肩たたき
含义: A subtle hint or gentle push from management for an employee to resign voluntarily.
Literally meaning 'shoulder tapping,' this term refers to the indirect Japanese approach to encouraging unwanted employees to quit. Rather than directly firing someone (which is legally and culturally difficult in Japan), a manager might suggest early retirement, offer a severance package, or gradually reduce responsibilities. The practice reflects Japan's preference for indirect communication and face-saving in difficult workplace situations.
例句
- 50歳を超えたら肩たたきに遭う可能性があるって聞いた。 听说过了50岁就有可能被劝退。He oído que a partir de los 50 años hay posibilidades de que te den el «toquecito en el hombro».50살 넘으면 퇴직 권고를 받을 수 있다고 들었어.
- 部長に肩たたきされたって、同僚が落ち込んでた。 同事被部长劝退了，情绪很低落。Un compañero estaba hundido porque el director le había dado a entender que debía dimitir.부장한테 퇴직 권고를 받았다고 동료가 풀이 죽어 있었어.
- 最近の肩たたきは、わざと暇な部署に異動させるパターンもあるらしい。 最近的劝退手段，好像也有故意把人调到清闲部门的套路。Últimamente parece que la técnica del «toquecito» también incluye trasladarte a un departamento donde no haces nada.요즘 퇴직 권고는 일부러 한가한 부서로 이동시키는 패턴도 있다더라.
发音
/ka.ta ta.ta.ki/
用法指南
语境: workplace, news, casual conversation
语气: serious, euphemistic
✓ 正确说法
- 肩たたきされたらどうする？ (What would you do if you got pushed to resign?)如果被劝退了你会怎么办？（如果被暗示让你辞职，你会怎么做？）¿Qué harías si te presionaran para que dimitieses?퇴직 권고를 받으면 어떻게 할 거야? (사직 압박을 받으면 어떻게 대응하겠느냐는 뜻.)
- 最近、管理職への肩たたきが増えてるみたいだね。 (It seems like more managers are getting the tap on the shoulder lately.)最近好像越来越多的管理层被劝退了。（看起来最近更多的管理人员被拍了肩膀。）Parece que cada vez están presionando a más directivos para que se vayan.요즘 관리직 대상 퇴직 권고가 늘고 있는 것 같아. (관리자급에게 퇴직을 넌지시 권하는 경우가 많아지고 있다는 뜻.)
✗ 错误说法
- 本人に「肩たたきされたんでしょ？」と直接聞くのは失礼 (Asking someone directly 'you got pushed out, right?' is rude and insensitive)直接问别人'你是被劝退的吧？'很失礼，也很伤人Preguntarle directamente a alguien «te han presionado para irte, ¿no?» es una falta de respeto y de sensibilidad.본인에게 '퇴직 권고 받은 거지?'라고 직접 물어보는 것은 실례 — 매우 무례하고 상대의 기분을 상하게 하는 행위
常见错误
- Confusing with literal shoulder massage — the workplace meaning is about pressuring someone to quit
- Not understanding the legal nuance: 肩たたき exists because Japanese labor law makes direct firing very difficult
起源与历史
Originally from the literal act of tapping someone's shoulder to get their attention. In the workplace context, it evolved to mean the act of subtly signaling to an employee that they should consider leaving. The euphemistic usage became widespread from the 1980s onward.
文化背景
Era: 1980s onward, integral to Japanese employment culture
Generation: Most relevant for mid-career and senior workers
Social background: Corporate workers, especially at large traditional companies
Regional notes: Used across all of Japan. Reflects the indirect communication style prevalent in Japanese corporate culture.
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