Summer is coming. It’s really warm here in Beijing. At this time of year, schools in China are usually preparing for final exams. Summer vacation 暑假(shǔjià) in schools will start next week. So let’s talk about some words about vacations.

Vacation or holiday in Chinese is 假期(jiàqī). It’s a noun. 

假期(jiàqī)你(nǐ)有(yǒu)什么(shénme)打算(dǎsuan)？

What plan do you have during the holidays?

May Day holiday is 五一(wǔyī)假期(jiàqī).

National Day holiday is 十一(shíyī)假期(jiàqī), because Chinese National Day is Oct. 1st.

Summer holiday is 暑假(shǔjià), 假(jià) from 假期(jiàqī), 暑(shǔ) means hot weather or summer.

Winter vacation is 寒假(hánjià), 寒(hán) means cold weather.

Schools in China usually have two semesters, with the new semester starting in September and March. There is a summer vacation in July and August, and a winter vacation from January to February.

中国(zhōngguó)的(de)学校(xuéxiào)一般(yìbān)7月(yuè)和(hé)8月(yuè)放(fàng)暑假(shǔjià)，1月(yuè)和(hé)2月(yuè)放(fàng)寒假(hánjià).

The verb we use for have a holiday to take a vacation is 放(fàng). 放假(fàngjià) is have a holiday or take a vacation in general. 放(fàng)暑假(shǔjià) is to have a summer vacation; 放(fàng)寒假(hánjià) is to have a winter vacation.

For working adults, apart from public holidays 公众假期(gōngzhòngjiàqī), they may also have 年假(niánjià) annual leave for 5-10 days each year.

To take an annual leave in Chinese usually we use the verb 休(xiū), 休(xiū)年假(niánjià). 休(xiū) is from the word 休息(xiūxi), to rest. But before you 休(xiū)年假(niánjià), I think you need to request leave of absence from work. To request or ask for a leave in Chinese is 请(qǐng)假(jià). Still the same 假(jià) from 假期(jiàqī), 请(qǐng) is the same 请(qǐng) for please, request, ask, like 请问(qǐngwèn)，请(qǐng)帮(bāng)我(wǒ)一下(yíxià). 

请假(qǐngjià) ask for a leave of absence from work or school

请(qǐng)年假(niánjià) apply for annual leave

请(qǐng)病假(bìngjià) ask for a sick leave

请(qǐng)事假(shìjià) ask for personal leave

小王(xiǎowáng)今天(jīntiān)怎么(zěnme)没(méi)来(lái)上课(shàngkè)？

Why didn't xiao Wang come to class today?

-他(tā)感冒(gǎnmào)了(le)，请(qǐng)了(le)病假(bìngjià)。

He caught a cold and took sick leave.

经理(jīnglǐ)，下(xià)个(gè)星期(xīngqī)我(wǒ)想(xiǎng)请(qǐng)年假(niánjià)，我(wǒ)女儿(nǚ’ér)放(fàng)暑假(shǔjià)了(le)，我(wǒ)想(xiǎng)带(dài)她(tā)去(qù)迪士尼(díshìní)。Manager, I would like to apply for annual leave next week. My daughter is on summer vacation and I want to take her to Disney.

Do you have any plan in this summer? 你(nǐ)放(fàng)暑假(shǔjià)吗(ma)？有(yǒu)什么(shénme)打算(dǎsuàn)？Leave a comment and let us know!

Also our Chinese course for Children and Youth is have a 20% off during the summer! Check the course details from www.eblcu.com/ccy or contact us to book a trial class for your kid!