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B2 verb #5,500 most common 12 min read

解雇

jiegu Top 5,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 解雇 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 解雇 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know that '解雇' (jiěgù) means 'to fire' or 'to lose a job.' It is a bit difficult for beginners, so you might first learn simpler ways to say this, like '没有工作了' (have no job). However, it is good to recognize '解雇' because it appears in stories or news. You should know that it involves an employer (boss) and an employee (worker). The most important thing for an A1 learner is to understand the basic structure: 'A 解雇 B' (A fires B) and the passive form 'B 被解雇了' (B was fired). You don't need to worry about the legal or formal nuances yet. Just think of it as the opposite of '找工作' (looking for a job) or '开始工作' (starting work). If you see this word, just remember it means someone's time at a company has ended because the boss said so. You can practice by making very short sentences like '他不开心，因为他被解雇了' (He is not happy because he was fired). This level of understanding is enough to get you through basic conversations about work and life.

At the A2 level, you should start to see '解雇' (jiěgù) as a formal word for being fired. You are likely learning more about daily life and work, so 'jiěgù' becomes a useful vocabulary item. You should be able to use it with simple reasons. For example, '因为他常常迟到，所以老板解雇了他' (Because he was often late, the boss fired him). At this level, you should also be comfortable with the '被' (bèi) particle, as it is the most common way 'jiěgù' is used in conversation. You might also start to notice the difference between 'jiěgù' and the very common slang '炒鱿鱼' (chǎo yóuyú). While you might not use 'jiěgù' in a casual chat with friends, you should recognize it in a simple news headline or a textbook story about a professional setting. You should also know that 'jiěgù' is a verb that describes an action that has a clear beginning and end. Practice using it in the past tense with '了' (le) to describe things that happened to people you know or characters in a book. This will help you build a more solid foundation for professional Chinese.

At the B1 level, you are moving toward more complex sentence structures and a wider range of topics. You should understand that '解雇' (jiěgù) is the standard, neutral term for dismissal. You should be able to use it in the context of discussing employment issues, career changes, and company policies. At this stage, you should distinguish 'jiěgù' from '辞职' (cízhí - to resign). A B1 learner should be able to explain *why* someone was dismissed using more varied vocabulary, such as '表现' (performance), '规定' (regulations), or '经济' (economy). You should also be able to use 'jiěgù' in hypothetical sentences, such as '如果你不努力工作，你可能会被解雇' (If you don't work hard, you might be dismissed). You are also expected to recognize 'jiěgù' in more formal written texts, like a simple email from an HR department or a short article about labor trends. Understanding the tone of 'jiěgù'—that it is serious and official—is a key part of B1 proficiency. You should also be aware of the word '补偿' (compensation) which often follows 'jiěgù' in discussions about workers' rights.

At the B2 level, which is where '解雇' (jiěgù) is typically categorized, you need a deep understanding of its usage and nuances. You should be able to use it fluently in professional discussions, debates about labor laws, and detailed narrations of business events. You must understand the legal implications of the word and be able to distinguish it from '裁员' (cáiyuán - layoff) and '开除' (kāichú - expulsion/misconduct dismissal). A B2 learner should be able to discuss '非法解雇' (wrongful termination) and the procedures involved in a formal dismissal process. You should also be able to use 'jiěgù' in complex sentences with various adverbs like '立即' (immediately), '无理' (without reason), or '正式' (formally). You should understand the cultural sensitivity of the word in China and how managers might use euphemisms to avoid saying 'jiěgù' directly to an employee's face. Your ability to use 'jiěgù' should reflect an understanding of corporate hierarchy and the formal relationship between employer and employee. You should be able to read a news article about a company's 'personnel optimization' and identify that it actually refers to 'jiěgù'.

At the C1 level, you should have a sophisticated grasp of '解雇' (jiěgù) and its related terminology. You should be able to use it in academic writing, legal analysis, and high-level business negotiations. You should understand the historical evolution of the term in China, from the 'Iron Rice Bowl' era to the modern market economy. A C1 learner can discuss the socio-economic impacts of 'jiěgù' on society, such as its relationship with the '失业率' (unemployment rate) and social stability. You should be able to use the word in very formal contexts, such as drafting a '解雇意向书' (letter of intent to dismiss) or analyzing the '解雇保护法' (dismissal protection laws) of different countries. You should also be sensitive to the subtle differences in meaning when 'jiěgù' is used in different Chinese-speaking regions (e.g., Mainland China vs. Taiwan or Hong Kong). At this level, you should be able to use 'jiěgù' as part of an elegant and precise rhetorical style, perhaps contrasting it with more poetic or metaphorical ways of describing loss and transition. You should also be able to handle complex grammatical structures where 'jiěgù' is nested within multiple clauses.

