裁

• Pinyin: cái
• Hanzi breakdown: 裁 = 衣 (clothing) split around 戈 (weapon), depicting cutting cloth

Meaning

To cut; to trim; to reduce (staff). Also means to judge or rule (as in arbitration).

Has multiple meanings depending on context: cutting fabric or paper (裁纸), reducing workforce (裁员), or making judgments (裁判, 裁决). The core meaning involves cutting or making decisive separations.

Examples

1. 经济下行期间，很多公司不得不裁员降本。 During the economic downturn, many companies had to lay off staff to cut costs.
2. 她裁了一块布准备做窗帘。 She cut a piece of fabric to make curtains.
3. 这场争议将由仲裁庭来裁定。 This dispute will be adjudicated by the arbitration tribunal.

Usage Guide

Context: business, crafts, legal

Tone: decisive

Do Say

• 公司要裁掉一半员工。(The company is going to cut half its staff.)
• 请帮我裁一下这张纸。(Please help me cut this paper.)

Don't Say

• 我裁了水果。(For cutting food, use 切 — 裁 is for paper, fabric, or metaphorical cutting)

Origin & History

衣 (clothing) + 戈 (weapon, blade). Originally depicting cutting cloth to make garments, extending to cutting and judging in general.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal