kāichú: 开除 - To Expel, Fire, Dismiss
Quick Summary
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Summary: Learn the meaning of 开除 (kāichú), a powerful Chinese verb for being formally expelled or fired from an institution like a school or company. This is not a casual term; it signifies a serious offense and carries a heavy cultural weight, distinct from being “laid off.” This page explores its use in workplace and academic contexts, its cultural implications related to “face,” and how it differs from slang terms like “炒鱿鱼 (chǎo yóuyú).”
Core Meaning
Pinyin (with tone marks): kāichú
Part of Speech: Verb
HSK Level: HSK 5
Concise Definition: To expel or dismiss someone from a group or organization as a form of serious punishment.
In a Nutshell: Think of 开除 (kāichú) as the ultimate, formal act of removal. It's not a manager shouting “You're fired!” in a moment of anger. It's an official, documented decision made after a severe transgression. Whether from a school, a company, or even the Party, being “kāichú-ed” is a final, shameful event with lasting consequences for one's reputation.
Character Breakdown
开 (kāi): While commonly meaning “to open,” in this context, it takes on the meaning of “to remove” or “to get rid of.” Think of it as “opening a path for someone to leave.”
除 (chú): This character directly means “to remove,” “to get rid of,” or “to eliminate.”
The two characters combine to form a strong, direct meaning: to formally and decisively remove and eliminate someone from an organization.
Cultural Context and Significance
In Chinese culture, the group (collective) is often valued as highly as the individual. Being part of a school, a work unit (单位, dānwèi), or the Party provides identity, security, and social standing. 开除 (kāichú) is the formal act of severing this tie, casting the individual out of the collective.
This is fundamentally different from the Western concept of simply being “fired.” In the U.S., losing a job is unfortunate, but it's often seen as a transactional event. One can be fired for “not being a good fit” or during company restructuring. 开除, however, almost exclusively implies serious fault on the part of the individual—theft, fraud, violence, or a major breach of ethics.
Consequently, being subject to 开除 leads to a significant loss of “face” (面子, miànzi). It brings shame not only to the individual but also to their family. It creates a black mark on one's personal record (档案, dàng'àn) that can make it extremely difficult to find another reputable position or gain acceptance into another school. It is a public and deeply personal punishment.
Practical Usage in Modern China
开除 (kāichú) is a formal and serious term used in official contexts. You will hear it in news reports, see it in company regulations, and find it in official termination letters.
In the Workplace
This is the ultimate disciplinary action for an employee. It is reserved for severe misconduct. A company would not 开除 an employee for poor performance (they would likely be managed out or encouraged to resign). It is used for things like stealing company property, leaking trade secrets, or assaulting a colleague.
In Academia
A student might be 开除 from a university for serious academic dishonesty (like hiring someone to take an exam), plagiarism on a major thesis, or committing a crime. It is the equivalent of “expulsion” and is the most severe punishment a school can deliver.
In Politics
A member of the Chinese Communist Party can be 开除党籍 (kāichú dǎngjí), or “expelled from the Party.” This is a grave political punishment that ends a political career and signifies complete disgrace.
Example Sentences
Example 1:
他因为在考试中作弊而被学校开除了。
Pinyin: Tā yīnwèi zài kǎoshì zhōng zuòbì ér bèi xuéxiào kāichú le.
English: He was expelled from school for cheating on an exam.
Analysis: This is a classic example of using 开除 in an academic context. The passive voice with 被 (bèi) is very common, as the action is done *to* the person.
Example 2:
如果你偷公司的东西，你会被开除的。
Pinyin: Rúguǒ nǐ tōu gōngsī de dōngxi, nǐ huì bèi kāichú de.
English: If you steal things from the company, you will be fired.
Analysis: This sentence serves as a direct warning, highlighting the severe consequences of a specific action.
Example 3:
那位经理由于收受贿赂被公司开除了。
Pinyin: Nà wèi jīnglǐ yóuyú shōushòu huìlù bèi gōngsī kāichú le.
English: That manager was fired by the company for accepting bribes.
Analysis: This demonstrates a typical workplace scenario for 开除 – a serious ethical violation.
Example 4:
公司规定，泄露商业机密者，一律开除。
Pinyin: Gōngsī guīdìng, xièlòu shāngyè jīmì zhě, yīlǜ kāichú.
English: Company regulations state that those who leak business secrets will be dismissed without exception.
Analysis: Here, 开除 is used in a formal rule or regulation. The word 一律 (yīlǜ) emphasizes the “no exceptions” nature of the punishment.
Example 5:
他被开除后，很难再找到一份好工作。
Pinyin: Tā bèi kāichú hòu, hěn nán zài zhǎodào yī fèn hǎo gōngzuò.
English: After he was fired/expelled, it was very difficult for him to find a good job again.
Analysis: This sentence illustrates the long-term consequences and social stigma associated with being 开除.
Example 6:
老板威胁说，如果项目再失败，就要开除整个团队。
Pinyin: Lǎobǎn wēixié shuō, rúguǒ xiàngmù zài shībài, jiù yào kāichú zhěnggè tuánduì.
English: The boss threatened that if the project fails again, he will fire the entire team.
Analysis: While 开除 is formal, it can be used in a threat to show extreme seriousness. In reality, a company would likely use 裁员 (cáiyuán) for project failure, so this is hyperbolic.
Example 7:
据报道，该官员因严重违纪被开除党籍和公职。
Pinyin: Jù bàodào, gāi guānyuán yīn yánzhòng wéijì bèi kāichú dǎngjí hé gōngzhí.
English: According to reports, that official was expelled from the Party and removed from public office for serious violations of discipline.
Analysis: This is a very common phrase in Chinese news about anti-corruption campaigns, showing the term's use in a political context.
Example 8:
我听说他大学没毕业，因为打架被开除了。
Pinyin: Wǒ tīngshuō tā dàxué méi bìyè, yīnwèi dǎjià bèi kāichú le.
English: I heard he didn't graduate from college because he was expelled for fighting.
Analysis: This is a more conversational example, used when talking about someone's past.
Example 9:
你最好小心点，我们新来的主管已经开除两个人了。
Pinyin: Nǐ zuìhǎo xiǎoxīn diǎn, wǒmen xīn lái de zhǔguǎn yǐjīng kāichú liǎng gè rén le.
English: You'd better be careful, our new supervisor has already fired two people.
Analysis: This shows the active use of the verb. It implies the supervisor took the formal action to fire them for cause.
Example 10:
这次只是一个书面警告，但下次可能就是开除了。
Pinyin: Zhè cì zhǐshì yī gè shūmiàn jǐnggào, dàn xià cì kěnéng jiùshì kāichú le.
English: This time it's just a written warning, but next time it might be dismissal.
Analysis: This sentence contrasts 开除 with a lesser punishment, highlighting its position at the top of the disciplinary ladder.
Nuances and Common Mistakes
The most common mistake English speakers make is confusing 开除 (kāichú) with being laid off or with more casual forms of firing.