At the C2 level, you should use '解雇' (jiěgù) with the precision and nuance of a native speaker who is well-versed in law or business. You should be able to engage in deep philosophical or economic discussions about the nature of employment and the ethics of dismissal. You can analyze the word's use in literature or political discourse, identifying how it can be used to exert power or frame a narrative. A C2 learner should be able to navigate the most complex legal documents involving 'jiěgù' and understand the minute differences between various types of contract termination. You should also be able to use 'jiěgù' in a variety of registers, from the most clinical and legalistic to the highly abstract. You should be aware of how 'jiěgù' is used in puns, wordplay, or high-level irony in Chinese media. Your mastery of 'jiěgù' should be so complete that you can explain its nuances to others, including the subtle emotional and social baggage it carries in different strata of Chinese society. You should be able to discuss the '解雇' of high-ranking officials or CEOs and the systemic implications of such events on the global market.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

解雇 in 30 Seconds

解雇 (jiěgù) is a formal verb meaning 'to dismiss' or 'to fire' an employee.
It is composed of 'jiě' (dissolve) and 'gù' (hire), meaning to end employment.
Commonly used in professional and legal contexts, often appearing in the passive '被解雇'.
Distinguish it from 'cáiyuán' (layoff), 'kāichú' (expulsion), and 'chǎo yóuyú' (slang).

The Chinese term 解雇 (jiěgù) is a formal and standard verb used to describe the termination of an employment contract by the employer. In the landscape of professional Chinese, understanding this word is crucial because it carries a specific weight of authority and finality. It is composed of two characters: 解 (jiě), which means to untie, loosen, or dissolve, and 雇 (gù), which means to hire or employ. Literally, it translates to 'dissolving the employment.' This term is predominantly used in professional, legal, and formal contexts, such as HR departments, legal documents, and news reports regarding labor relations.

Formal Usage: Used in official letters of termination or corporate announcements. For example: '公司决定解雇表现不佳的员工' (The company decided to dismiss employees with poor performance).
Legal Context: Refers to the lawful or unlawful termination of a contract under the Labor Law of the People's Republic of China.

While 'jiěgù' is the standard term, learners should distinguish it from the more colloquial '炒鱿鱼' (chǎo yóuyú), which literally means 'to fry squid' but is the common slang for being fired. 'Jiěgù' is what you would see in a newspaper or hear in a courtroom, whereas 'chǎo yóuyú' is what you would tell your friends at a bar. Furthermore, 'jiěgù' implies that the action is initiated by the employer due to reasons like performance issues, violation of company policy, or sometimes economic restructuring, though '裁员' (cáiyuán) is more specific for mass layoffs.

因为违反了公司规定，他被公司解雇了。(Because he violated company regulations, he was dismissed by the company.)

Understanding the nuances of 'jiěgù' involves recognizing the power dynamic it represents. It is a top-down action. You cannot 'jiěgù' your boss; you can only '辞职' (cízhí - resign). When using 'jiěgù', the focus is often on the cause and the legal justification. In the 21st-century Chinese economy, with the rise of the tech sector and shifting labor laws, the term 'jiěgù' has become a central point of discussion regarding worker rights and corporate responsibility. It is often paired with the particle '被' (bèi) to form the passive voice, as being fired is something that happens to an individual.

无正当理由解雇员工可能会导致法律诉讼。(Dismissing employees without a justified reason may lead to legal lawsuits.)

Historically, during the era of the 'Iron Rice Bowl' (tǐng fàn wǎn) in China, the concept of 'jiěgù' was almost non-existent in state-owned enterprises, as jobs were guaranteed for life. However, since the economic reforms and the move toward a market economy, 'jiěgù' has become a standard part of the professional lexicon. It reflects the flexibility and also the precariousness of modern employment. For a B2 level learner, mastering this word means being able to discuss employment contracts, labor disputes, and corporate news with precision.

即使他很有才华，但由于态度问题，经理还是决定解雇他。(Even though he is very talented, the manager still decided to dismiss him due to attitude problems.)

Economic Context: In times of recession, the word 'jiěgù' appears frequently in financial news, often linked to '经济下行' (economic downturn).

Using 解雇 (jiěgù) correctly requires an understanding of Chinese sentence structure, particularly the use of the passive voice and the relationship between the subject (the employer) and the object (the employee). As a transitive verb, it can take a direct object, but it is very frequently seen in the '被' (bèi) construction, which highlights the person who lost their job.

Active Voice Pattern: [Employer] + 解雇 + [Employee]. Example: '老板解雇了那名不负责任的经理' (The boss fired that irresponsible manager).
Passive Voice Pattern: [Employee] + 被 + [Employer] + 解雇. Example: '他因为经常迟到而被公司解雇了' (He was fired by the company for being frequently late).

When constructing sentences with 'jiěgù', it is common to include the reason for the dismissal using connectors like '因为...所以...' (because... therefore...) or '由于' (due to). This provides the necessary context, as 'jiěgù' is a serious action that usually requires justification in a professional narrative. For instance, '由于公司业务调整，部分员工将被解雇' (Due to company business adjustments, some employees will be dismissed). Here, the focus is on the external cause.

根据劳动合同，公司有权在特定情况下解雇员工。(According to the labor contract, the company has the right to dismiss employees under specific circumstances.)

