zǎotuì: 早退 - To leave early

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Summary: Learn the essential Chinese verb 早退 (zǎotuì), which means “to leave early” from a scheduled commitment like work, school, or a meeting. This guide explains its cultural nuances, showing why it often carries a more negative connotation than in English. Discover how to use it correctly in various contexts, from asking for permission to leave work to describing a student who feels unwell, with 10 practical example sentences and clear analysis for beginner to intermediate learners.

Pinyin (with tone marks): zǎotuì

Part of Speech: Verb

HSK Level: HSK 4

Concise Definition: To leave a place (like an office, classroom, or meeting) before the officially scheduled end time.

In a Nutshell: Think of 早退 (zǎotuì) as the direct opposite of being late (迟到, chídào). While being late is about arriving after the start time, 早退 is about leaving before the end time. It implies cutting short a period of time you are obligated to be present for. It's not just “leaving early” in a general sense, but specifically leaving before you're supposed to, which often requires permission or has negative consequences.

早 (zǎo): This character means “early” or “morning.” It's a pictograph of the sun (日) above what was originally a representation of a helmet (甲), symbolizing the sun rising early in the day.

退 (tuì): This character means “to retreat,” “to withdraw,” or “to move back.” The radical on the left (辶) is related to walking or movement.

Combined Meaning: When you put them together, 早 (early) + 退 (retreat/withdraw) literally means “to retreat early.” This perfectly captures the idea of withdrawing from your duties or presence at a place before the proper time.

In Chinese work and school culture, there's a strong emphasis on diligence, collective responsibility, and “face time” (being visibly present). The act of 早退 (zǎotuì) without a valid, approved reason can be seen as a sign of laziness, a lack of commitment to the group (the company or class), or disrespect for authority. It suggests that your personal matters are more important than your obligations.

Comparison to Western Culture: In many modern Western workplaces, particularly those with “results-oriented” cultures, leaving early might be acceptable if your tasks are complete. The focus is on output, not hours clocked. In more traditional Chinese environments, however, being physically present until the end of the day is often an unwritten rule. Therefore, 早退 can carry a much stronger negative weight than the English phrase “to leave early,” which can be neutral. An unapproved 早退 can cause someone to lose face (丢面子, diū miànzi) and be viewed as a poor team player.

Formal vs. Informal: The term 早退 is a standard, neutral term in itself, but its connotation depends entirely on the context.

School and Work: The term is used almost identically in both school and work environments. It's a fundamental concept related to attendance.

Key takeaway: If there's no official schedule or obligation, use `早点走 (zǎodiǎn zǒu)` or `早点离开 (zǎodiǎn líkāi)`. If you are ducking out of work, school, or a mandatory meeting, use `早退 (zǎotuì)`.

迟到 (chídào) - The direct antonym of `早退`. It means “to arrive late.”

请假 (qǐngjià) - To ask for leave/time off. This is the proper procedure to get permission for an absence, which could include a `早退`.

旷工 (kuànggōng) - To be absent from work without leave. This is much more serious than `早退`.

旷课 (kuàngkè) - To be absent from class without leave; to skip class. The school equivalent of `旷工`.

加班 (jiābān) - A related opposite concept: to work overtime.

打卡 (dǎkǎ) - To clock in/out. The `打卡` system is often used to track `迟到` and `早退`.

翘班 (qiàobān) - A colloquial/slang term for skipping work; similar to playing hooky from work. More informal than `旷工`.

翘课 (qiàokè) - A colloquial/slang term for skipping class. More informal than `旷课`.