gōngzuòrì: 工作日 - Workday, Business Day, Weekday

• Keywords: 工作日, gongzuori, workday in Chinese, business day Chinese, Chinese weekday, Chinese work schedule, what is a workday in China, make-up workday, 调休, Chinese office hours, business days in China.
• Summary: “工作日 (gōngzuòrì)” is the Chinese word for a “workday” or “business day.” While it typically refers to Monday through Friday, its meaning is critically influenced by China's unique public holiday system. Understanding `工作日` is essential for anyone doing business or living in China, as weekends can often be designated as official workdays (a system called `调休 tiáoxiū`) to create longer holiday breaks. This page explains its literal meaning, cultural significance, and practical use in modern China.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): gōngzuòrì
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 3
• Concise Definition: A day on which work is officially scheduled; a workday or business day.
• In a Nutshell: `工作日` is the standard term for any day you're expected to be at your job. Think of it as a “business day.” While this usually means Monday to Friday, the key takeaway for learners is that this is not a fixed rule. Due to the national holiday schedule, a Saturday or Sunday can sometimes be an official `工作日`, a concept that often surprises foreigners.

• 工 (gōng): This character originally depicted a carpenter's square, a tool for work. It represents work, labor, skill, or industry.
• 作 (zuò): This character means to do, to make, or to compose. It signifies the action of working or creating.
• 日 (rì): This character is a pictogram of the sun and means “day” or “daytime.”

When combined, `工 (gōng)` and `作 (zuò)` form `工作 (gōngzuò)`, the common word for “work” or “job.” Adding `日 (rì)` logically creates `工作日 (gōngzuòrì)`, a “work day.”

The concept of `工作日` in China is inseparable from the state-managed holiday system known as `调休 (tiáoxiū)`, which literally means “to adjust rest.” This system is a major cultural and practical difference from the Western concept of a fixed weekend. In the West, a “workday” or “business day” is almost universally understood as Monday through Friday, excluding public holidays. If a holiday falls on a Tuesday, people simply get Tuesday off. In China, the government often creates long, uninterrupted holiday blocks (like the 3-day Dragon Boat Festival or the 7-day National Day “Golden Week”) to encourage travel and consumption. To achieve this, they “swap” days. For example, to make a 3-day holiday from Friday to Sunday, they might declare the preceding Sunday an official `工作日` to compensate for the Friday that was given off. This has several implications:

• Flexibility is Mandated: The work schedule for the entire country is fluid and announced by the government annually.
• Collective Rhythm: It reflects a collectivist mindset where the national schedule takes precedence over an individual's fixed five-day work week. Everyone is on the same altered schedule.
• Practical Impact: For anyone living, working, or doing business with China, it's crucial to check the official holiday calendar. You cannot assume a weekend will be a day off, especially if it's adjacent to a public holiday. This affects everything from project deadlines to international logistics.

`工作日` is a common and practical term used in many daily situations.

• Business and Logistics: It's standard in business communication, especially regarding deadlines and delivery times. A package that takes “3-5 `工作日`” to arrive will not count weekends or public holidays (unless a weekend has been designated a workday).
• Office and Government Hours: When you check the opening hours for a bank, post office, or government bureau, they will almost always be specified in terms of `工作日`.
• Daily Conversation: People use it to plan activities, schedule appointments, or complain about their work schedule. For example, “Let's meet after the workday” (`我们工作日之后见吧`).

The term is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal settings without issue.