Another important grammatical aspect is the use of aspect particles like '了' (le). Since 'jiěgù' often refers to a completed action or a change in state, '了' is frequently attached. For example, '他昨天被解雇了' (He was fired yesterday). In contrast, if you are talking about a policy or a hypothetical situation, '了' might be omitted: '公司不应该随意解雇员工' (Companies should not dismiss employees at will).

如果再次发生这种错误，你可能会面临被解雇的风险。(If this mistake happens again, you might face the risk of being dismissed.)

Advanced learners should also note that 'jiěgù' can be part of complex noun phrases, such as '解雇通知书' (notice of dismissal) or '非法解雇' (wrongful termination). These phrases are common in legal and administrative Chinese. When discussing the consequences of dismissal, one might use '补偿' (bǔcháng - compensation). For example, '被解雇后，他拿到了一笔补偿金' (After being dismissed, he received a sum of compensation money).

这项法律旨在保护员工免受不合理解雇。(This law aims to protect employees from unreasonable dismissal.)

Common Adverbs: Words like '立即' (lìjí - immediately), '正式' (zhèngshì - formally), and '无端' (wúduān - without cause) often precede 'jiěgù'.

Finally, consider the emotional tone. While 'jiěgù' is formal, it is inherently negative for the person involved. In professional communication, it is often surrounded by euphemisms or polite language to soften the blow, even if the word itself appears in the final paperwork. Using it correctly means knowing when the situation calls for this specific level of formality versus a softer alternative.

In the real world, you will encounter 解雇 (jiěgù) in several specific environments. Primarily, it is the language of the **Corporate Office**. When an HR director speaks to a department head about a low-performing employee, they will use 'jiěgù' to discuss the formal process. You might hear: '我们需要按照程序解雇他' (We need to dismiss him according to the procedure).

News and Media: Financial news channels like CCTV-2 or news apps like Toutiao frequently use 'jiěgù' when reporting on global tech layoffs or changes in the labor market. Headlines such as '某互联网大厂宣布解雇千名员工' (A certain internet giant announces the dismissal of a thousand employees) are common.
Legal and TV Dramas: Chinese legal dramas or 'office politics' shows often feature scenes where characters are threatened with 'jiěgù'. It serves as a high-stakes plot point, emphasizing the power of the management.

Another common place is **Legal Documents**. If you ever sign a labor contract in China, there will be a section titled '合同的解除和终止' (Dissolution and Termination of Contract), where 'jiěgù' is used to define the employer's rights. Understanding this word is therefore a matter of practical importance for anyone working in a Chinese-speaking environment.

他在法庭上辩解说，公司解雇他的理由不充分。(He argued in court that the company's reasons for dismissing him were insufficient.)

In **Academic and Economic Discussions**, 'jiěgù' is used to analyze labor trends. Scholars might talk about the '解雇率' (dismissal rate) as an indicator of economic health. In these contexts, the word is stripped of its individual emotional weight and treated as a statistical variable. For a student of Chinese, being able to transition from the personal impact of being fired to the statistical analysis of 'jiěgù' is a sign of high-level proficiency.

数据显示，该行业的解雇人数在过去三个月内有所增加。(Data shows that the number of dismissals in this industry has increased over the past three months.)

Social media also plays a role. On platforms like Zhihu (Chinese Quora) or Weibo, users often share their experiences of '被解雇' (being fired) to seek legal advice or emotional support. These stories often use 'jiěgù' when referring to the official side of the story, even if they use slang elsewhere. This provides a rich source of 'natural' language use where formal and informal terms are blended.

在知乎上，有很多关于“如何应对突然被解雇”的建议。(On Zhihu, there are many suggestions on 'how to deal with being suddenly dismissed'.)

Lastly, in international business, 'jiěgù' is the standard translation for 'dismissal' or 'termination' in English. If you are working for a multinational corporation in Shanghai or Beijing, the HR policies will use 'jiěgù' to ensure clarity and legal compliance across different languages. It is the bridge between Western corporate concepts and Chinese labor law.

Even for intermediate learners, 解雇 (jiěgù) can be tricky. The most common mistake is confusing it with other words related to leaving a job, such as 辞职 (cízhí). Remember: 'jiěgù' is 'you are fired' (employer's choice), while 'cízhí' is 'I quit' (employee's choice). Swapping these can lead to significant misunderstandings in a professional setting.

Confusion with 裁员 (cáiyuán): 'Cáiyuán' refers to layoffs, usually for economic reasons and affecting many people. 'Jiěgù' is more individual and often implies a fault on the employee's part, though not always.
Confusion with 开除 (kāichú): 'Kāichú' is even harsher than 'jiěgù'. It means 'to expel' or 'to kick out' and is used when someone has committed a serious offense or crime. 'Jiěgù' is more neutral and professional.

Another frequent error is the incorrect use of the passive voice. English speakers often say '他解雇了' (He fired) when they mean 'He was fired.' In Chinese, without the object, '他解雇了' implies that 'he' is the one doing the firing. You must use '他被解雇了' to indicate he lost his job. This is a fundamental point of Chinese grammar that 'jiěgù' frequently highlights.

