How to Say “I am on vacation” in Chinese
Work and study · HSK 3
"I am on vacation" in Chinese is 我在休假 (Wǒ zài xiūjià). 休假 (xiūjià) specifically means taking leave from work, different from 度假 (dùjià) which means vacationing/traveling. If you're out of office replying to a WeChat work message, 我在休假 is standard.
Primary translation
我在休假
Wǒ zài xiūjià
Variants by register
Formal
我正在休假中
Wǒ zhèngzài xiūjià zhōng
Casual
我休假呢
Wǒ xiūjià ne
When to use it
休假 (xiūjià) specifically means taking leave from work, different from 度假 (dùjià) which means vacationing/traveling. If you're out of office replying to a WeChat work message, 我在休假 is standard. The 在 marks ongoing state. Mainland workers often say 请假 (qǐngjià) for requesting leave, and 年假 (niánjià) for annual leave; which is precious since most Chinese companies only give 5-10 days. Adding 呢 at the end softens it casually.
Example sentences
我下周在休假，有事找我同事。
Wǒ xià zhōu zài xiūjià, yǒu shì zhǎo wǒ tóngshì.
I'm on vacation next week, contact my colleague if you need something.
不好意思，我正在休假，回国后再联系你。
Bù hǎoyìsi, wǒ zhèngzài xiūjià, huí guó hòu zài liánxì nǐ.
Sorry, I'm currently on vacation, I'll contact you after returning home.
他休假去三亚了。
Tā xiūjià qù Sānyà le.
He's on vacation in Sanya.