To lay off staff, typically due to organizational changes or financial issues.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Company dismisses employees due to business reasons.
- Often happens during restructuring or financial difficulty.
- A serious term affecting livelihoods.
Overview
裁员（cáiyuán）是一个描述组织或公司解雇员工的常用词汇。它通常发生在公司面临财务困境、业务重组、技术变革或市场需求变化等情况下。裁员是一个比较严肃的词语，因为它直接关系到员工的生计和职业发展。
“裁员”通常作为动词使用，后面可以接宾语，如“裁员员工”、“裁员部门”。也可以单独使用，表示进行裁员的动作。例如：“公司决定裁员以降低成本。”。“裁员”也常与表示原因的词语连用，如“因经济不景气而裁员”、“因技术更新而裁员”。
这个词经常出现在财经新闻、公司公告、人力资源管理讨论以及求职相关的语境中。例如，当一家公司发布季度财报不佳时，媒体可能会报道“该公司可能面临裁员风险”。在讨论企业发展战略时，也可能提到“为了提高效率，公司计划进行一定程度的裁员”。
解雇比裁员的范围更广，可以指因个人原因（如违纪、不胜任工作）或组织原因（如裁员）而终止雇佣关系。裁员特指因组织层面的调整而进行的批量性或规模性解雇。
辞退通常指用人单位主动解除劳动合同，原因可能包括但不限于经济性裁员、员工不胜任工作、严重违纪等。它与裁员有重叠，但裁员更侧重于组织战略调整下的减员。
这是一个更委婉的说法，有时企业会用“人员优化”来代替“裁员”，意思是调整人员结构，提升效率，但实际上可能包含裁员的含义。
Examples
由于疫情影响，许多公司被迫进行大规模裁员。
newsDue to the impact of the pandemic, many companies were forced to carry out large-scale layoffs.
为了提高效率，公司管理层决定对部分冗余部门进行裁员。
businessTo improve efficiency, the company's management decided to lay off staff in some redundant departments.
听说他们公司最近在裁员，好多人都走了。
informalI heard their company is laying off people recently, many have left.
在经济衰退期间，企业裁员率通常会显著上升。
academicDuring economic downturns, corporate layoff rates typically rise significantly.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
裁员通知
layoff notice
裁员补偿
severance pay
裁员率
layoff rate
Often Confused With
While both involve ending employment, '解雇' is broader and can be for individual misconduct or incompetence. '裁员' specifically refers to workforce reduction driven by organizational needs or economic conditions.
'辞退' is similar to '解雇' but often implies the employer initiates the termination. It can encompass layoffs, but also terminations for cause. '裁员' is a specific type of '辞退' focusing on reduction.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The term '裁员' is direct and carries a negative connotation, indicating a loss of jobs. It is commonly used in formal contexts like news reports and business discussions. While '优化' or '调整' might be used euphemistically, '裁员' is the standard and unambiguous term.
Common Mistakes
Avoid using '裁员' to describe voluntary resignations. Ensure the context implies an employer-initiated termination due to organizational or economic reasons, not individual performance issues.
Tips
Understand Layoff Contexts
Recognize '裁员' in news about company performance or restructuring. It implies significant workforce reduction.
Avoid Casual Usage
'裁员' is a serious term. Avoid using it lightly, especially when discussing personal job situations unless it's factual.
Impact on Social Stability
Large-scale layoffs can be a sensitive issue in China, potentially impacting social stability and government policy considerations.
Word Origin
The character '裁' (cái) means to cut, tailor, or decide. '员' (yuán) means member or person. Together, '裁员' implies 'cutting members' or personnel reduction.
Cultural Context
In Chinese culture, job security is highly valued. News of significant layoffs can cause public concern and is often reported with sensitivity. Companies may use softer language initially to manage employee morale and public perception.
Memory Tip
Think of '裁' (cut) and '员' (personnel). '裁员' literally means 'cutting personnel', visualizing scissors cutting through a list of employees.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions裁员通常指公司因经营状况、结构调整等原因而进行的批量性解雇。解雇的范围更广，可以包括因个人原因（如违纪）或公司原因（如裁员）而终止雇佣关系。
公司裁员的原因多种多样，包括但不限于：经济下行导致收入减少、业务转型需要调整人员结构、技术进步导致部分岗位被取代、公司合并或被收购等。
裁员对员工的影响通常是负面的，包括失去收入来源、需要重新寻找工作、可能面临职业发展中断、以及心理上的压力和不确定感。
有的，有时企业会使用“人员优化”、“组织结构调整”、“精简人员”等说法来委婉地表达裁员的意思，但其本质仍然是减少员工数量。
Test Yourself
由于市场需求下降，公司不得不进行______以降低运营成本。
句子描述了因成本原因减少员工的情况，符合“裁员”的定义。
“裁员”最准确的描述是：
裁员是公司主动终止雇佣关系，通常涉及多个员工，原因多为经营层面。
请用“裁员”、“由于”、“经济”、“不景气”组合成一个句子。
选项a清晰地表达了因果关系：经济不景气是公司裁员的原因。
Score: /3
Summary
To lay off staff, typically due to organizational changes or financial issues.
- Company dismisses employees due to business reasons.
- Often happens during restructuring or financial difficulty.
- A serious term affecting livelihoods.
Understand Layoff Contexts
Recognize '裁员' in news about company performance or restructuring. It implies significant workforce reduction.
Avoid Casual Usage
'裁员' is a serious term. Avoid using it lightly, especially when discussing personal job situations unless it's factual.
Impact on Social Stability
Large-scale layoffs can be a sensitive issue in China, potentially impacting social stability and government policy considerations.
Examples
4 of 4由于疫情影响，许多公司被迫进行大规模裁员。
Due to the impact of the pandemic, many companies were forced to carry out large-scale layoffs.
为了提高效率，公司管理层决定对部分冗余部门进行裁员。
To improve efficiency, the company's management decided to lay off staff in some redundant departments.
听说他们公司最近在裁员，好多人都走了。
I heard their company is laying off people recently, many have left.
在经济衰退期间，企业裁员率通常会显著上升。
During economic downturns, corporate layoff rates typically rise significantly.
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