15秒でわかる
- Standard term for being unemployed or losing a job.
- Combines 'lose' and 'occupation' into a simple verb/noun.
- Appropriate for both news reports and serious personal conversations.
意味
This phrase describes the state of losing your job or being out of work. It is the standard way to say someone is currently between jobs or has been laid off.
主な例文
3 / 6Telling a friend about a company layoff
因为公司倒闭，他失业了。
Because the company went bankrupt, he is unemployed.
Discussing national news
现在的失业率很高。
The unemployment rate is very high right now.
Texting a friend with a bit of dark humor
恭喜我，我终于失业了！
Congrats to me, I'm finally unemployed!
文化的背景
The term reflects the deep-seated value of the 'Iron Rice Bowl' (stable employment) in China. While once a source of great shame, the phrase has become more normalized in the modern gig economy. In recent years, youth have started using it more ironically in online 'lying flat' (tang ping) subcultures.
The Power of '了'
Always add `了` (le) after `失业` if you are saying you 'became' unemployed. It makes you sound much more like a native speaker.
Sensitivity Matters
While `失业` is neutral, it's a heavy topic. If someone just lost their job, they might prefer you say they are 'taking a break' (`休息`) instead.
15秒でわかる
- Standard term for being unemployed or losing a job.
- Combines 'lose' and 'occupation' into a simple verb/noun.
- Appropriate for both news reports and serious personal conversations.
What It Means
失业 is the most common way to say someone is unemployed. The first character 失 means to lose. The second character 业 refers to your profession or work. Together, they literally mean you have lost your career path. It is a direct and clear term. You will hear it in news reports and daily chats. It is not a rude word, but it is very honest.
How To Use It
You usually use it as a verb or a noun. You can say 我失业了 to mean "I lost my job." Notice the 了 at the end. It shows a change in status. You can also use it to describe a person, like a 失业者. It fits into sentences easily. Just place it after the subject. It is like telling a friend you are on a forced vacation.
When To Use It
Use it when discussing the economy or personal career changes. It is perfect for professional settings. Use it when filling out official forms. You can also use it with close friends when being serious. It works well when you want to be clear about your situation. It is the 'safe' word for unemployment.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid using it if you want to be extra polite or 'soft.' In some social circles, it might feel a bit blunt. If someone is sensitive about their job, use a euphemism instead. Don't use it for someone who chose to quit to travel. That is usually called 辞职 or 休息. It implies the loss was not necessarily your choice. It is not for retired people either.
Cultural Background
In Chinese culture, a job is often called a 饭碗 or 'rice bowl.' Losing a job means the bowl is broken. Historically, having a stable job was the ultimate goal for families. Because of this, 失业 carries a bit of weight. It is not just about money; it is about social identity. However, younger generations are now more open about it. They might even joke about it on social media.
Common Variations
You might hear 下岗 which specifically refers to being laid off from state-owned companies. There is also 待业, which sounds a bit more hopeful. It means 'waiting for employment.' If you want to sound more casual, you can say 没工作. If you want to sound like a professional, stick with 失业. It is the gold standard for this situation.
使い方のコツ
It is a neutral-to-formal term. In spoken Chinese, it is often followed by '了' to indicate the transition into unemployment.
The Power of '了'
Always add `了` (le) after `失业` if you are saying you 'became' unemployed. It makes you sound much more like a native speaker.
Sensitivity Matters
While `失业` is neutral, it's a heavy topic. If someone just lost their job, they might prefer you say they are 'taking a break' (`休息`) instead.
The 'Rice Bowl' Secret
If you hear someone say their 'rice bowl is broken' (`饭碗丢了`), they are using a common idiom for `失业`.
例文
6因为公司倒闭，他失业了。
Because the company went bankrupt, he is unemployed.
Uses '了' to indicate the new state of being unemployed.
现在的失业率很高。
The unemployment rate is very high right now.
Here '失业' acts as part of a compound noun for 'unemployment rate'.
恭喜我，我终于失业了！
Congrats to me, I'm finally unemployed!
Sarcastic use of 'congratulations' to show relief from a bad job.
我去年失业了三个月。
I was unemployed for three months last year.
A factual way to describe a period of time without work.
听说他失业以后一直没找工作。
I heard he hasn't looked for a job since he became unemployed.
Used as a time marker (since/after).
失业人员请在此登记。
Unemployed personnel, please register here.
Very formal usage in a public service context.
自分をテスト
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence about losing a job.
由于经济不好，很多人___了。
`失业` specifically refers to losing a job, whereas `失败` means to fail and `失去` means to lose an object or person.
How do you say 'unemployment rate'?
这个国家的___率在下降。
`失业率` is the standard term for 'unemployment rate'.
🎉 スコア： /2
ビジュアル学習ツール
Formality Spectrum of 'Being Out of Work'
Casual talk with friends
没活儿干 (No work to do)
Standard daily conversation
失业了 (Unemployed)
News and reports
失业率 (Unemployment rate)
When to use 失业
At the bank
Applying for a loan while out of work
With family
Explaining why you are moving back home
Reading News
Understanding economic statistics
Job Interview
Explaining a gap in your career
練習問題バンク
2 問題由于经济不好，很多人___了。
`失业` specifically refers to losing a job, whereas `失败` means to fail and `失去` means to lose an object or person.
这个国家的___率在下降。
`失业率` is the standard term for 'unemployment rate'.
🎉 スコア： /2
よくある質問
10 問Not at all! It is a neutral, factual term. However, because losing a job is often sad, the context around it might be negative.
Technically yes, but usually 辞职 (to resign) is used for quitting. 失业 often implies you were laid off or the company closed.
The most natural way is 我失业了 (Wǒ shīyè le).
失业 is more formal and specific to losing a career. 没工作 (don't have a job) is very casual and can include people who never had a job.
No, students are not considered 失业. They are just 学生. You must have had the intention or status of being a worker first.
Young people sometimes use 炒鱿鱼 (fried squid) which means to be fired, or 家里蹲 (squatting at home) for being unemployed long-term.
You can use it as a noun, such as 失业期间 (during the period of unemployment) to explain a gap in your history.
It means 'unemployment rate.' You will see this in every Chinese economic news report.
It is very direct and might be seen as rude unless you are very close. It's better to ask 你最近工作怎么样？ (How is work lately?).
No, retired people are 退休. 失业 is only for people who are still in the workforce age range.
関連フレーズ
辞职
To resign/quit
被裁
To be laid off
找工作
To look for a job
下岗
To be laid off (specifically from state-owned enterprises)
