kuàng gōng: 旷工 - To be Absent from Work Without Leave, Absenteeism
Quick Summary
Keywords: kuang gong, 旷工, absent from work Chinese, skip work Chinese, AWOL Chinese, Chinese for absenteeism, play hooky from work Chinese, unauthorized absence Chinese, dereliction of duty Chinese.
Summary: Learn the essential Chinese term 旷工 (kuàng gōng), which means to be absent from work without permission or notice. This is a serious act, distinct from simply taking a sick day (请假, qǐngjià), and is often considered a breach of contract that can lead to disciplinary action, including being fired. This page covers its cultural implications, practical usage in the modern Chinese workplace, and key differences from related terms.
Core Meaning
Pinyin (with tone marks): kuàng gōng
Part of Speech: Verb / Noun
HSK Level: HSK 5
Concise Definition: To be absent from work without asking for leave; the act of absenteeism.
In a Nutshell:旷工 (kuàng gōng) is the Chinese equivalent of the military term “AWOL” (Absent Without Official Leave), but for the workplace. It's not just “calling in sick” or “taking a day off.” It implies a serious neglect of one's professional duty by disappearing from the job without any approved leave. The term carries a strong negative connotation and is used in formal or serious contexts, like HR policies and disciplinary meetings.
Character Breakdown
旷 (kuàng): The primary meaning of this character is “vast,” “open,” or “spacious.” In this word, it takes on the verbal meaning of “to leave empty” or “to neglect.” Imagine a wide, empty space where something—or someone—is supposed to be.
工 (gōng): This character simply means “work,” “labor,” or “job.” It's one of the most fundamental characters related to employment and is said to be a pictogram of an ancient carpenter's square.
When combined, 旷工 (kuàng gōng) literally translates to “to leave work empty” or “to neglect one's job.” The characters create a very direct and potent image of someone abandoning their post, making the meaning unambiguous.
Cultural Context and Significance
旷工 (kuàng gōng) is more than just a logistical issue; it's a violation of important cultural values in China. The concept of 责任感 (zérèngǎn), or “sense of responsibility,” is highly prized. An employee is not just an individual but part of a collective, a 单位 (dānwèi) or “work unit.” Willfully being absent without cause is seen as letting down the entire team and showing a lack of respect for the group's objectives and harmony.
Comparison to Western Culture: In American or Western culture, “playing hooky” or “calling in sick” when not actually ill might be frowned upon, but it can sometimes be treated with a degree of casualness or even humor. 旷工 (kuàng gōng) has none of these lighthearted connotations. It is much closer in severity to “job abandonment” or “no-call, no-show,” which are formal grounds for immediate termination in many Western companies. While a “mental health day” is a growing concept in the West, disappearing without notice in China would be classified as 旷工 and viewed as highly irresponsible, not as a form of self-care.
Practical Usage in Modern China
旷工 (kuàng gōng) is primarily used in formal and professional settings. You will see it in employee handbooks, formal warning letters, and termination notices.
A manager would use this term when discussing a serious attendance problem with an employee or with HR. For example, “他已经旷工三天了” (He has been AWOL for three days).
It is almost always used with a negative connotation. You would never say you are planning to 旷工 in a casual way, as it implies a deliberate and serious violation of rules.
When used as a noun, it refers to the act of “absenteeism,” e.g., “公司对旷工的处理非常严格” (The company's handling of absenteeism is very strict).
Example Sentences
Example 1:
他今天无故旷工了。
Pinyin: Tā jīntiān wúgù kuànggōng le.
English: He was absent from work today without reason.
Analysis: A simple, factual statement. “无故 (wúgù)” means “without reason” and reinforces the unauthorized nature of the absence.
English: According to company regulations, being absent without leave for three consecutive days will result in termination.
Analysis: This is a typical sentence you would find in an employee contract or handbook. “开除 (kāichú)” means “to fire/expel,” a common consequence of 旷工.
English: I just took one day of sick leave, I wasn't AWOL.
Analysis: This sentence clearly illustrates the critical difference between “请假 (qǐngjià)” (taking approved leave) and 旷工 (kuàng gōng).
Example 5:
他的旷工行为给整个团队带来了很多麻烦。
Pinyin: Tā de kuànggōng xíngwéi gěi zhěnggè tuánduì dài láile hěnduō máfan.
