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March 24, 2026
裁员(裁員)cáiyuán(cai2yuan2)
裁员 refers to the process of reducing the number of employees in an organization, typically due to economic reasons or restructuring. It is commonly used in business contexts, especially during financial downturns when companies must cut costs.
Frequency#13093DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
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.
Memory Tip
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.
Meanings of 裁员
cáiyuán(cai2yuan2)
1to cut staff
2to lay off employees
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 裁员
裁员Simplified
裁員Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#13093Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7TOCFLL5HSKKL3BCT✓CEFRC1
Podcast: 裁员
Podcast: 裁员
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AI Study Notes for 裁员
Quick Contrast
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.
Memory Mnemonic
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.
Usage Notes
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).
HSK Study Tips
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.
Cultural Note
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.
Common Mistakes
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.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 裁员
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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.
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.
While it can be understood in informal contexts, it is primarily used in formal discussions about business and employment.
Yes, you can also use 裁减人员 (cái jiǎn rén yuán) which means to reduce staff.