错误：他因为表现不好解雇了。
正确：他因为表现不好被解雇了。(Correct: He was fired due to poor performance.)

Learners also sometimes use 'jiěgù' in inappropriate registers. For example, using 'jiěgù' in a very casual conversation about a part-time job might sound overly dramatic or stiff. In such cases, '老板不让我做了' (The boss won't let me do it anymore) or '我被炒了' (I was fried/fired) is more natural. Conversely, using '炒鱿鱼' in a formal report is a major faux pas. Register awareness is key to mastering this word.

在正式报告中，请使用“解雇”而非“炒鱿鱼”。(In formal reports, please use 'jiěgù' instead of 'chǎo yóuyú'.)

Finally, watch out for the object. You 'jiěgù' a person (员工, 经理), not a position or a contract. You '解除' (jiěchú) a contract (合同). While the characters are similar, the objects they take are different. Saying '解雇合同' is a common collocation error. It should be '解除合同' or '解雇员工'. Paying attention to these 'neighboring' words will help you sound more like a native speaker.

公司有权解雇违反纪律的员工。(The company has the right to dismiss employees who violate discipline.)

Register Mix-up: Using 'jiěgù' when talking about a breakup or ending a friendship is incorrect. It is strictly for employment.

To truly master 解雇 (jiěgù), you must understand its place within a cluster of related terms. Each word has a slightly different nuance, register, and context. Choosing the right one shows a high level of linguistic sophistication.

开除 (kāichú): Meaning: To expel or dismiss. Nuance: Very severe. Often implies the employee did something wrong or shameful, like stealing or major misconduct. It is often used in schools as well (expulsion).
辞退 (cítuì): Meaning: To dismiss or discharge. Nuance: Slightly softer than 'jiěgù'. Often used for domestic help or in less formal business settings. It literally means 'to decline and push back'.
裁员 (cáiyuán): Meaning: Layoff. Nuance: Economic focus. It is not about the employee's performance but the company's financial state or restructuring.

In the world of slang, '炒鱿鱼' (chǎo yóuyú) reigns supreme. The origin of this phrase is fascinating: in the old days, workers in Hong Kong lived at their workplace. When they were fired, they had to roll up their bamboo sleeping mats, which looked like the way a piece of squid curls up when fried. Today, it is used throughout the Chinese-speaking world. You might say, '我被老板炒鱿鱼了' (I was 'squid-fried' by my boss).

虽然口语中常说“炒鱿鱼”，但在劳动法中只使用“解雇”或“解除合同”。(Although 'chǎo yóuyú' is common in speech, only 'jiěgù' or 'dissolution of contract' is used in labor law.)

On the more corporate/euphemistic side, we have '优化' (yōuhuà - optimization). This is a modern buzzword used by tech companies to describe layoffs without using the negative word 'jiěgù'. They might say '人员优化' (personnel optimization). Understanding this allows you to read between the lines of corporate announcements. Another term is '下岗' (xiàgǎng), which specifically referred to workers laid off from state-owned enterprises in the 1990s.

公司正在进行人员“优化”，实际上就是变相解雇。(The company is doing 'personnel optimization,' which is actually a disguised dismissal.)

Finally, consider '撤职' (chèzhí), which means to dismiss from a specific post or rank, often used for government officials. It doesn't necessarily mean they are kicked out of the organization, just removed from their position. This contrasts with 'jiěgù', which ends the employment relationship entirely. By knowing these distinctions, you can navigate the complex social and professional hierarchies of China with confidence.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The character '雇' contains the '户' (hù - household) radical, reflecting that in ancient times, hiring was often related to household labor or service. The bird component in '雇' is phonetic.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /dʒiɛ˩˧ ku˥˩/

US /dʒiɛ˩˧ ku˥˩/

In Chinese, both syllables are usually stressed equally, but the fourth tone 'gù' sounds more forceful.

Rhymes With

写 (xiě) 姐 (jiě) 路 (lù) 步 (bù) 故 (gù) 度 (dù) 部 (bù) 树 (shù)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'jiě' as 'jié' (second tone) by mistake.
Pronouncing 'gù' as 'gǔ' (third tone).
Confusing the Pinyin 'gù' with 'guò'.
Treating the two syllables as a single English-style word with one stress.
Failing to dip low enough on the third tone 'jiě'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

The characters are somewhat complex but common in news and business texts.

Writing 4/5

Writing '解' and '雇' correctly requires practice due to many strokes.

Speaking 2/5

The pronunciation is straightforward once tones are mastered.

Listening 2/5

Easily recognizable in professional or news contexts.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

工作公司老板员工合同

Learn Next

辞职裁员补偿劳动法失业

Advanced

仲裁诉讼违约金遣散费竞业禁止

Grammar to Know

Passive '被' (bèi) construction

他被公司解雇了。

Resultative Complements

解雇掉 (fire off/get rid of by firing)

Cause-Effect '由于...因此...'

由于他违规，因此被解雇。

Nominalization of Verbs

这次解雇是不合理的。

Compound Noun Phrases

解雇补偿金 (dismissal compensation money)

Examples by Level

他被解雇了。

He was fired.

Uses the '被' (bèi) particle for passive voice.

老板解雇了他。

The boss fired him.

Simple Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) structure.

不要解雇我。

Don't fire me.

Negative imperative using '不要' (bùyào).

他为什么被解雇了？

Why was he fired?

Question form using '为什么' (wèishénme).

昨天，公司解雇了三个人。

Yesterday, the company fired three people.

Time phrase '昨天' (zuótiān) at the beginning.

我怕被解雇。

I am afraid of being fired.

The verb '怕' (pà) followed by a passive clause.

他没有被解雇。

He was not fired.

Negative passive using '没有' (méiyǒu).

谁解雇了你？

Who fired you?

Question using the pronoun '谁' (shéi).

因为他不做工作，所以被解雇了。

Because he didn't do his work, he was fired.

Uses '因为...所以...' (yīnwèi... suǒyǐ...) for cause and effect.

公司决定解雇那些不努力的人。

The company decided to fire those who don't work hard.

The verb '决定' (juédìng) followed by an infinitive-like clause.

如果你明天再迟到，老板会解雇你。

If you are late again tomorrow, the boss will fire you.

Conditional '如果...就/会...' (rúguǒ... jiù/huì...).

他被解雇以后，去了一家新公司。

After he was fired, he went to a new company.

Temporal clause using '...以后' (yǐhòu).

这个经理常常解雇员工。

This manager often fires employees.

Frequency adverb '常常' (chángcháng).

我听说他上个星期被解雇了。

I heard that he was fired last week.

Indirect speech using '听说' (tīngshuō).

他不想被解雇，所以工作很认真。

He doesn't want to be fired, so he works very seriously.

Using '不想' (bùxiǎng) to express desire/avoidance.

公司解雇他是不对的。

It is wrong for the company to fire him.

Subject clause followed by '是不对的' (is wrong).

由于表现不佳，他被公司正式解雇了。

Due to poor performance, he was formally dismissed by the company.

Uses '由于' (yóuyú) for a formal 'because'.

在被解雇之前，他已经找好了新工作。

Before being dismissed, he had already found a new job.

Temporal clause using '在...之前' (zài... zhīqián).

经理威胁说要解雇所有迟到的人。

The manager threatened to fire everyone who is late.

Verb '威胁' (wēixié) followed by a '说' clause.

他因为违反了安全规定而被立即解雇。

He was immediately dismissed for violating safety regulations.

Adverb '立即' (lìjí) modifying the verb.

公司如果不解雇他，其他员工会不满意。

If the company doesn't fire him, other employees will be dissatisfied.

Complex conditional with an internal negation.

被解雇对他来说是一个巨大的打击。

Being fired was a huge blow to him.

Gerund-like phrase '被解雇' as the subject.

虽然他被解雇了，但他并不难过。

Although he was fired, he is not sad.

Concessive '虽然...但是...' (suīrán... dànshì...).

他正在咨询关于被非法解雇的法律问题。

He is consulting on legal issues regarding wrongful termination.

Noun phrase '非法解雇' (wrongful termination).

根据劳动法，公司不能无故解雇员工。

According to labor law, companies cannot dismiss employees without cause.

Legal prepositional phrase '根据...' (according to).

这次大规模解雇引起了社会的广泛关注。

This large-scale dismissal has attracted widespread social attention.

Adjective '大规模' (large-scale) modifying the noun.

他因涉嫌泄露公司机密而被解雇并起诉。

He was dismissed and sued for allegedly leaking company secrets.

Compound verb structure with '被' (bèi).

在经济衰退期间，许多公司不得不解雇员工。

During the economic recession, many companies had no choice but to dismiss employees.

Modal phrase '不得不' (have no choice but to).

他认为自己被解雇完全是因为私人恩怨。

He believes he was fired entirely because of a personal grudge.

Adverb '完全' (completely) emphasizing the cause.

解雇这名高管可能会影响公司的股价。

Dismissing this executive might affect the company's stock price.

Noun phrase subject '解雇这名高管'.

公司在解雇他之前没有给他任何警告。

The company gave him no warning before dismissing him.

Negation '没有' with '任何' (any).

他正在申请被解雇后的失业救济金。

He is applying for unemployment benefits after being dismissed.

Complex noun phrase '被解雇后的失业救济金'.

无端解雇员工不仅损害公司声誉，还可能导致巨额赔偿。

Dismissing employees without cause not only damages the company's reputation but may also lead to huge compensation.

Correlative conjunction '不仅...还...' (not only... but also...).

该判决认定公司解雇该员工的行为属于违法解除劳动合同。

The judgment found that the company's act of dismissing the employee constituted an illegal termination of the labor contract.

Formal legal terminology '认定' (to find/rule).

在当前的就业形势下，被解雇意味着面临严峻的生存挑战。

In the current employment situation, being dismissed means facing severe survival challenges.

Abstract noun phrase '就业形势' (employment situation).

尽管公司辩称是经济性裁员，但法院认为这实际上是针对个人的解雇。

Although the company argued it was an economic layoff, the court held that it was actually a targeted dismissal of an individual.

Concessive '尽管...但...' with formal verbs like '辩称' (to argue/claim).

解雇权的行使应当受到法律和道德的双重约束。

The exercise of the right to dismiss should be subject to both legal and moral constraints.

Formal noun '解雇权' (right to dismiss).

他试图通过法律手段挑战公司解雇他的决定。

He attempted to challenge the company's decision to dismiss him through legal means.

Prepositional phrase '通过法律手段' (through legal means).

频繁解雇员工反映了该企业内部管理的混乱和不稳定。

Frequent dismissal of employees reflects the chaotic and unstable internal management of the enterprise.

Complex subject phrase indicating a trend.

这种变相解雇的做法在行业内引发了强烈的道德谴责。

This practice of disguised dismissal has sparked strong moral condemnation within the industry.

Noun phrase '变相解雇' (disguised dismissal).

解雇这一行为在社会契约论的框架下，常被视为资本对劳动力支配地位的体现。

The act of dismissal, within the framework of social contract theory, is often seen as a manifestation of capital's dominant position over labor.

Highly formal academic language '支配地位' (dominant position).

当解雇成为一种常态化的管理手段时，职场中的信任机制将面临崩溃。

When dismissal becomes a normalized management tool, the trust mechanism in the workplace will face collapse.

Conditional clause using '当...时' (when...).

法律对解雇条件的严格限制，旨在平衡企业的经营自主权与劳动者的生存权。

The strict legal restrictions on dismissal conditions aim to balance the company's operational autonomy with the worker's right to survival.

Formal noun '经营自主权' (operational autonomy).

该哲学家认为，随意的解雇剥夺了个人通过劳动获得尊严的基本权利。

The philosopher argues that arbitrary dismissal deprives individuals of the basic right to gain dignity through labor.

Verb '剥夺' (to deprive) with complex abstract objects.

在全球化背景下，跨境企业的解雇政策必须兼顾不同法域的合规性要求。

In the context of globalization, the dismissal policies of cross-border enterprises must take into account the compliance requirements of different jurisdictions.

Technical term '法域' (jurisdiction).

解雇不仅是劳动合同的终结，更是个体职业生涯中一个亟需审视的转折点。

Dismissal is not just the termination of a labor contract, but a turning point in an individual's career that urgently needs scrutiny.

Rhetorical structure '不仅是...更是...'.

企业在实施大规模解雇时，应充分考虑其可能引发的群体性事件及负面舆情。

When implementing large-scale dismissals, enterprises should fully consider the potential for mass incidents and negative public opinion.

Formal term '群体性事件' (mass incidents).

对解雇程序的正当性审查，是维护现代法治社会公平正义的重要环节。

The review of the legitimacy of dismissal procedures is an important link in maintaining fairness and justice in a modern society ruled by law.

Abstract subject '对...的审查' (the review of...).

Synonyms

开除辞退炒鱿鱼撤职

Antonyms

雇佣聘任

Common Collocations

正式解雇

无理解雇

大规模解雇

解雇补偿

解雇理由

面临解雇

立即解雇

解雇通知

非法解雇

集体解雇

Common Phrases

被解雇了

— The most common way to say someone lost their job. It uses the passive voice.

听说老王昨天被解雇了。

解雇员工

— The standard way to describe the action of an employer. It is a direct object phrase.

老板不想解雇任何员工。

有权解雇

— Refers to the legal or contractual right of an employer to fire someone.

公司有权解雇违约的员工。

无故解雇

— Firing someone without a valid reason, often discussed in legal contexts.

法律禁止企业无故解雇员工。

解雇费

— Severance pay or compensation given upon dismissal. It is a common noun.

他拿到了一笔丰厚的解雇费。

变相解雇

— Disguised dismissal, where a company makes conditions so bad an employee is forced to leave.

调岗降薪其实就是变相解雇。

解雇程序

— The formal steps a company must take to fire someone legally.

我们必须遵守解雇程序。

解雇风险

— The possibility of losing one's job. Often used in economic forecasts.

新员工面临更高的解雇风险。

解雇名单

— A list of people to be fired. Often used in corporate restructuring.

他在解雇名单上看到了自己的名字。

宣布解雇

— To officially state that someone or a group is being fired.

公司今天宣布解雇首席执行官。

Often Confused With

解雇 vs 辞职

This means 'to resign' (employee's choice), while 'jiěgù' means 'to fire' (employer's choice).

解雇 vs 裁员

This refers to 'layoffs' (usually due to economics), while 'jiěgù' is often about individual performance.

解雇 vs 开除

This is much harsher and implies serious misconduct, whereas 'jiěgù' is more neutral.

