Signification
To dismiss someone from their job.
Contexte culturel
The phrase is deeply tied to the historical samurai culture where taking a head was a sign of victory. Korean shares the same idiom, reflecting similar cultural views on the severity of losing a job. Western cultures often use 'the axe' or 'fired', which are also violent metaphors but lack the specific decapitation history. Chinese uses 'stir-fry squid' (炒鱿鱼), which is a much lighter, food-based metaphor compared to the Japanese neck-cutting.
Don't use with your boss!
Never say this to your boss unless you want to be fired yourself.
Use the passive form
If you are talking about yourself, always use {首|くび}になる.
Signification
To dismiss someone from their job.
Don't use with your boss!
Never say this to your boss unless you want to be fired yourself.
Use the passive form
If you are talking about yourself, always use {首|くび}になる.
It's a strong word
Remember that this is not a light word. It carries the weight of someone's livelihood.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the phrase.
会社は{彼|かれ}の__________。
The company is the subject, so we use the active form.
Choose the correct sentence.
Which sentence is correct?
When you are the one fired, you use the passive form.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Why is Tanaka-san sad? B: Because he __________.
Tanaka-san is the one who lost his job, so he was fired.
Match the situation to the correct phrase.
You are the boss and you fire an employee.
As the boss, you are the one performing the action.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercices会社は{彼|かれ}の__________。
The company is the subject, so we use the active form.
Which sentence is correct?
When you are the one fired, you use the passive form.
A: Why is Tanaka-san sad? B: Because he __________.
Tanaka-san is the one who lost his job, so he was fired.
You are the boss and you fire an employee.
As the boss, you are the one performing the action.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsNo, it is too informal. Use {解雇|かいこ} instead.
No, it applies to anyone regardless of gender.
Use {退職|たいしょく} (resignation) or {解雇|かいこ} (dismissal).
In Japanese, 'kubi' refers to the neck/head area collectively.
Yes, in news reports or dramas.
No, it only applies to human employment.
'Risutora' is for mass layoffs, 'kubi' is for individual firing.
It can be if used in the wrong context.
Only if you are complaining about being fired.
Yes, {解雇|かいこ}する.
No, it's just a metaphor for losing a job.
Yes, it is standard Japanese.
Expressions liées
{首|くび}になる
synonymTo be fired
{解雇|かいこ}する
synonymTo dismiss
{リストラ|risutora}
similarRestructuring/Layoff
{辞|や}めさせる
similarTo make someone quit