• Example 1:
  • 我们的办公时间是周一到周五的工作日。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen de bàngōng shíjiān shì zhōuyī dào zhōuwǔ de gōngzuòrì.
  • English: Our office hours are on the workdays from Monday to Friday.
  • Analysis: This is the most standard usage, defining the typical work week.
• Example 2:
  • 快递通常需要三到五个工作日才能送到。
  • Pinyin: Kuàidì tōngcháng xūyào sān dào wǔ ge gōngzuòrì cáinéng sòng dào.
  • English: The delivery usually takes three to five business days to arrive.
  • Analysis: A very common phrase in e-commerce and logistics. Note the use of the measure word `个 (ge)`.
• Example 3:
  • 因为国庆节调休，这个周日也是工作日。
  • Pinyin: Yīnwèi Guóqìngjié tiáoxiū, zhège zhōurì yěshì gōngzuòrì.
  • English: Because of the National Day holiday adjustment, this Sunday is also a workday.
  • Analysis: This sentence perfectly illustrates the concept of `调休 (tiáoxiū)`. It's a crucial sentence for any foreigner to understand.
• Example 4:
  • 对不起，银行在非工作日不办理业务。
  • Pinyin: Duìbuqǐ, yínháng zài fēi gōngzuòrì bù bànlǐ yèwù.
  • English: Sorry, the bank does not handle business on non-workdays.
  • Analysis: Here, `非 (fēi)` is used to mean “non-,” a common and formal way to negate a noun.
• Example 5:
  • 这个项目必须在十个工作日内完成。
  • Pinyin: Zhège xiàngmù bìxū zài shí ge gōngzuòrì nèi wánchéng.
  • English: This project must be completed within ten working days.
  • Analysis: Shows its use in setting deadlines in a professional context.
• Example 6:
  • 你能查一下下个月有几个工作日吗？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ néng chá yīxià xià ge yuè yǒu jǐ ge gōngzuòrì ma?
  • English: Can you check how many workdays there are next month?
  • Analysis: A practical question for planning and scheduling.
• Example 7:
  • 我太累了，真希望明天不是工作日。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ tài lèi le, zhēn xīwàng míngtiān bùshì gōngzuòrì.
  • English: I'm so tired, I really wish tomorrow wasn't a workday.
  • Analysis: A simple, conversational sentence expressing a common sentiment.
• Example 8:
  • 我们最好在工作日去博物馆，人会少一些。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen zuìhǎo zài gōngzuòrì qù bówùguǎn, rén huì shǎo yīxiē.
  • English: We'd better go to the museum on a workday; there will be fewer people.
  • Analysis: Here, `工作日` is used synonymously with “weekday” to contrast with the more crowded weekends.
• Example 9:
  • 按照规定，公司必须在员工离职后15个工作日内结清工资。
  • Pinyin: Ànzhào guīdìng, gōngsī bìxū zài yuángōng lízhí hòu shíwǔ ge gōngzuòrì nèi jiéqīng gōngzī.
  • English: According to regulations, the company must settle the final salary within 15 business days after an employee resigns.
  • Analysis: Demonstrates the term's use in formal, legal, or contractual contexts.
• Example 10:
  • 连续上了七天班，我都忘了今天是不是工作日了。
  • Pinyin: Liánxù shàngle qī tiān bān, wǒ dōu wàngle jīntiān shì bùshì gōngzuòrì le.
  • English: After working for seven days straight, I've forgotten whether today is a workday or not.
  • Analysis: A relatable complaint, especially after a `调休` schedule results in a long stretch of work without a break.

• The Weekend Trap: The biggest mistake for foreigners is assuming Saturday and Sunday are always non-workdays. Before a major Chinese holiday, always check the official government schedule. You might be surprised to find you have a meeting or that your package is out for delivery on a Sunday.
• `工作日 (gōngzuòrì)` vs. `平日 (píngrì)`: These are similar but not always interchangeable.
  • `工作日` specifically refers to a day for *work*. It's a functional term.
  • `平日 (píngrì)` means “normal day” or “weekday.” It's used to contrast with weekends or holidays in a more general sense.
  • Example: To say “The subway is crowded on weekdays,” you would more naturally use `平日 (píngrì)`. To say “The report is due in 5 business days,” you must use `工作日 (gōngzuòrì)`.
• `工作日` vs. `工作天 (gōngzuò tiān)`: `工作日 (gōngzuòrì)` is more standard and formal, often referring to a specific day on the calendar (a business day). `工作天 (gōngzuò tiān)` is more colloquial and is often used when counting a duration of work (“I need three workdays to do this” → `我需要三个工作天`). In most cases, they are interchangeable, but `工作日` is safer for formal or written communication.

• 调休 (tiáoxiū) - The system of adjusting rest days by swapping a weekend day with a weekday to create a longer holiday. This is the concept that makes `工作日` in China unique.
• 周末 (zhōumò) - Weekend. The typical antonym for `工作日`.
• 节假日 (jiéjiàrì) - Festivals and holidays. The existence of these days is the reason for `调休` and changes to the `工作日` schedule.
• 上班 (shàngbān) - (Verb) To go to work; to be on duty. The activity you do on a `工作日`.
• 下班 (xiàbān) - (Verb) To get off work.
• 加班 (jiābān) - (Verb) To work overtime. This often happens on a `工作日` or even a day that was supposed to be a rest day.
• 双休 (shuāngxiū) - Two-day weekend (literally “double rest”). Refers to the standard Saturday-Sunday weekend system that `调休` often disrupts.
• 法定假日 (fǎdìng jiàrì) - Legal/statutory holiday. An official non-`工作日` designated by law.