Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ====== cízhí: 辞职 - To Resign, To Quit a Job ====== ===== Quick Summary ===== * **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]]). ===== Core Meaning ===== * **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. ===== Character Breakdown ===== * **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." ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== 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. ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== **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 Sentences ===== * **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**. ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== * **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.** ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * [[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**.