qǐngjià: 请假 - To Ask for Leave of Absence, To Request Time Off

• Keywords: 请假, qǐngjià, ask for leave Chinese, request time off Chinese, how to say sick day in Chinese, take a day off in Chinese, Chinese vocabulary for work, business Chinese, 请假怎么用, qingjia meaning, separable verb Chinese.
• Summary: Learn how to use “请假” (qǐngjià), the essential Chinese verb for requesting time off from work or school. This guide covers its meaning, cultural significance, practical examples for asking for sick leave or personal days, and common mistakes to avoid. Understand why “请假” is more than just “taking a day off”—it's a key part of showing respect in Chinese culture.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): qǐng jià
• Part of Speech: Separable Verb (Verb-Object Compound)
• HSK Level: HSK 3
• Concise Definition: To formally request permission to be absent from a required duty, such as work or school.
• In a Nutshell: “请假” (qǐngjià) is the action of asking for permission to take leave. It's not about the leave itself, but the polite and formal process of requesting it. Think of it as “to request a leave of absence.” This term carries a sense of respect for the authority (your boss, your teacher) who must grant you the permission.

• 请 (qǐng): This character means “to ask,” “to request,” or “please.” It's composed of the “speech” radical `言 (yán)` on the left and `青 (qīng)` on the right, which provides the sound. The character fundamentally relates to a polite, spoken request.
• 假 (jià): In this context, this character means “leave” or “vacation.” It's composed of the “person” radical `亻(rén)` on the left, suggesting it's something people do. (Be aware: this character is also pronounced `jiǎ`, where it means “false” or “fake,” but that's not its meaning here).
• The two characters combine literally and logically: 请 (to request) + 假 (leave) = to request leave.

In many Western cultures, particularly American culture, taking a day off (especially a sick day) can be framed as asserting a right. An employee might say, “I'm taking a sick day today.” The focus is on the individual's entitlement. In Chinese culture, the process is framed differently due to traditional values of hierarchy, respect for authority, and collectivism. 请假 (qǐngjià) is a formal request made to a superior, not a declaration. By using this term, you are acknowledging your role within the group (the company, the class) and showing respect for your boss's or teacher's authority to manage the team's resources—including your time. This act reinforces group harmony. Instead of simply disappearing and causing disruption, you are formally explaining your absence and seeking approval, allowing the leader to plan accordingly. Failing to 请假 and simply not showing up is a serious offense called 旷工 (kuànggōng) for work or 旷课 (kuàngkè) for school, which shows great disrespect.

请假 is a high-frequency term used in daily professional and academic life.

• In the Workplace: This is the standard way to ask for any type of leave. You would say it to your direct supervisor or HR. For formal requests, especially for multiple days, a written request called a 请假条 (qǐngjiàtiáo) might be required.
• `我要跟老板请个假。` (Wǒ yào gēn lǎobǎn qǐng ge jià.) - “I need to ask the boss for a day off.”
• At School: Students use 请假 to request absence from class from their teacher (老师 lǎoshī) or head-teacher (班主任 bānzhǔrèn).
• `王老师，我明天想请病假。` (Wáng lǎoshī, wǒ míngtiān xiǎng qǐng bìngjià.) - “Teacher Wang, I'd like to request a sick leave for tomorrow.”
• Formality: The act of 请假 is inherently formal, but the medium can vary. While a formal 请假条 exists, it's now very common to send a polite and clear message on a work app like WeChat or DingTalk. Even in a text message, the tone remains respectful.

