Translation guide
In Japanese, expressing 'layoff' depends on the context: temporary suspension vs. permanent dismissal, and the level of formality. The most common term is 一時解雇 (temporary layoff), while 解雇 is a general term for dismissal. For corporate restructuring, リストラ is widely used but often implies permanent job loss.
A worker is temporarily sent home, often due to lack of work, with expectation of being called back.
The standard term for a temporary layoff. It implies the employment relationship continues, but the worker is not working or being paid during the layoff period.
工場は需要減少のため、50人の一時解雇を発表した。
The factory announced the temporary layoff of 50 workers due to decreased demand.
Loanword from English, used in business contexts. Often implies a temporary layoff, but can be ambiguous.
景気後退で、多くの企業がレイオフを実施している。
Due to the recession, many companies are implementing layoffs.
A more formal or bureaucratic term for temporary layoff, literally 'temporary furlough'. Used in official documents or news.
会社は従業員に一時帰休を命じた。
The company ordered its employees to take a temporary furlough.
A worker is permanently let go from their job, often due to company restructuring or performance.
General term for dismissal or discharge. Can be used for both temporary and permanent, but context usually makes it clear. Often used in legal/formal contexts.
彼は業績不振を理由に解雇された。
He was dismissed due to poor performance.
Short for リストラクチャリング (restructuring). Commonly used to refer to job cuts or layoffs as part of corporate downsizing. Often implies permanent job loss.
Specifically refers to dismissal due to managerial reasons (restructuring, downsizing). A subset of 解雇.
Colloquial and somewhat blunt term for firing or layoff. Literally 'beheading'. Used in casual conversation or news headlines.
Describing the experience of losing one's job due to layoff.
Passive form of 解雇. The most straightforward way to say 'to be laid off/dismissed'.
彼は突然解雇された。
He was suddenly laid off.
Passive form of リストラ. Commonly used to mean 'to be laid off due to restructuring'.
父がリストラされて、家計が苦しくなった。
My father was laid off, and our household finances became tight.
Casual expression meaning 'to be fired/laid off'. Literally 'to lose one's neck'.
Referring to a specific round or number of layoffs.
Literally 'personnel reduction'. Often used in news to describe layoffs as a measure.
会社は大規模な人員削減を計画している。
The company is planning large-scale layoffs.
Mass layoff or mass dismissal. Used when a large number of employees are let go at once.
工場閉鎖に伴い、大量解雇が行われた。
Mass layoffs were carried out following the factory closure.
解雇 is a broad legal term for dismissal, including firing for cause. リストラ specifically refers to job cuts due to corporate restructuring and is the most common term in everyday conversation about layoffs. レイオフ is a loanword that often implies a temporary layoff but is less common than リストラ in general use.
Directly translating 'layoff' as レイオフ may not be understood by all Japanese speakers, especially older generations. Use リストラ or 解雇 depending on context.
不況で多くの社員がリストラにあった。
Many employees were laid off due to the recession.
会社は整理解雇を避けるため、希望退職を募った。
The company solicited voluntary retirement to avoid compulsory layoffs.
その会社は大量の首切りを行った。
That company carried out massive layoffs.
He was slow at work and got laid off.