Meanings of 失业
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Podcast: 失业
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AI Study Notes for 失业
失业 (shīyè) vs 下岗 (xiàgǎng) — use 失业 when referring to being unemployed without a job, while 下岗 specifically refers to being laid off from a job.
Be careful not to confuse 失业 with other terms that relate to job loss, such as 解雇 (jiě gù, to be fired). 失业 is more general and can refer to any unemployment situation. It is used in both formal and informal contexts, commonly appearing in news articles and discussions about economic issues.
For HSK Level 5, focus on understanding 失业 in relation to economic discussions and vocabulary surrounding employment. This word connects well with other terms in this level related to work and economics, such as 工作 (gōng zuò, work) and 职业 (zhí yè, profession).
Learners often mistakenly use 失业 to describe voluntary job changes, but it specifically denotes involuntary unemployment. For instance, saying '我失业了因为我辞职' (I am unemployed because I resigned) is incorrect; instead, use '我辞职了' (I resigned).
Pronunciation of 失业
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Component Characters
How to say unemployment in Chinese
“unemployment” in Chinese is失业
失业 (shī yè) refers to the state of being unemployed or having lost one's job. This term is commonly used in discussions about the job market, economic conditions, and personal circumstances related to work. It emphasizes not just the absence of a job, but also the challenges and implications that come with it.
When to use 失业
Be careful not to confuse 失业 with other terms that relate to job loss, such as 解雇 (jiě gù, to be fired). 失业 is more general and can refer to any unemployment situation. It is used in both formal and informal contexts, commonly appearing in news articles and discussions about economic issues.
失业 or something close to it
失业 (shīyè) vs 下岗 (xiàgǎng) — use 失业 when referring to being unemployed without a job, while 下岗 specifically refers to being laid off from a job.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mistakenly use 失业 to describe voluntary job changes, but it specifically denotes involuntary unemployment. For instance, saying '我失业了因为我辞职' (I am unemployed because I resigned) is incorrect; instead, use '我辞职了' (I resigned).
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Grammar Patterns of 失业
失业 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
____率上升，相对应的是生产率进一步提高。
The obverse of rising unemployment is continued gains in productivity.
Example Sentences for 失业 (10)
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Cultural Notes for 失业
In Western cultures, unemployment is often addressed with social safety nets and welfare systems, while in China, it might be more closely tied to family support and social expectations.
Frequently Asked Questions about 失业
失业 refers to being unemployed in general, while 解雇 specifically means to be fired from a job.
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