Sick note
SIK noht /ˈsɪk nəʊt/
Informal Neutral
What it really means
The everyday name for a doctor's note confirming you are too unwell to work or study. The official name is a "fit note". You only need one after about a week off — for shorter absences you self-certify.
Chinese explanation
病假条的日常叫法：医生开具的证明，说明你因病无法工作或学习。正式名称是"fit note"。缺勤约一周以上才需要，短期缺勤自行申报即可。
Example conversation
A: Work wants proof I was ill last month.
B: If it was over seven days, ask your GP for a sick note — officially it's called a fit note.
A：公司要我提供上个月生病的证明。
B：超过七天的话，找GP开病假条——正式名称叫fit note。
What you could say back
No spoken reply needed for this one.
Related phrases
Official sources
Rules and amounts change — confirm important details with the official source.
Go deeper
All Healthcare & NHS
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· Last checked 24 July 2026 · Report a mistake