罢免

• Pinyin: bà miǎn
• Hanzi breakdown: 罢 = 罒 (net) + 能 (phonetic); 免 = to remove/exempt

Meaning

To remove from office; to dismiss; to recall (an official).

A formal term for removing someone from an official position, typically through a legal or procedural process. Used for government officials, board members, or other positions of authority.

Examples

1. 股东大会决定罢免这位业绩不佳的CEO。 The shareholders' meeting decided to remove this underperforming CEO.
2. 根据法律规定，选民有权罢免不称职的代表。 According to the law, voters have the right to recall incompetent representatives.
3. 他因严重失职被罢免了职务。 He was removed from his position due to serious dereliction of duty.

Usage Guide

Context: political, corporate

Tone: official

Do Say

• 董事会罢免了他。(The board removed him from office.)
• 启动罢免程序。(Initiate the recall process.)

Don't Say

• 对普通员工说'罢免' (Don't use 罢免 for regular employees — use 解雇 or 开除; 罢免 is for officials)

Origin & History

罢 (to stop/dismiss) + 免 (to exempt/remove). Together: to remove from a position.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal