Understanding "假期" - Chinese Word Explanation

1. Basic Information

• Word: 假期
• Pinyin: jiàqī
• Literal Meaning: "Holiday period" (假 = holiday/vacation, 期 = period/time)
• Primary Meaning: Refers to a scheduled break from work or school, such as vacations, holidays, or leave periods.

2. In-depth Explanation

Context and Usage

"假期" is a general term for any official or personal time off, including:
- School breaks (summer/winter holidays)
- Public holidays (e.g., National Day, Spring Festival)
- Paid leave (e.g., annual leave from work)

Nuances:
- Unlike "假日" (jiàrì, which often refers to single-day holidays), "假期" emphasizes a duration of time off.
- Can be modified to specify types, e.g., "暑假" (shǔjià, summer vacation), "寒假" (hánjià, winter vacation).

Character Breakdown

• 假 (jià): Means "holiday" or "leave." In other contexts, it can mean "fake" (e.g., 假货 jiǎhuò, counterfeit goods), but here it’s pronounced in the fourth tone (jià).
• 期 (qī): Means "period" or "scheduled time." Also seen in words like "星期" (xīngqī, week).

3. Example Sentences

1. Chinese: 我的假期从下周一开始。
   Pinyin: Wǒ de jiàqī cóng xià zhōuyī kāishǐ.
   English: My vacation starts next Monday.

2. Chinese: 暑假期间，我打算去旅行。
   Pinyin: Shǔjià qījiān, wǒ dǎsuàn qù lǚxíng.
   English: During the summer holiday, I plan to travel.

3. Chinese: 这个假期太短了！
   Pinyin: Zhège jiàqī tài duǎn le!
   English: This holiday is too short!

Cultural Notes

• In China, major "假期" like Spring Festival (春节) and National Day (国庆节) often involve family reunions and travel, leading to crowded transportation.
• Students typically have a 2-month summer break (暑假) and a 1-month winter break (寒假).
• The "Golden Week" holidays (e.g., October 1–7) are peak travel times due to consecutive days off.

Conclusion

"假期" (jiàqī) is a versatile word for any extended break, whether for rest, travel, or celebrations. Remember: 假 = holiday + 期 = period, making it a "holiday period." Use it to talk about vacations, school breaks, or leave from work!