加班

jiābān

to work overtime

HSK 4

Character Breakdown

Usage of 加班

The term 加班 specifically refers to working beyond regular working hours, commonly known as overtime. It is widely used in workplace contexts to describe extra hours worked, often with the implication of additional pay or compensation.

Common Collocations

  • 加班 (jiābānfèi): overtime pay, the extra compensation for working overtime.
  • 加班: work overtime until very late, emphasizing the long hours.
  • 经常加班: frequently work overtime, indicating a habitual or regular occurrence.

Nuances and Register

加班 is a neutral term but often carries a slightly negative connotation due to the extra effort and fatigue involved. It is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts. When discussing 加班, speakers often imply a sacrifice of personal time or stress.

Common Confusions

Do not confuse 加班 with 工作 (work) in general; 加班 always implies working beyond the normal schedule. Also, 加班 is a fixed phrase related to payment, not just any extra work.

Understanding 加班 helps learners talk about work culture, schedules, and labor conditions realistically in Chinese.

Example Sentences

今天晚上我得加班,可能回家很晚。

Jīntiān wǎnshàng wǒ děi jiābān, kěnéng huí jiā hěn wǎn.

I have to work overtime tonight, I might get home very late.

公司规定加班要支付加班费。

Gōngsī guīdìng jiābān yào zhīfù jiābānfèi.

The company rules that overtime work must be paid overtime wages.

他最近经常加班,身体都累坏了。

Tā zuìjìn jīngcháng jiābān, shēntǐ dōu lèi huài le.

He has been working overtime frequently lately and is exhausted.