加班
jiā bān HSK 4

English Meaning

Categories

📚 Example Sentences

我今天要加班。
Wǒ jīntiān yào jiābān.
I have to work overtime today.
他经常加班。
Tā jīngcháng jiābān.
He often works overtime.
加班很累。
Jiābān hěn lèi.
Working overtime is very tiring.
我经常加班。
Wǒ jīngcháng jiābān.
I often work overtime.
他今天加班。
Tā jīntiān jiābān.
He is working overtime today.

💡 Memory Tip

Think of 加班 as 'adding a shift': 加 (jiā) means 'to add' and 班 (bān) means 'shift' or 'class'. Imagine adding an extra work shift to your day to remember it means working overtime.

📝 Usage Notes

This word is neutral in formality and commonly used in both spoken and written Chinese across various contexts, such as workplaces, conversations with colleagues or family, and official notices. It is frequently heard in discussions about work schedules, labor rights, and personal plans.

📖 Grammar Points

加班 is often used as a verb-object structure where 加 means 'to add' and 班 means 'shift/work session'. It can function as a verb (e.g., 我要加班) or be part of compound nouns (e.g., 加班费, overtime pay). It is commonly modified by time expressions or adverbs, such as 加班到很晚 (work overtime until very late).

🏯 Cultural Notes

In Chinese work culture, 加班 is a common phenomenon, especially in industries like tech and finance, often reflecting high work demands and sometimes a lack of work-life balance. It can carry connotations of dedication but also stress, and discussions about 加班费 (overtime pay) are relevant in labor rights contexts.

🔄 Similar Words

Compared to 熬夜 (áoyè, which means 'to stay up late' for any reason, including work or leisure), 加班 specifically focuses on work-related overtime. It also differs from 值班 (zhíbān, 'to be on duty'), which refers to scheduled shifts, often outside normal hours, but not necessarily extra work.

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