解雇

• Pinyin: jiě gù
• Hanzi breakdown: 解 = 角 + 刀 + 牛 — to release; 雇 = 户 + 隹 — to employ

Meaning

To dismiss; to fire; to lay off. Terminating someone's employment.

A formal term for ending an employment relationship, typically initiated by the employer. Can refer to dismissal for cause or economic layoffs. More neutral than 开除 (which implies punishment) and more formal than 炒鱿鱼 (colloquial).

Examples

1. 公司因经营困难不得不解雇了一批员工。 Due to business difficulties, the company had to lay off a group of employees.
2. 他因严重违反公司规定而被解雇。 He was fired for seriously violating company regulations.
3. 疫情期间，很多行业出现了大规模解雇现象。 During the pandemic, mass layoffs occurred in many industries.

Usage Guide

Context: work, business, legal

Tone: serious

Do Say

• 他被公司解雇了。(He was fired by the company.)
• 公司无故解雇员工是违法的。(It's illegal for a company to fire employees without cause.)

Don't Say

• 用'解雇'描述辞职 (Don't use 解雇 for resignation — 解雇 is employer-initiated, use 辞职 for voluntary departure)

Origin & History

Composed of 解 (to release; to dismiss) + 雇 (to employ; to hire). Together they describe releasing someone from employment.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Professional contexts