Xiagang refers to being laid off, particularly from state-owned enterprises during China's economic reforms.
Word in 30 Seconds
- To be laid off from a state-owned enterprise.
- Often due to economic reforms or restructuring.
- Implies loss of job and employment status.
Overview
“下岗”是中国特有的一个词汇，尤其在20世纪90年代国有企业改革时期被广泛使用。它指的是由于企业结构调整、效率低下或破产等原因，职工失去原有的工作岗位，不再为原单位服务。与简单的“失业”不同，“下岗”往往带有一定的历史背景和社会转型色彩，有时也可能伴随一定的经济补偿或再就业培训。
“下岗”通常用作动词，后面可以跟表示原因的状语，或者说明下岗后的状态。例如，“由于效益不好，很多人被迫下岗。” 或者 “他下岗后，在市场上做起了小生意。” 这个词语的使用频率在90年代后有所下降，但仍然能够被理解。
这个词最常出现在讨论中国经济改革、社会变迁、就业问题以及特定年代（如90年代）的社会现象时。在新闻报道、历史回顾、个人经历分享等场合中都可能遇到。“下岗潮”是与此相关的常用组合词。
与“失业”相比，“下岗”更强调了由于特定原因（如企业内部问题或改革）而失去工作，而“失业”则是一个更普遍的概念，指没有工作。在某些情况下，“下岗”可以被视为“失业”的一种特殊形式。 “待业”是指虽然没有工作，但正在寻找工作或等待安排工作，与“下岗”的被动性有所不同。
Examples
由于企业改制，很多老职工都下岗了。
everydayDue to enterprise restructuring, many older workers were laid off.
他是一位下岗工人，现在自己开了一家小餐馆。
personal storyHe is a laid-off worker and now runs a small restaurant himself.
那次下岗潮让许多家庭的生活陷入了困境。
social commentaryThat wave of layoffs plunged many families into financial hardship.
研究表明，90年代的下岗现象对中国劳动力市场结构产生了深远影响。
academicResearch indicates that the phenomenon of being laid off in the 1990s profoundly impacted the structure of China's labor market.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
下岗通知
layoff notice
下岗补助
layoff subsidy
下岗再就业
laid-off and re-employed
Often Confused With
'Xiagang' specifically refers to being laid off due to reasons like enterprise reform or restructuring, often implying a previous stable job. 'Shiye' (unemployment) is a broader term for having no job, regardless of the reason.
'Xiagang' means losing a job. 'Daiye' means being unemployed but actively seeking work or waiting for a job assignment, implying a state of transition rather than just job loss.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The term 'xiagang' is strongly associated with the period of state-owned enterprise reform in China, particularly the 1990s. While still understood, its usage has declined as the economy has shifted. It often carries a sense of involuntary job loss due to systemic changes rather than individual performance.
Common Mistakes
Learners might overuse 'xiagang' for any instance of job loss, forgetting its specific historical and economic context in China. It's important to distinguish it from general unemployment ('shiye'). Avoid using it in contexts unrelated to enterprise reform or restructuring.
Tips
Understand the Historical Context
Recognize that 'xiagang' is deeply tied to China's economic transition period, especially the 1990s reforms.
Avoid Overgeneralization
While similar to 'laid off', 'xiagang' carries specific connotations related to state-owned enterprise reforms in China.
Social Impact of Reforms
The term reflects a significant period of social change and restructuring in China, affecting millions of workers.
Word Origin
The term combines '下' (xià - down, below, off) and '岗' (gǎng - post, position, workplace). It literally means to be 'off the post' or 'down from the position', vividly describing the state of losing one's job.
Cultural Context
The concept of 'xiagang' is tied to the social contract between the state and workers in the era of planned economy, where jobs were often for life. The mass layoffs during reforms represented a significant societal shift and a departure from that model.
Memory Tip
Think of 'down' (下) from the 'gang' (岗 - workplace/post), signifying losing your position, especially during the big economic shifts in China.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions“下岗”通常指因企业改革、重组等原因失去工作，带有特定的历史和社会背景。而“失业”是一个更广泛的概念，指没有工作，原因可以多种多样。
在90年代国企改革高峰期，“下岗”一词使用非常普遍。现在虽然使用频率降低，但在讨论相关历史或社会问题时仍会被提及。
下岗职工通常会根据相关政策获得一定的经济补偿金，有时也会得到再就业培训或内部转岗的机会。
虽然“下岗”一词主要与国有企业改革相关，但广义上，任何企业因经营困难或结构调整导致员工失去工作，都可以被理解为“下岗”或类似情况。
Test Yourself
由于工厂效益下滑，许多工人面临______的危险。
根据语境，工厂效益下滑导致工人失去工作，最符合“下岗”的含义，尤其是在可能涉及国企背景时。
“下岗”一词最常与哪个时期的中国经济状况相关？
“下岗”一词的广泛使用主要集中在20世纪90年代，这是中国国有企业改革的关键时期。
请用下列词语组成一个通顺的句子：下岗，许多，工人，得到，补偿。
这个句子结构清晰，逻辑关系明确，表达了工人下岗以及获得补偿的事实。
Score: /3
Summary
Xiagang refers to being laid off, particularly from state-owned enterprises during China's economic reforms.
- To be laid off from a state-owned enterprise.
- Often due to economic reforms or restructuring.
- Implies loss of job and employment status.
Understand the Historical Context
Recognize that 'xiagang' is deeply tied to China's economic transition period, especially the 1990s reforms.
Avoid Overgeneralization
While similar to 'laid off', 'xiagang' carries specific connotations related to state-owned enterprise reforms in China.
Social Impact of Reforms
The term reflects a significant period of social change and restructuring in China, affecting millions of workers.
Examples
4 of 4由于企业改制，很多老职工都下岗了。
Due to enterprise restructuring, many older workers were laid off.
他是一位下岗工人，现在自己开了一家小餐馆。
He is a laid-off worker and now runs a small restaurant himself.
那次下岗潮让许多家庭的生活陷入了困境。
That wave of layoffs plunged many families into financial hardship.
研究表明，90年代的下岗现象对中国劳动力市场结构产生了深远影响。
Research indicates that the phenomenon of being laid off in the 1990s profoundly impacted the structure of China's labor market.
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充裕的
B2Abundant, ample, or sufficient in quantity.
事故
A2accident; mishap
依照
A2According to; in accordance with.
准确地
A2accurately, precisely
做到
A2to achieve; to accomplish
积极地
A2actively; enthusiastically
应变
B2Adaptive; capable of dealing with emergencies.
行政
A2Administration; the management of affairs.
过后
A2Afterwards; at a later or subsequent time.
赞同
A2To approve of, to endorse; to agree with or support.
