值班
zhí bān HSK 6

English Meaning

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📚 Example Sentences

他今晚在医院值班。
Tā jīn wǎn zài yīyuàn zhíbān.
He is on duty at the hospital tonight.
周末值班的员工有补贴。
Zhōumò zhíbān de yuángōng yǒu bǔtiē.
Employees on duty on weekends receive subsidies.
警察必须24小时值班。
Jǐngchá bìxū èrshísì xiǎoshí zhíbān.
Police must be on duty 24 hours a day.
我今晚值班。
Wǒ jīn wǎn zhíbān.
I am on duty tonight.
他明天值班。
Tā míngtiān zhíbān.
He is on duty tomorrow.

💡 Memory Tip

Think of 值 as 'to be worth' or 'to take on value' and 班 as 'shift' or 'class'—so you 'take on the value of a shift' by being on duty. Imagine a clock (班 sounds like 'ban' in 'band' of time) to associate it with scheduled shifts.

📝 Usage Notes

This word is neutral in formality and used in both spoken and written Chinese. It's common in work-related contexts like healthcare, emergency services, companies, or any organization requiring shift work. For example, it's used when discussing work schedules or responsibilities.

📖 Grammar Points

值班 is often used as a verb (e.g., 他今晚值班) or as a noun modifier (e.g., 值班医生). It can be combined with time expressions (e.g., 从晚上八点到早上八点值班) and is frequently used with 轮流 (lúnliú, to take turns) to indicate rotational duty.

🏯 Cultural Notes

In China, 值班 is a common practice in many workplaces, especially in public services like hospitals, police stations, and government offices, often involving overnight or holiday shifts. It reflects a collective responsibility to ensure continuous operation.

🔄 Similar Words

Compared to 上班 (shàngbān, to go to work generally), 值班 specifically refers to being on duty during a shift, often outside regular hours or as part of a rotation. It differs from 加班 (jiābān, to work overtime), which implies extra work beyond one's normal schedule.

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