English: His act of absenteeism brought a lot of trouble to the whole team.
Analysis: Here, 旷工 is used as a noun, modified by “行为 (xíngwéi)” (behavior/act), to describe the problematic action itself.
Example 6:
年轻人，我劝你不要拿自己的前途开玩笑，千万不要旷工。
Pinyin: Niánqīng rén, wǒ quàn nǐ bùyào ná zìjǐ de qiántú kāiwánxiào, qiānwàn bùyào kuànggōng.
English: Young man, I advise you not to joke about your future; absolutely do not be absent without leave.
Analysis: This is a strong piece of advice from a senior to a junior, highlighting the severe career consequences of 旷工. “千万不要 (qiānwàn bùyào)” means “absolutely do not.”
English: If you don't feel well, you should call in advance to ask for leave instead of just not showing up.
Analysis: This sentence provides a practical guide on correct workplace etiquette, contrasting the right action (请假) with the wrong one (旷工).
Example 8:
人力资源部正在调查他的旷工记录。
Pinyin: Rénlì zīyuán bù zhèngzài diàochá tā de kuànggōng jìlù.
English: The Human Resources department is investigating his absenteeism record.
Analysis: Shows the term used in a very formal, corporate context. “旷工记录 (kuànggōng jìlù)” means “absenteeism record.”
Example 9:
他因为家里有急事，不得已才旷工了一天。
Pinyin: Tā yīnwèi jiālǐ yǒu jíshì, bùdéyǐ cái kuànggōng le yītiān.
English: He had a family emergency, so he had no choice but to be absent from work for a day.
Analysis: This sentence provides a mitigating circumstance. “不得已 (bùdéyǐ)” means “to have no choice,” which softens the negativity of 旷工 slightly, though it's still acknowledged as an unapproved absence.
Example 10:
任何形式的旷工都会影响你的年终奖金。
Pinyin: Rènhé xíngshì de kuànggōng dōu huì yǐngxiǎng nǐ de niánzhōng jiǎngjīn.
English: Any form of absenteeism will affect your year-end bonus.
Analysis: This sentence uses 旷工 as a general concept (“any form of absenteeism”) and connects it to a tangible financial consequence, which is a common practice in Chinese companies.
Nuances and Common Mistakes
旷工 (kuànggōng) vs. 请假 (qǐngjià): This is the most critical distinction for any learner.
请假 (qǐngjià) is “to ask for leave.” It is a neutral, standard procedure. You can `请病假 (qǐng bìngjià)` (take sick leave) or `请事假 (qǐng shìjià)` (take personal leave). This is the correct and responsible way to be absent.
旷工 (kuànggōng) is being absent *without* having gone through the `请假` process. It implies negligence or defiance.
Incorrect: A student might say, “我明天生病了，所以要旷工。” (Wǒ míngtiān shēngbìng le, suǒyǐ yào kuànggōng.) This translates to “I'm sick tomorrow, so I need to be AWOL,” which sounds strange and irresponsible.
Correct: “我生病了，需要请一天假。” (Wǒ shēngbìng le, xūyào qǐng yītiān jià.) - “I'm sick and need to ask for a day off.”
Not a “False Friend,” but a Tonal Mismatch: Don't confuse 旷工 (kuànggōng) with the English idea of “taking a day off” to relax. In Chinese, if you need a break, you must formally request it using your allotted personal leave days (`请事假`). Simply not showing up is not an option and will be viewed as a serious offense.
Related Terms and Concepts
请假 (qǐngjià) - The correct procedure for being absent; to ask for leave. The direct opposite of 旷工.
旷课 (kuàngkè) - The academic equivalent of 旷工; to skip class, to be truant.
迟到 (chídào) - To be late for work. A less severe offense than 旷工.
早退 (zǎotuì) - To leave work early without permission. Also less severe than 旷工.
开除 (kāichú) - To fire or expel. A common and severe consequence of repeated 旷工.
上班 (shàngbān) - To go to work; to be at work. The opposite action of 旷工.
辞职 (cízhí) - To resign or quit a job. This is the formal, accepted way to leave employment permanently.
责任感 (zérèngǎn) - Sense of responsibility. The cultural value that 旷工 directly violates.
单位 (dānwèi) - Work unit; workplace. The collective entity that is let down by an act of 旷工.