解雇

• Reading: かいこ
• Romaji: kaiko
• Kanji breakdown: 解 (kai) — release, undo, dissolve; 雇 (ko) — employ, hire
• Pronunciation: /ka.i.ko/

Meaning

Dismissal; discharge; firing; layoff. The formal termination of employment.

A noun that can also function as a する-verb (解雇する = to fire/dismiss). Written with 解 (release/undo) + 雇 (employ), literally 'releasing from employment.' More formal than クビにする (casual 'to fire'). Japanese labour law makes 解雇 relatively difficult, so the word carries serious weight.

Examples

1. 不正行為が発覚し、彼は即座に解雇された。 His misconduct was discovered and he was immediately dismissed.
2. 業績悪化により、大規模な解雇が行われた。 Due to poor business performance, large-scale layoffs took place.
3. 不当解雇に対して、労働者は裁判を起こした。 Workers filed a lawsuit against the wrongful dismissal.

Usage Guide

Context: business, legal, news

Tone: serious

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese: 解 (kai, release/undo) + 雇 (ko, employ/hire). Literally means 'releasing from hire,' conveying the formal dissolution of an employment relationship.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal