Meanings of 裁员
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Podcast: 裁员
Podcast: 裁员
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AI Study Notes for 裁员
裁员 (layoff) vs 解雇 (dismissal) — use 裁员 for reductions due to economic reasons, while 解雇 refers to terminating an individual's employment for cause.
Think of 裁 (cái) as 'to cut'—imagine a tailor cutting fabric. The character员 (yuán) means 'staff' or 'personnel.' Visualize a tailor cutting away excess fabric, just like a company cuts away excess staff to save money.
Be cautious with the tone when pronouncing 裁员, as a mispronunciation can change meaning. This term is formal, generally used in professional contexts, and often appears with related terms like '裁员通知' (layoff notice) or '大规模裁员' (mass layoffs).
As an HSK 6 word, 裁员 is useful for discussing workplace dynamics and economic conditions. Focus on understanding its context in business discussions and reading articles related to employment trends.
In contemporary Chinese society, layoffs can carry a significant social stigma, as job security is highly valued. The term is often associated with economic challenges and can evoke sympathy for those affected.
Learners often confuse 裁员 with other employment-related terms. For example, saying '裁员' when they mean '解雇' (to fire) is incorrect, as they imply different circumstances.
Pronunciation of 裁员
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Component Characters
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Grammar Patterns of 裁员
裁员 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.
Complete the Sentence
公司要____，就是说有些人可能会失去工作。
The company is going to lay off employees — that is to say, some people may lose their jobs.
Example Sentences for 裁员 (4)
Cultural Notes for 裁员
In contemporary Chinese society, layoffs can carry a significant social stigma, as job security is highly valued. The term is often associated with economic challenges and can evoke sympathy for those affected.
Frequently Asked Questions about 裁员
裁员 refers to layoffs due to organizational needs, while 解雇 means to dismiss an employee for performance or misconduct.