In 15 Seconds
- Standard way to say quitting or leaving a job.
- Professional and neutral tone for all workplace scenarios.
- Refers to permanent departure, not a temporary break.
- Used as both a verb and a noun.
Meaning
This is the standard way to say you are quitting or leaving a job permanently. It is like telling someone you are moving on to your next big adventure.
Key Examples
3 of 6Telling a friend about your plans
我下个月准备离职了。
I'm planning to leave my job next month.
Formal resignation to a manager
王经理，这是我的离职信。
Manager Wang, this is my resignation letter.
Asking about a former colleague
听说他已经离职了？
I heard he already left the company?
Cultural Background
Traditionally, Chinese culture valued loyalty to one employer for life. However, the modern '996' work culture (9am-9pm, 6 days a week) has led to a surge in 'naked resignation' (quitting without a backup plan). `离职` has become a frequent topic of conversation among Gen Z as they seek better work-life balance.
The 'Classy' Exit
Even if you're unhappy, using `离职` makes you sound like a professional adult. Avoid slang like `不干了` (I'm not doing this anymore) in official settings.
Don't confuse with 下班
If you tell your boss `我离职了` at 5 PM, they'll think you're quitting forever, not just going home for dinner!
In 15 Seconds
- Standard way to say quitting or leaving a job.
- Professional and neutral tone for all workplace scenarios.
- Refers to permanent departure, not a temporary break.
- Used as both a verb and a noun.
What It Means
离职 is the most common way to say someone is leaving their job. It is neutral and professional. It does not mean you were fired. It usually implies you chose to leave. It is like saying 'resigning' but feels a bit more everyday. You will see it in emails and hear it in office gossip.
How To Use It
You use it as a verb. You can say you 'want to' 离职. You can also use it as a noun. For example, a 'resignation letter' is a 离职信. It is very flexible. Just place it where you would say 'quit' in English. But remember, it sounds more mature than just saying 'I don't want to work.'
When To Use It
Use it when talking to your boss. Use it when updating your LinkedIn profile. It is perfect for telling your parents you found a better gig. If you are at a farewell dinner, this is the word to use. It keeps things polite even if you hated your boss. It focuses on the action of leaving, not the drama.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it for temporary leave. If you are just taking a vacation, use 请假. If you are retiring because you are old, use 退休. If you are just clocking out for the day, say 下班. Using 离职 when you just mean 'going home for dinner' will give your coworkers a heart attack!
Cultural Background
In China, 离职 is a big deal. People used to stay at one job forever. Now, young people 离职 more often to find better pay. There is a famous phrase: 'The world is big, I want to see it.' This became a meme for people quitting. Even so, people usually try to leave on good terms. You never know when you will meet again.
Common Variations
You might hear 辞职, which is almost the same. 辞职 feels a bit more like 'I am actively resigning.' 离职 is a bit more general about the state of leaving. If someone is forced out, people might use 被裁 for being laid off. But if you want to stay classy, stick with 离职.
Usage Notes
This phrase sits in the 'Goldilocks zone' of formality—not too stiff for friends, but professional enough for your boss. It is a safe, go-to term for any career transition.
The 'Classy' Exit
Even if you're unhappy, using `离职` makes you sound like a professional adult. Avoid slang like `不干了` (I'm not doing this anymore) in official settings.
Don't confuse with 下班
If you tell your boss `我离职了` at 5 PM, they'll think you're quitting forever, not just going home for dinner!
Naked Resignation
Look up the term `裸辞` (luǒcí). It literally means 'naked resignation' and refers to quitting before you have a new job lined up. It's a hot topic in China!
Examples
6我下个月准备离职了。
I'm planning to leave my job next month.
A very common way to share career news with friends.
王经理，这是我的离职信。
Manager Wang, this is my resignation letter.
Using the word as a noun in a formal setting.
听说他已经离职了？
I heard he already left the company?
A polite way to inquire about someone's status.
我离职以后，大家也要加油哦！
After I leave, everyone keep up the hard work!
Warm and encouraging tone for a farewell text.
每天都想离职，每天都准时上班。
Every day I want to quit, every day I show up on time.
A relatable joke about the struggle of working life.
公司正在办理他的离职手续。
The company is processing his exit procedures.
Very formal administrative language.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct word to tell your friend you are quitting.
工作太累了，我想___了。
`下班` means finishing work for the day, and `请假` means taking a day off. `离职` is the only one that means quitting.
Complete the formal phrase for 'Resignation Letter'.
他在写他的___信。
`离职信` is the standard term for a resignation letter. `走人` is too slangy for a letter.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Ways to Say You're Leaving
Very informal, like 'I'm out'
走人 (zǒurén)
Standard for most situations
离职 (lízhí)
Official or written context
辞去职务 (cíqù zhíwù)
Where to use 离职
At the HR office
Handling paperwork
At a bar with friends
Complaining about work
On a Resume
Explaining gaps
In an Email
Saying goodbye to clients
Practice Bank
2 exercises工作太累了，我想___了。
`下班` means finishing work for the day, and `请假` means taking a day off. `离职` is the only one that means quitting.
他在写他的___信。
`离职信` is the standard term for a resignation letter. `走人` is too slangy for a letter.
🎉 Score: /2
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, 离职 is neutral. It usually implies a voluntary departure. If you were fired, the word would be 被开除 (bèi kāichú).
Yes! It's perfectly fine to text a friend 我离职了 (I've left my job). It's not too formal for texting.
They are very similar. 辞职 (cízhí) focuses more on the act of resigning, while 离职 (lízhí) focuses on the state of leaving the position.
Yes, you can use it for any formal employment, whether it's full-time or part-time.
You say 离职信 (lízhí xìn). You might also hear 辞职信 (cízhí xìn).
Yes, it works for almost any profession. For a teacher, you could say 那位老师离职了.
If you aren't quitting permanently, use 休假 (xiūjià) for a long leave or 请假 (qǐngjià) for a short one.
It's both! You can say 他离职了 (He left - verb) or 离职手续 (Departure procedures - noun).
Not at all. It is a very polite and standard way to describe leaving a company.
It is called 裸辞 (luǒ cí). It's a very popular slang term for quitting without a backup plan.
Related Phrases
辞职
To resign (more active)
跳槽
To job hop (literally 'change troughs')
找工作
To look for a job
失业
To be unemployed
