In Chinese work culture, which has traditionally valued diligence and long hours, the concept of 休假 has a slightly different weight than “vacation” in the West. While an American “vacation” often implies an activity-filled trip, 休假 (xiūjià) is fundamentally about the absence from work. A perfectly acceptable and common way to 休假 is to simply stay home, sleep in, and relax. The emphasis is on the 休 (xiū)—the rest and recovery from the pressures of work. Historically, long personal vacations were a luxury reserved for a select few. For most, time off was limited to national holidays. However, with China's economic development and a growing awareness of mental health and work-life balance (partially as a reaction to the infamous “996” work culture), the importance of personal 休假 is increasing. Laws mandating 年假 (niánjià), or paid annual leave, are now more established, and employees are more assertive about taking their deserved time off. Therefore, when you use 休假, you're tapping into a modern, evolving concept in China: the personal right to rest and recharge.
休假 (xiūjià) is a flexible word used in both formal and informal contexts. As a Separable Verb: This is a crucial grammar point. You can insert the duration of the leave between 休 and 假. This is extremely common.
In the Workplace: The most common phrase you'll hear in an office is 申请休假 (shēnqǐng xiūjià), which means “to apply for leave.”
In Conversation: When talking with friends, it's used to ask about their time off or share your own plans.
As a Noun: It can also function as a noun, referring to the vacation/leave itself.
The most common point of confusion for learners is distinguishing 休假 from 假期 (jiàqī) and 放假 (fàngjià).