How to say "I need to take a day off today" in Chinese

 Here are a few ways to say "I need to take a day off today" in Chinese, with slightly different nuances:

• 我今天需要请一天假。(Wǒ jīntiān xūyào qǐng yī tiān jià.) - This is probably the most common and straightforward way. It literally translates to "I today need request one day leave."

• 我今天想请一天假。(Wǒ jīntiān xiǎng qǐng yī tiān jià.) - This translates to "I today would like to request one day leave." It's a bit softer and more polite than the previous option, implying you're requesting rather than stating a need.

• 我今天想休息一天。(Wǒ jīntiān xiǎng xiūxi yī tiān.) - This means "I today would like to rest one day." This is a good option if you want to emphasize the rest aspect. It's less formal and might be suitable for talking to colleagues you're close to.

• 我今天身体不舒服，需要请假。(Wǒ jīntiān shēntǐ bù shūfu, xūyào qǐngjià.) - This translates to "I today [my] body not comfortable, need request leave." This version explains why you need the day off, mentioning you're not feeling well.

Which one you choose depends on the context and who you're talking to. The first two are generally applicable in most situations. The third is more casual, and the last is used when you're unwell.