裁员 cáiyuán to cut staff
to cut staff; to lay off employees
How to remember 裁员: 裁 to trim + 员 member = to cut staff.
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How it is used
- To lay off staff / downsize - 公司大规模裁员 (gōngsī dàguīmó cáiyuán) the company laid off staff on a large scale.
- Verb-object (裁 cut + 员 staff); can split: 裁了不少员.
- Business/news register; distinct from 解雇 (jiěgù, to fire an individual) - 裁员 is cutting headcount, usually for economic reasons.