Definition
下岗 is a separable verb (离合词) that originally meant 'to come off sentry duty' in military contexts, but today it overwhelmingly refers to workers being laid off due to state-owned enterprise restructuring or economic reforms. The verb splits like 下了岗 ('got laid off') or 下过岗 ('has been laid off before'). You cannot put a direct object after 下岗 — instead say 从工厂下岗 ('be laid off from the factory'). The noun 岗 can be modified: 下了一次岗 ('experienced one layoff').
v.o.
to be laid off (from a state-owned enterprise due to restructuring)(military) to come off sentry duty
Examples
- 下岗。Tā qùnián cóng gōngchǎng xià gǎng le.He was laid off from the factory last year.
- 。Hěn duō gōngrén xià le gǎng yǐhòu kāishǐ zìjǐ chuàngyè.Many workers started their own businesses after being laid off.
- ，。Tā xià guò liǎng cì gǎng, xiànzài yòu zhǎodào le xīn gōngzuò.He has been laid off twice, and now he's found a new job again.
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