• Example 1:
  • 我今天身体不舒服，想请假一天。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ jīntiān shēntǐ bù shūfu, xiǎng qǐngjià yī tiān.
  • English: I'm not feeling well today, I'd like to ask for one day off.
  • Analysis: A very standard and polite way to request sick leave. `想 (xiǎng)` softens the request. Notice the “separable” nature: `请假一天 (qǐngjià yī tiān)` means “request leave [for] one day.”
• Example 2:
  • 你为什么要请假？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ wèishéme yào qǐngjià?
  • English: Why do you need to take time off?
  • Analysis: A common question from a manager or teacher after you make a request.
• Example 3:
  • 我已经跟经理请过假了。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ yǐjīng gēn jīnglǐ qǐng guo jià le.
  • English: I have already asked the manager for leave.
  • Analysis: This shows the past tense using `过 (guo)` and demonstrates the verb's separability. `请过假 (qǐng guo jià)` literally means “have requested leave before.”
• Example 4:
  • 老板批准了我的请假申请。
  • Pinyin: Lǎobǎn pīzhǔn le wǒ de qǐngjià shēnqǐng.
  • English: The boss approved my leave request.
  • Analysis: Here, `请假` is used as an adjective modifying `申请 (shēnqǐng - application/request)`. `批准 (pīzhǔn)` is the verb for “to approve.”
• Example 5:
  • 他下周要请三天事假去参加婚礼。
  • Pinyin: Tā xià zhōu yào qǐng sān tiān shìjià qù cānjiā hūnlǐ.
  • English: He needs to request three days of personal leave next week to attend a wedding.
  • Analysis: This specifies the type of leave: 事假 (shìjià), or “personal leave.” It also shows the structure: `请 + duration + 假`.
• Example 6:
  • 如果你需要请假，你得提前写一张请假条。
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ nǐ xūyào qǐngjià, nǐ děi tíqián xiě yī zhāng qǐngjiàtiáo.
  • English: If you need to request leave, you have to write a leave request form in advance.
  • Analysis: This introduces the related noun 请假条 (qǐngjiàtiáo), the physical note or form for the request.
• Example 7:
  • 对不起，我们部门最近太忙了，你不能请假。
  • Pinyin: Duìbuqǐ, wǒmen bùmén zuìjìn tài máng le, nǐ bùnéng qǐngjià.
  • English: Sorry, our department is too busy recently, you can't take time off.
  • Analysis: An example of a leave request being denied.
• Example 8:
  • 小明今天没来上课，他请假了吗？
  • Pinyin: Xiǎo Míng jīntiān méi lái shàngkè, tā qǐngjià le ma?
  • English: Xiao Ming isn't in class today, did he ask for leave?
  • Analysis: A common question among classmates or colleagues when someone is absent. It highlights that asking for leave is the expected procedure.
• Example 9:
  • 我这个月已经请了两次假了，不好意思再请假了。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ zhège yuè yǐjīng qǐng le liǎng cì jià le, bù hǎoyìsi zài qǐngjià le.
  • English: I've already taken leave twice this month, I'm too embarrassed to ask for more time off.
  • Analysis: Shows the cultural nuance of not wanting to ask for too much leave and cause trouble for the group. Note the separable `请了两次假 (qǐng le liǎng cì jià)`.
• Example 10:
  • 请假的手续有点复杂。
  • Pinyin: Qǐngjià de shǒuxù yǒudiǎn fùzá.
  • English: The procedure for requesting leave is a bit complicated.
  • Analysis: Here, `请假` acts as a noun, referring to the concept or process of “requesting leave.”

• 请假 (qǐngjià) vs. 放假 (fàngjià): This is the most common mistake for learners.
  • 请假 (qǐngjià): An individual's request for time off. It's an action you initiate. (e.g., “I want to request leave.”)
  • 放假 (fàngjià): The company or school gives everyone time off for a holiday. It's an action done to you. (e.g., “We are on holiday for National Day.”)
  • Incorrect: `*我明天想放假。` (This sounds like you are the boss giving yourself a holiday).
  • Correct: `我明天想请假。`
• Understanding its Separable Structure: `请假` is a verb-object compound, which means you can—and often should—insert other words in the middle. The structure is typically `请 + [Duration/Type] + 假`.
  • `请一天假` (qǐng yī tiān jià) - to ask for one day's leave.
  • `请病假` (qǐng bìngjià) - to ask for sick leave.
  • `请过三次假` (qǐng guo sān cì jià) - to have asked for leave three times.
  • While you might hear `请假一天`, learning the separable structure `请一天假` is crucial for more complex sentences.

• 病假 (bìngjià) - Sick leave. A specific reason for `请假`.
• 事假 (shìjià) - Personal leave (for personal matters). Another common reason for `请假`.
• 年假 (niánjià) - Annual leave; paid vacation time that is part of your contract.
• 放假 (fàngjià) - To be on holiday; vacation (when the whole company/school is off). The opposite concept to an individual request.
• 请假条 (qǐngjiàtiáo) - A written note or formal document for requesting leave.
• 批准 (pīzhǔn) - To approve; to ratify. The action a superior takes to grant your `请假` request.
• 上班 (shàngbān) / 上课 (shàngkè) - To go to work / to go to class. What you do when you are not on leave.
• 旷工 (kuànggōng) - To be absent from work without leave. A serious offense.
• 旷课 (kuàngkè) - To skip class without permission.
• 迟到 (chídào) - To arrive late. Another attendance-related issue, but less severe than `旷工`.