In 15 Seconds
- The standard formal verb for firing an employee.
- Used in professional contexts, news, and legal documents.
- Avoid for voluntary quitting or very casual slang settings.
Meaning
This is the most common way to say someone lost their job because their boss let them go. It's the standard term for being fired or dismissed from a position.
Key Examples
3 of 6Discussing company news
公司因为经济危机解雇了很多员工。
The company fired many employees due to the economic crisis.
Explaining a personal situation
他因为经常迟到被解雇了。
He was fired because he was often late.
Asking about labor rights
老板可以无缘无故解雇我吗？
Can the boss fire me for no reason?
Cultural Background
While 'jiěgù' is the formal term, it carries a heavy weight in a culture that values job stability. Interestingly, during the planned economy era, jobs were 'iron rice bowls' and firing was rare, but since the 1990s, this term has become a common part of the urban vocabulary.
The Passive 'Bèi'
You'll almost always hear this as `被解雇` (bèi jiěgù) when talking about the person who lost the job. It's the most natural way to frame the bad news.
Don't mix with 'Quit'
Never use `解雇` for yourself if you chose to leave. That's `辞职` (cízhí). Using `解雇` makes it sound like you were kicked out for doing something wrong!
In 15 Seconds
- The standard formal verb for firing an employee.
- Used in professional contexts, news, and legal documents.
- Avoid for voluntary quitting or very casual slang settings.
What It Means
解雇 (jiěgù) is the standard Chinese term for firing an employee. Think of it as the 'professional' way to say someone got the boot. The first character 解 means to untie or undo. The second character 雇 means to employ or hire. Put them together and you are literally 'un-hiring' someone. It sounds a bit cold, but it is very clear.
How To Use It
Using 解雇 is straightforward because it functions like a verb. You usually see it in a 'Subject + 解雇 + Object' structure. For example, 'The company fired him.' In passive situations, you'll often hear 被解雇 (bèi jiěgù), which means 'to be fired.' It’s like saying you were the one who got the pink slip. You don't need fancy grammar here. Just keep it simple and direct.
When To Use It
Use this in professional settings or when discussing serious work news. If you are reading a news report about layoffs, you will see this word. If you are talking to a HR manager, this is the word they will use. It’s perfect for office gossip that has a slightly serious tone. Use it when the reason for leaving is definitely the boss's decision, not the employee's.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use 解雇 if someone quit their job voluntarily. For that, use 辞职 (cízhí). Also, avoid it in very casual settings with close friends if you want to sound more 'street.' In those cases, people prefer 炒鱿鱼 (chǎo yóuyú), which literally means 'fried squid.' 解雇 is a bit too stiff for a late-night beer session with your buddies. It’s also too harsh to use if you’re trying to be extremely polite about a sensitive layoff.
Cultural Background
In Chinese culture, 'losing face' is a big deal. Being 解雇 is often seen as a significant loss of face. Because of this, many managers might use softer language in person. However, in legal documents and formal announcements, 解雇 is the gold standard. It’s the official stamp that the working relationship has ended. It reflects the modern, fast-paced corporate culture in cities like Shanghai or Beijing.
Common Variations
You will often see 解雇信 (jiěgù xìn), which is a termination letter. Another common one is 无故解雇 (wúgù jiěgù), meaning to be fired without a cause. If you want to sound more like a lawyer, you might hear 解除劳动合同 (jiěchú láodòng hétóng). This means 'terminating the labor contract.' It’s the long-winded version of 解雇 that makes everything sound very official and expensive.
Usage Notes
This is a neutral-to-formal term. Use it in business writing, news, or serious conversations. Avoid using it in casual banter unless you want to sound intentionally dramatic or official.
The Passive 'Bèi'
You'll almost always hear this as `被解雇` (bèi jiěgù) when talking about the person who lost the job. It's the most natural way to frame the bad news.