Idioms & Expressions

"炒鱿鱼"

— The most famous idiom for being fired, referring to rolling up a sleeping mat like a fried squid.

因为得罪了老板，他被炒鱿鱼了。

Informal

"卷铺盖走人"

— To pack up one's bedding and leave; implies being fired or leaving in a hurry.

如果你再这么懒，就卷铺盖走人吧！

Informal / Aggressive

"丢饭碗"

— To lose one's rice bowl; a metaphor for losing one's livelihood or job.

这次失误让他丢了饭碗。

Colloquial

"砸饭碗"

— To smash a rice bowl; to cause someone to lose their job or to ruin a business.

你这是在砸大家的饭碗！

Colloquial

"走马换将"

— To change generals while on horseback; replacing key personnel, often involving dismissal.

公司最近走马换将，高层变动很大。

Literary

"扫地出门"

— To sweep someone out of the house; to kick someone out unceremoniously, often used for firing.

他被老板扫地出门了。

Informal / Harsh

"过河拆桥"

— To remove the bridge after crossing the river; to abandon/fire someone once they are no longer useful.

项目一结束他就解雇了我，真是过河拆桥。

Common Idiom

"兔死狗烹"

— When the rabbits are dead, the hounds are cooked; to get rid of employees once their task is done.

公司成功上市后就解雇了老臣，真是兔死狗烹。

Literary / Historical

"另谋高就"

— To seek a better position elsewhere; a polite euphemism for being told to find another job.

老板建议他另谋高就，其实就是解雇他。

Polite / Euphemistic

"开革"

— An archaic/very formal term for dismissal, often used in historical or military contexts.

他因失职被开革出伍。

Archaic

Easily Confused

解雇 vs 解除

Both start with 'jiě' and relate to ending something.

‘解除’ (jiěchú) is used for contracts, bans, or alarms. ‘解雇’ (jiěgù) is only for people.

解除合同 vs 解雇员工

解雇 vs 辞退

Both mean to dismiss an employee.

‘辞退’ (cítuì) is slightly more common for domestic or informal jobs; ‘解雇’ is more corporate.

公司解雇了经理，家里辞退了保姆。

解雇 vs 下岗

Both involve losing a job.

‘下岗’ (xiàgǎng) is a specific historical term for state-owned enterprise layoffs.

他在九十年代下岗了。

解雇 vs 撤职

Both involve losing a position.

‘撤职’ (chèzhí) means removing someone from a post, often in government, but they might stay in the org.

他被撤职查办。

解雇 vs 罢免

Both involve removing someone from a job.

‘罢免’ (bàmiǎn) is used for elected officials or representatives.

选民罢免了那名议员。

Sentence Patterns

A 解雇了 B。

老板解雇了他。

B 被 (A) 解雇了。

他被公司解雇了。

因为...，A 决定解雇 B。

因为他经常迟到，公司决定解雇他。

由于...，B 被正式解雇。

由于表现不佳，他被正式解雇。

A 的行为构成了非法解雇。

公司无故辞退他的行为构成了非法解雇。

解雇权之行使应受...之约束。

解雇权之行使应受劳动法之严格约束。

面临被解雇的风险。

许多员工面临被解雇的风险。

被解雇以后，...

被解雇以后，他开始找新工作。

Word Family

Nouns

解雇信 (dismissal letter)

解雇费 (severance pay)

解雇率 (dismissal rate)

Verbs

雇 (to hire)

雇佣 (to employ)

解除 (to dissolve/terminate)

Adjectives

被解雇的 (dismissed/fired)

辞职 (resign)

退休 (retire)

失业 (unemployed)

招聘 (recruit)

面试 (interview)

How to Use It

frequency

High in professional and news contexts.

Common Mistakes

Using '解雇' for quitting. → 使用'辞职'。
‘解雇’ is only when the employer fires you. If you quit, use ‘辞职’.
Saying '他解雇了' to mean 'He was fired'. → 他'被'解雇了。
Without '被', it sounds like he is the boss who fired someone else.
Using '解雇' for mass layoffs. → 使用'裁员'。
‘解雇’ usually refers to individual dismissal. For company-wide cuts, ‘裁员’ is more appropriate.
Using '解雇' in casual slang. → 使用'炒鱿鱼'。
‘解雇’ can sound too stiff and formal in a bar or a casual chat with friends.
Confusing '解雇' with '解除'. → 解雇员工 / 解除合同。
You dismiss (解雇) a person, but you terminate (解除) a contract or agreement.

Tips

Use the Passive Voice

In 90% of daily conversations, you will use '被解雇' (bèi jiěgù). Make sure you put the person who lost the job at the beginning of the sentence.

Learn the Collocations

Pair 'jiěgù' with '通知' (notice) or '理由' (reason) to sound more natural. These are the most common word pairings in business.

Face (Mianzi)

Remember that 'jiěgù' is a very 'face-losing' event in China. Be sensitive when discussing it with Chinese colleagues.

Legal Accuracy

If you are writing a contract, use '解除劳动合同' instead of just '解雇' to be legally precise.

