Meaning:
“周末” means “weekend,” while “出家” means “to become a monk or nun.” This humorous term coined by Chinese netizens refers to “volunteering at temples during weekends.” Due to the craze among Chinese youth to visit temples, some have come up with the ingenious idea to volunteer at temples, which not only saves money on entrance tickets but also on food and lodging.
Example:
A: 怎么这几个周末都没看见你？
Zěnme zhè jǐge zhōumò dōu méi kànjiàn nǐ？
It appears that I haven’t seen you for several weekends.
B: 我最近在实践“周末出家”。
Wǒ zuìjìn zài shíjiàn “ zhōumò chūjiā”。
I have been volunteering at a temple.