Don't mix with 'Quit'
Never use `解雇` for yourself if you chose to leave. That's `辞职` (cízhí). Using `解雇` makes it sound like you were kicked out for doing something wrong!
The 'Fried Squid' Secret
While `解雇` is formal, everyone knows `炒鱿鱼` (chǎo yóuyú). It comes from old times when workers slept at the shop; when fired, they rolled up their mats, which looked like curling squid in a pan!
Examples
6公司因为经济危机解雇了很多员工。
The company fired many employees due to the economic crisis.
A standard way to describe mass layoffs in a professional tone.
他因为经常迟到被解雇了。
He was fired because he was often late.
Uses the passive 'bèi' to show he was the one who lost the job.
老板可以无缘无故解雇我吗？
Can the boss fire me for no reason?
Common question in a legal or HR context.
听说经理要把他解雇了，是真的吗？
I heard the manager is going to fire him, is it true?
Slightly formal for a text, but used when the news is serious.
我很抱歉，我们不得不解雇你。
I'm sorry, we have to let you go (fire you).
Direct and professional, though difficult to say.
如果你再弄坏咖啡机，老板会解雇你的！
If you break the coffee machine again, the boss will fire you!
Using a formal word for a small mistake creates a humorous hyperbole.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence about a professional dismissal.
因为表现不好，他被公司___了。
`辞职` means to quit, and `请客` means to treat someone to a meal. `解雇` is the only one that means 'fired'.
How do you say 'to be fired' using the passive voice?
我不想___解雇。
In Chinese, `被` (bèi) is used to indicate the passive voice, making it 'to be fired'.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Ways to Say 'To Fire'
Chǎo yóuyú (Fried squid)
我被炒了
Kāichú (Expel/Dismiss)
被开除了
Jiěgù (Standard professional)
正式解雇
Jiěchú hétóng (Terminate contract)
解除劳动合同
When to use Jiěgù
News Reports
Tech company layoffs
HR Meetings
Contract termination
Legal Advice
Wrongful dismissal
Serious Gossip
Discussing a peer's exit
Practice Bank
2 exercises因为表现不好，他被公司___了。
`辞职` means to quit, and `请客` means to treat someone to a meal. `解雇` is the only one that means 'fired'.
我不想___解雇。
In Chinese, `被` (bèi) is used to indicate the passive voice, making it 'to be fired'.
🎉 Score: /2
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt is professional and objective, but not necessarily 'polite' because the act of firing is inherently negative. In a sensitive conversation, a boss might use softer phrases like 请你离开 (qǐng nǐ líkāi - ask you to leave).
解雇 is a general term for dismissal, often for economic reasons. 开除 (kāichú) is more like 'expelled' and usually implies the employee did something very wrong or broke the law.
Yes, you can, but it might sound a bit too formal. For a part-time gig or a student job, 辞退 (cítuì) or the slang 炒了 (chǎo le) is more common.
Yes, 解雇 is used and understood across the Mandarin-speaking world, including Taiwan and Singapore, as a formal term for termination.
You should say 我被解雇了 (Wǒ bèi jiěgù le). Don't forget the 了 at the end to show the action is completed.
Not necessarily. It can be used for layoffs due to company downsizing (裁员 cáiyuán) or for poor performance.
The opposite is 雇用 (gùyòng), which means to hire or employ someone.
Yes, absolutely. For example: 那家公司解雇了五百人 (Nà jiā gōngsī jiěgù le wǔbǎi rén) - That company fired 500 people.
It is primarily a verb, but it can act as a noun in phrases like 非法解雇 (fēifǎ jiěgù - illegal dismissal).
In ancient Chinese, 解 referred to dismembering an ox or untying a knot. In this context, it means 'untying' the professional bond between boss and worker.
Related Phrases
炒鱿鱼
To fire (slang/informal)
辞职
To resign/quit
裁员
Layoffs/downsizing
开除
To expel/dismiss (usually for cause)