Character Breakdown

Remember 'jiě' (untie) and 'gù' (hire). It helps you remember the meaning: untying the hiring contract.

Listen for 'Bèi'

When you hear 'bèi' followed by 'jiěgù', you know someone has been fired. It's a key marker for understanding office gossip.

Tone Practice

Practice the 3rd tone of 'jiě' followed by the 4th tone of 'gù'. The transition from low to falling is important for clarity.

Compare with Synonyms

Write out 'jiěgù', 'cáiyuán', and 'kāichú' and list one situation for each to master the nuances.

Stroke Order

The character '雇' has a tricky top part. Practice it several times to ensure your handwriting looks professional.

News Headlines

Look for 'jiěgù' in Chinese business news. It's a great way to see how it's used with large numbers and corporate names.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'jiě' as 'untying' a knot and 'gù' as the 'hiring' contract. When you 'jiěgù' someone, you are untying the contract that binds them to the company.

Visual Association

Imagine a pair of scissors (jiě) cutting a contract with the word 'Hire' (gù) written on it.

Word Web

公司 (Company) 老板 (Boss) 员工 (Employee) 合同 (Contract) 钱 (Money) 失业 (Unemployment) 劳动法 (Labor Law) 通知 (Notice)

Challenge

Try to write a short paragraph about a fictional character who was 'jiěgù' and then found a better job.

Word Origin

The term is a compound of two ancient Chinese characters. '解' (jiě) dates back to the Oracle Bone Script, depicting hands taking apart an ox's horns, meaning 'to untie' or 'to dissolve'. '雇' (gù) originally referred to a type of bird but later came to mean 'to hire' or 'to pay for services'. Together, they mean to 'dissolve the hiring.'

Original meaning: To terminate a paid service or labor arrangement.

Sino-Tibetan / Sinitic

Cultural Context

Avoid using 'jiěgù' in casual social settings unless the topic is specifically about professional HR matters. It can sound harsh or overly formal.

While 'fired' can be used casually in English, 'jiěgù' is strictly professional. In the US, 'dismissed' is the closest equivalent in tone.

The movie 'Up in the Air' (translated as '云端之上') deals with the professional act of 'jiěgù'. Donald Trump's catchphrase 'You're fired!' is translated as '你被解雇了！' in Chinese media. The 90s Chinese TV show 'Yearning' (渴望) touches on the fear of losing one's job.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

HR Meeting

谈谈解雇的事
签署解雇协议
解雇的理由
最后的工资

Financial News

大规模解雇
解雇率上升
受经济影响解雇
公司裁员解雇

Legal Dispute

非法解雇起诉
违反劳动法解雇
要求解雇补偿
撤销解雇决定

Office Gossip

他被解雇了？
谁会被解雇？
解雇的传闻
下一个被解雇的人

Job Hunting

之前被解雇过
解释被解雇的原因
不是因为能力被解雇
被解雇后的打算

Conversation Starters

"你听说公司最近要解雇一些员工吗？"

"如果一个员工表现很差，老板应该解雇他吗？"

"在你的国家，解雇员工容易吗？"

"被解雇后，第一件事应该做什么？"

"你觉得‘变相解雇’公平吗？"

Journal Prompts

写一写如果你是老板，你会因为什么理由解雇一个员工。

描述一次你看到或听到的关于解雇的故事，并谈谈你的感受。

讨论一下法律在解雇过程中应该扮演什么样的角色。

你认为‘终身雇佣制’比现代的‘解雇制’更好吗？为什么？

写一封正式的解雇通知书（练习公文写作）。

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

It is not offensive, but it is very direct and serious. In a professional setting, it is the correct term to use, but in a social setting, it might sound a bit blunt. Using euphemisms like '离开公司' (leaving the company) is softer.

‘解雇’ is formal and used in writing or official speech. ‘炒鱿鱼’ is slang and used in casual conversation. You would never use ‘炒鱿鱼’ in a legal document or a formal HR meeting.

No. If you quit, you must use '辞职' (cízhí). '解雇' only applies when the employer makes the decision to let you go.

Not necessarily. While it often implies performance issues, it can also be used for economic dismissals. However, '裁员' (cáiyuán) is more specific for economic reasons.

Yes, '解雇' is used in Taiwan, though you might also hear '資遣' (zīqiǎn), which specifically refers to dismissal with severance pay.

You say '非法解雇' (fēifǎ jiěgù), which literally means 'illegal dismissal.' This is a common term in Chinese labor law discussions.

It is usually called '解雇补偿金' (jiěgù bǔchángjīn) or simply '遣散费' (qiǎnsànfèi).

No. A student is '开除' (kāichú - expelled) or '退学' (tuìxué - dropped out). '解雇' is strictly for employment.

The most common auxiliary is '被' (bèi) for passive. You can also say '宣布解雇' (announce dismissal) or '决定解雇' (decide to dismiss).

It can be both. As a verb: '公司解雇了他' (The company dismissed him). As a noun: '这次解雇很突然' (This dismissal was very sudden).