cízhí: 辞职 - To Resign, To Quit a Job

• Keywords: 辞职, cizhi, resign in Chinese, quit job in Chinese, how to say resign in Chinese, Chinese for resignation, resignation letter, fire vs. resign in Chinese, 离职, 炒鱿鱼
• Summary: Learn how to say “resign” or “quit a job” in Chinese with the essential verb 辞职 (cízhí). This page provides a deep dive into its meaning, cultural context, and practical usage for anyone working or planning to work in a Chinese-speaking environment. Understand the difference between formally resigning (辞职), being fired (炒鱿鱼), and the modern trend of job-hopping (跳槽).

• Pinyin (with tone marks): cízhí
• Part of Speech: Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: To formally resign from a position of employment.
• In a Nutshell: 辞职 (cízhí) is the standard, professional term for the act of quitting your job. It's a neutral word that describes the formal process of leaving a position voluntarily. Think of it as the word you would use in a resignation letter (辞职信, cízhí xìn) or when officially informing your manager or HR department.

• 辞 (cí): The primary meaning here is “to take leave” or “to bid farewell.” It implies a formal departure. It can also mean “word” or “diction,” but in this context, focus on the “parting” aspect.
• 职 (zhí): This character means “post,” “duty,” or “job.” It's a component in many work-related words like 职业 (zhíyè - profession) and 职位 (zhíwèi - position).
• Together, 辞职 (cízhí) literally means “to take leave from one's post,” a direct and clear combination that perfectly captures the modern meaning of “to resign.”

Historically, Chinese culture placed immense value on job stability, famously encapsulated by the term 铁饭碗 (tiě fànwǎn), the “iron rice bowl”—a secure, lifelong job, often with the state. In that context, 辞职 was a major, often disruptive, life event. In modern China, especially among younger generations, this has changed dramatically. The concept of 跳槽 (tiàocáo), or “job-hopping,” is now common as people seek better opportunities, higher salaries, or a better work-life balance. However, the process of 辞职 is still often handled with more attention to social harmony than in some Western cultures. In the US, giving “two weeks' notice” can be a very direct, transactional process. In China, there's a stronger emphasis on preserving 关系 (guānxi) or “relationships.” It's crucial to resign gracefully, expressing gratitude to your boss and colleagues and ensuring a smooth handover. Burning bridges is highly inadvisable, as your professional reputation can follow you. The goal is to leave on good terms, making your departure a smooth transition rather than an abrupt break.

辞职 (cízhí) is the default term for resigning in almost all contexts, but its usage can be broken down:

• Formal & Professional: This is its primary domain. You use it when speaking to your boss, HR, or in official written communication.
  • `我准备提交辞职信。` (Wǒ zhǔnbèi tíjiāo cízhí xìn.) - “I am preparing to submit my resignation letter.”
  • `他下周一正式辞职。` (Tā xià zhōuyī zhèngshì cízhí.) - “He officially resigns next Monday.”
• Informal Conversation: While still the correct term, in very casual chats with close friends, you might hear more direct expressions of frustration first, like `我真不想干了！` (Wǒ zhēn bùxiǎng gàn le! - “I really don't want to do this anymore!”). However, when they describe the actual action they took, they will still use 辞职.
  • Friend A: `你最近怎么了？` (Nǐ zuìjìn zěnmele? - “What's up with you lately?”)
  • Friend B: `我辞职了。` (Wǒ cízhí le. - “I quit.”)
• Connotation: The word itself is neutral. The connotation depends entirely on the reason for the resignation. It can be a positive step toward a better career or a negative result of a toxic work environment.

