adjective / noun HSK 4
/
false · fake · artificial · vacation · leave
Meaning
假 has two main pronunciations with different meanings. As jiǎ, it means false, fake, or not genuine. As jià, it means vacation or time off from work/school. This character is extremely common in everyday Chinese and appears in many compound words.
Usage
When pronounced jiǎ, it describes something counterfeit or untrue (假货 fake goods, 假装 to pretend). When pronounced jià, it refers to approved time off (放假 to have a holiday, 请假 to ask for leave). Native speakers naturally distinguish these by context, and the pronunciation difference is crucial for meaning.
Examples
- 01这个包是假的，不是真的名牌。, .This bag is fake, it's not a real brand-name item.
- 02我们下周放假三天。.We have a three-day holiday next week.
Measure words
- 天三天假
Common collocations
- 放假to have a holiday/vacation
- 请假to ask for leave
- 假装to pretend, to feign
- 假货fake goods, counterfeit products
Antonyms
Origin
The character combines 人 (person) and 叚 (phonetic component), originally relating to borrowing or temporary states, which evolved into both 'false/temporary' and 'temporary leave from duties'.