假期
jiàqī
In Chinese, the English phrase "vacation" is translated as 假期 (jiàqī).
假期 is a noun used to describe a period of leisure time. While 假期 serves as the noun, if you wish to express the action of being on vacation or having a break, it is more natural to use the verb phrase 放假.
Meaning: period of leisure time (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 假期 is composed of 假 (jiǎ) meaning 'false/rest' and 期 (qī) meaning 'period/time'.
Which one should you use?
假期 is a general term for any period of leisure. In contrast, 節日 (jiérì) refers specifically to holidays or festivals like Christmas or Mid-Autumn Festival.
How does it change in a sentence?
When expressing the state of being on vacation, the verb phrase 放假 is used. For example, rather than using the noun 假期 alone, it is more natural to say 我在放假 (wǒ zài fàngjià) to mean "I am on vacation."
How do you pronounce it?
jiàqī
Did you know?
- The character 假 in 假期 also means 'false' or 'fake'. It is the same character used in the word for 'fake' or 'pretend'.
- Because 假期 can mean any leisure time, it can sometimes be used to refer to a student's school break, whereas 'vacation' in English often implies travel or a trip.
- In a professional context, if a boss says they are 放假, it often implies a formal, scheduled leave rather than just a spontaneous break.
Examples in context
- 你需要個假期。You need a vacation.This sentence shows how to express the need for a 假期.Tatoeba #6111984 by verdastelo9604, translation #2647245 by CK
- 我的假期一下就過完了。My vacation went by quickly.This sentence describes how quickly a 假期 passed.Tatoeba #1250594 by tsayng, translation #19811 by CK
- 在假期中我什麼都沒有做。I didn't do anything during my vacation.This sentence describes activities (or lack thereof) during a 假期.Tatoeba #5114740 by xjjAstrus, translation #5165053 by shibeilei
- 我计划在假期里旅行一周。I plan to travel for a week during my vacation.
- 下个星期我要放假。I'm taking a vacation next week.
- 我要休假一个月去旅游。I'm taking a one-month vacation to travel.
- 我打算到海边度假一周。I plan to have a one-week beach vacation.
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two coworkers are talking about their upcoming break.
- 雨婷 Yuting志强，你的假期什麼時候開始？Zhìqiáng, nǐ de jiàqī shénme shíhou kāishǐ?Zhiqiang, when does your vacation start?
- 志强 Zhiqiang我的假期從下週一開始。Wǒ de jiàqī cóng xià zhōu yī kāishǐ.My vacation starts next Monday.
- 雨婷 Yuting祝你假期愉快！Zhù nǐ jiàqī yúkuài!Have a pleasant vacation!
- 志强 Zhiqiang謝謝雨婷，妳也是。Xièxiè Yǔtíng, nǐ yě shì.Thank you Yuting, you too.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “vacation” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