• Example 1:
  • 经过认真考虑，我决定辞职。
  • Pinyin: Jīngguò rènzhēn kǎolǜ, wǒ juédìng cízhí.
  • English: After careful consideration, I have decided to resign.
  • Analysis: This is a very standard and formal sentence, perfect for telling your manager your decision. The phrase `经过认真考虑` (jīngguò rènzhēn kǎolǜ) adds a sense of professionalism and seriousness.
• Example 2:
  • 他因为薪水太低而辞职了。
  • Pinyin: Tā yīnwèi xīnshuǐ tài dī ér cízhí le.
  • English: He resigned because the salary was too low.
  • Analysis: This sentence clearly states the reason for the resignation using the `因为…而…` (yīnwèi…ér…) structure, meaning “because of X, (as a result) Y.”
• Example 3:
  • 你听说了吗？我们部门的经理辞职了。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ tīng shuōle ma? Wǒmen bùmén de jīnglǐ cízhí le.
  • English: Did you hear? The manager of our department resigned.
  • Analysis: A common example of how 辞职 is used in workplace gossip or sharing news.
• Example 4:
  • 辞职以后，你有什么打算？
  • Pinyin: Cízhí yǐhòu, nǐ yǒu shénme dǎsuàn?
  • English: After you resign, what are your plans?
  • Analysis: Here, 辞职 functions as the event that sets the timeframe for the question.
• Example 5:
  • 他从那家互联网公司辞职是为了自己创业。
  • Pinyin: Tā cóng nà jiā hùliánwǎng gōngsī cízhí shì wèile zìjǐ chuàngyè.
  • English: He resigned from that internet company in order to start his own business.
  • Analysis: Shows the `从 [place] 辞职` (cóng…cízhí) structure, meaning “to resign from…” and provides a positive reason.
• Example 6:
  • 老板批准了我的辞职申请。
  • Pinyin: Lǎobǎn pīzhǔnle wǒ de cízhí shēnqǐng.
  • English: The boss approved my resignation application.
  • Analysis: In this sentence, 辞职 acts as an adjective modifying `申请` (shēnqǐng - application), forming the compound noun `辞职申请` (resignation application).
• Example 7:
  • 现在经济不好，很多人不敢轻易辞职。
  • Pinyin: Xiànzài jīngjì bù hǎo, hěnduō rén bù gǎn qīngyì cízhí.
  • English: The economy is not good right now, so many people don't dare to resign easily.
  • Analysis: This sentence reflects the practical considerations surrounding the decision to 辞职. `轻易` (qīngyì) means “easily” or “lightly.”
• Example 8:
  • 她一拿到新工作的offer，就马上辞职了。
  • Pinyin: Tā yī ná dào xīn gōngzuò de offer, jiù mǎshàng cízhí le.
  • English: As soon as she got the offer for the new job, she resigned immediately.
  • Analysis: Demonstrates the `一…就…` (yī…jiù…) structure, meaning “as soon as… then…”.
• Example 9:
  • 他是主动辞职的，不是被解雇的。
  • Pinyin: Tā shì zhǔdòng cízhí de, bùshì bèi jiěgù de.
  • English: He resigned voluntarily; he wasn't fired.
  • Analysis: This sentence directly contrasts 辞职 (resigning) with `被解雇` (bèi jiěgù - being fired), highlighting its voluntary nature. `主动` (zhǔdòng) means “proactive” or “on one's own initiative.”
• Example 10:
  • 最近兴起一种“裸辞”的潮流，就是还没找到下家就辞职。
  • Pinyin: Zuìjìn xīngqǐ yī zhǒng “luǒcí” de cháoliú, jiùshì hái méi zhǎodào xià jiā jiù cízhí.
  • English: Recently a trend of “naked resignation” has emerged, which means resigning before having found a new job.
  • Analysis: Introduces the very modern and relevant concept of 裸辞 (luǒcí), which is built upon the root word 辞职.

• Mistake 1: Confusing “To Resign” with “To Be Fired”
  • This is the most critical distinction. 辞职 (cízhí) is always voluntary. The slang for being fired is 炒鱿鱼 (chǎo yóuyú), and the formal term is 解雇 (jiěgù).
  • Incorrect: `他被老板辞职了。` (Tā bèi lǎobǎn cízhí le.) This is grammatically wrong because you cannot “be resigned” by someone else.
  • Correct (Fired): `他被老板炒鱿鱼了。` (Tā bèi lǎobǎn chǎo yóuyú le.) - “He was fired by the boss.”
  • Correct (Resigned): `他向老板辞职了。` (Tā xiàng lǎobǎn cízhí le.) - “He resigned to the boss.”
• Mistake 2: Using Informal Phrases in a Formal Context
  • Phrases like `我不干了` (wǒ bù gàn le - “I'm not doing this anymore!”) or `我不想做了` (wǒ bùxiǎng zuò le - “I don't want to do this anymore!”) express the *desire* to quit. They are fine to say to friends but are highly unprofessional if said to a manager. They imply frustration and a lack of respect for the formal process.
  • Always use 辞职 in a professional setting.

• 解雇 (jiěgù) - The formal verb for “to fire,” “to dismiss.” The direct antonym of 辞职.
• 炒鱿鱼 (chǎo yóuyú) - Literally “to stir-fry squid.” The ubiquitous slang term for “to be fired.”
• 离职 (lízhí) - To leave a job. A broader, more neutral term that can encompass resigning, being fired, or retiring. 辞职 is a specific type of 离职.
• 跳槽 (tiàocáo) - To job-hop; to leave one's job for another. This describes the action of moving between companies.
• 裸辞 (luǒcí) - “Naked resignation.” A modern term for quitting a job without having a new one secured.
• 退休 (tuìxiū) - To retire. Another way to voluntarily leave the workforce, but due to age rather than changing jobs.
• 辞职信 (cízhí xìn) - Resignation letter. The formal document you submit when you 辞职.
• 铁饭碗 (tiě fànwǎn) - “Iron rice bowl.” The cultural concept of a secure, lifelong job, which stands in contrast to the modern culture of 辞职 and 跳槽.
• 加班 (jiābān) - To work overtime. A very common reason why someone might decide to 辞职.