine for longer illnesses. Also used pejoratively for someone always off sick.

Slang Term British ★★★★★ Very Common Casual

Practice this with flashcards, quizzes & audio on WordLoci →

Meaning: Doctor's certificate excusing absence from work.

医生开的请假证明。

Certificado médico que justifica una ausencia laboral.

欠勤を証明する医師の診断書。

결근을 증명하는 의사 진단서.

A sick note (officially 'fit note' since 2010) is a doctor's certificate explaining why you can't work. Needed for absences over 7 days. 'Getting a sick note' is routine for longer illnesses. Also used pejoratively for someone always off sick.

sick note（2010年起正式名称为「fit note」）是医生开具的说明你无法工作的证明。缺勤超过7天时需要。「Getting a sick note」是较长病假的常规操作。也用作贬义，指总是请病假的人。

Un «sick note» (oficialmente «fit note» desde 2010) es un certificado médico que explica por qué no puedes trabajar. Se necesita para ausencias de más de 7 días. «Getting a sick note» es rutinario para enfermedades largas. También se usa despectivamente para alguien que siempre está de baja.

sick note（2010年以降の正式名称は「fit note」）は、働けない理由を説明する医師の診断書。7日以上の欠勤時に必要。「Getting a sick note」は長期の病気では普通のこと。また、いつも病欠する人を軽蔑的に指す言い方としても使われる。

Sick note(2010년부터 공식 명칭은 'fit note')는 근무 불가 사유를 설명하는 의사 진단서입니다. 7일 이상 결근 시 필요합니다. 'Getting a sick note'는 장기 병가 시 일상적인 절차입니다. 또한 항상 아프다고 쉬는 사람을 비꼬는 의미로도 쓰입니다.

Examples

I need a sick note for work.
我需要一张请假证明交给公司
Necesito un justificante médico para el trabajo
「仕事用の診断書が必要だ」
직장에 낼 진단서가 필요해.
The GP gave me a sick note for two weeks.
家庭医生给我开了两周的病假条
El médico de cabecera me dio la baja por dos semanas
「かかりつけ医に2週間の診断書をもらった」
담당 의사가 2주짜리 진단서를 써줬어.
He's always getting sick notes—proper sick note, he is.
他老是开病假条——真是个泡病号的
Siempre está de baja, es un baja profesional
「いつも診断書もらってる——本当に仮病の常習犯だ」
그는 맨날 진단서를 받아와—완전 꾀병 상습범이야.

Pronunciation

/sɪk nəʊt/

Usage Guide

Context: work, GP, absence

Tone: practical, sometimes pejorative

✓ Do Say

Get a sick note
开病假条
conseguir un justificante médico
診断書をもらう
진단서를 받다
Sick note culture
病假文化
cultura del absentismo
病欠文化
병가 문화
Need a sick note
需要病假条
necesitar un justificante médico
診断書が必要
진단서가 필요해

✗ Don't Say

Officially called 'fit note' now
现在正式名称叫「fit note」
Oficialmente ahora se llama «fit note»
正式には現在「fit note」と呼ばれている
공식 명칭은 현재 'fit note'로 변경됨

Common Mistakes

Now legally called fit note but sick note is still used

Origin & History

From the note provided by doctors to employers. Essential part of British employment culture. The system changed to 'fit notes' in 2010, focusing on what people CAN do, but 'sick note' persists in speech.

Etymology: Sick + note (certificate)

First recorded: 20th century

Cultural Context

Era: 20th century

Generation: All ages

Social background: Working/middle class

Pop culture: Workplace culture

Regional notes: British employment system.

Variations

Sick noteFit note