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March 24, 2026
失业(失業)shīyè(shi1ye4)
失业 (shī yè) refers to the state of being unemployed or having lost one's job. This term is commonly used in discussions about the job market, economic conditions, and personal circumstances related to work. It emphasizes not just the absence of a job, but also the challenges and implications that come with it.
Frequency#4418DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In China, 失业 is often discussed in the context of rapid economic changes and the competitive job market, especially among recent graduates. The government keeps a close eye on unemployment rates as they are a significant factor in social stability.
Memory Tip
Think of 失 (shī) as 'to lose' and 业 (yè) as 'career' or 'business.' Imagine a person losing their briefcase (symbolizing their job) on the way to work, depicting the loss of their career. This visual helps link the sound 'shī' with loss and 'yè' with employment.
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AI Study Notes for 失业
Quick Contrast
失业 (shīyè) vs 下岗 (xiàgǎng) — use 失业 when referring to being unemployed without a job, while 下岗 specifically refers to being laid off from a job.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 失 (shī) as 'to lose' and 业 (yè) as 'career' or 'business.' Imagine a person losing their briefcase (symbolizing their job) on the way to work, depicting the loss of their career. This visual helps link the sound 'shī' with loss and 'yè' with employment.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 失业 with other terms that relate to job loss, such as 解雇 (jiě gù, to be fired). 失业 is more general and can refer to any unemployment situation. It is used in both formal and informal contexts, commonly appearing in news articles and discussions about economic issues.
HSK Study Tips
For HSK Level 5, focus on understanding 失业 in relation to economic discussions and vocabulary surrounding employment. This word connects well with other terms in this level related to work and economics, such as 工作 (gōng zuò, work) and 职业 (zhí yè, profession).
Cultural Note
In China, 失业 is often discussed in the context of rapid economic changes and the competitive job market, especially among recent graduates. The government keeps a close eye on unemployment rates as they are a significant factor in social stability.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use 失业 to describe voluntary job changes, but it specifically denotes involuntary unemployment. For instance, saying '我失业了因为我辞职' (I am unemployed because I resigned) is incorrect; instead, use '我辞职了' (I resigned).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 失业
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Grammar Patterns of 失业
失业 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
____率上升，相对应的是生产率进一步提高。
The obverse of rising unemployment is continued gains in productivity.
At stake are more than 20,000 jobs in Britain's aerospace sector.
10
一些已经工作的人将要失业。
yī xiē yǐ jīng gōng zuò de rén jiāng yào shī yè。
Some of the people already in work will lose their jobs.
Cultural Notes for 失业
🏮Cultural insight
In China, 失业 is often discussed in the context of rapid economic changes and the competitive job market, especially among recent graduates. The government keeps a close eye on unemployment rates as they are a significant factor in social stability.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
In Western cultures, unemployment is often addressed with social safety nets and welfare systems, while in China, it might be more closely tied to family support and social expectations.
Frequently Asked Questions about 失业
失业 refers to being unemployed in general, while 解雇 specifically means to be fired from a job.
While 失业 is typically negative, some may view it as an opportunity for a career change or personal growth.
You can say: '我最近失业了' (I have been unemployed recently).
