luǒcí: 裸辞 - To Quit a Job Without Having Another One Lined Up

• Keywords: luoci, 裸辞, naked resignation, quit job without a new one, quitting in China, Chinese slang, work-life balance, 辞职, 跳槽, 996 culture, 内卷, 躺平
• Summary: Learn the meaning of 裸辞 (luǒcí), a popular Chinese slang term that means “to quit a job without having another one lined up.” Often translated as “naked resignation,” this term reflects a modern shift in Chinese work culture, where younger generations are increasingly prioritizing mental health and personal fulfillment over the traditional ideal of job security. This page explores its cultural significance, practical usage, and how it relates to concepts like “996” and “lying flat” (躺平).

• Pinyin (with tone marks): luǒ cí
• Part of Speech: Verb
• HSK Level: N/A (Modern slang)
• Concise Definition: To resign from a job before securing a new one.
• In a Nutshell: 裸辞 (luǒcí) literally means “naked resignation.” Imagine leaving your job with no “safety net” of a new offer to “cover” you—you are completely bare and exposed to the risks of unemployment. This term captures the feeling of vulnerability, but also potential freedom, that comes with leaving a stressful work environment without a concrete next step.

• 裸 (luǒ): This character means naked, bare, or uncovered. Think of it as being stripped of protection.
• 辞 (cí): This character means to resign, to quit, or to take leave. It's the standard character used in the formal word for resignation, 辞职 (cízhí).

When combined, 裸 (luǒ) + 辞 (cí) creates a vivid and modern term. It's not just “quitting”; it's “quitting while naked”— unprotected by a new job offer. This emphasizes the boldness and riskiness of the act.

裸辞 (luǒcí) is a relatively new term that speaks volumes about the changing attitudes of China's younger workforce (particularly the post-80s and post-90s generations). Traditionally, Chinese culture places a huge premium on 稳定 (wěndìng) - stability. The ideal was the 铁饭碗 (tiěfànwǎn) - “iron rice bowl”, a secure job for life, often with the government or a state-owned enterprise. Quitting a job, especially without a new one, was seen as irresponsible and reckless. The rise of 裸辞 (luǒcí) is a direct reaction against the immense pressures of modern Chinese corporate life, often summarized by terms like 996工作制 (996 work culture) and 内卷 (nèijuǎn - involution/hyper-competition). For many, 裸辞 is not a sign of failure, but an act of self-preservation and a quest for better work-life balance. It's a statement that personal well-being is more important than conforming to societal expectations of stability.

• Comparison to Western Culture: In the West, quitting a job without a new one is common, but it doesn't have a single, catchy slang term that carries the same cultural weight. It's usually just described as “quitting my job to take a break” or “leaving before I found something new.” The existence of 裸辞 (luǒcí) as a specific, popular term in Chinese highlights how significant a departure this action is from traditional norms. It's a recognized social phenomenon, not just a personal decision.

裸辞 (luǒcí) is an informal term used frequently in conversations among friends, colleagues, and on social media.

• Connotation: The connotation of 裸辞 (luǒcí) can be:
  • Positive: Portraying the person as brave, independent, and prioritizing their own happiness. (“Good for you!”)
  • Negative: Portraying the person as impulsive, irresponsible, or financially reckless. (“Are you crazy?”)
  • Neutral: Simply stating a fact.
• Common Scenarios:
  • Complaining about work: “这个公司天天加班，我真想裸辞了。” (This company makes us work overtime every day, I really want to just quit.)
  • Announcing a life change: “我下个月就裸辞，准备去旅行一段时间。” (I'm quitting next month without a new job lined up, I plan to travel for a while.)
  • Discussing social trends: “为什么现在的年轻人这么流行裸辞？” (Why is “naked resignation” so popular among young people these days?)

• Example 1:
  • 我上个月裸辞了，现在正在休息。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ shàng gè yuè luǒcí le, xiànzài zhèngzài xiūxi.
  • English: I quit my job last month without a new one, and now I'm taking a rest.
  • Analysis: A simple, neutral statement of fact. This is a common way to explain one's current situation.
• Example 2:
  • 没有足够的存款，你千万不要冲动裸辞。
  • Pinyin: Méiyǒu zúgòu de cúnkuǎn, nǐ qiānwàn búyào chōngdòng luǒcí.
  • English: If you don't have enough savings, you must not impulsively quit your job.
  • Analysis: This sentence carries a cautionary, negative tone. It highlights the financial risk, a primary concern associated with 裸辞.
• Example 3:
  • 他裸辞的勇气让我很佩服。
  • Pinyin: Tā luǒcí de yǒngqì ràng wǒ hěn pèifú.
  • English: I really admire his courage to quit without a new job.
  • Analysis: This shows the positive connotation of 裸辞, framing it as an act of bravery.
• Example 4:
  • 与其在不喜欢的岗位上“内卷”，不如裸辞去寻找新的可能。
  • Pinyin: Yǔqí zài bù xǐhuān de gǎngwèi shàng “nèijuǎn”, bùrú luǒcí qù xúnzhǎo xīn de kěnéng.
  • English: Rather than being stuck in “involution” at a job you dislike, it's better to quit and look for new possibilities.
  • Analysis: This sentence connects 裸辞 directly to the concept of 内卷 (nèijuǎn), showing it as a solution to toxic competition.
• Example 5:
  • 裸辞之后，我才发现找一份满意的工作有多难。
  • Pinyin: Luǒcí zhīhòu, wǒ cái fāxiàn zhǎo yí fèn mǎnyì de gōngzuò yǒu duō nán.
  • English: Only after quitting my job did I realize how hard it is to find a satisfactory one.
  • Analysis: This expresses a sense of regret or a reality check, highlighting the potential downsides.
• Example 6:
  • 我打算裸辞，然后花半年时间学习编程。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ dǎsuàn luǒcí, ránhòu huā bàn nián shíjiān xuéxí biānchéng.
  • English: I plan to quit my job and then spend half a year learning to code.
  • Analysis: Here, 裸辞 is part of a clear, proactive plan for self-improvement, not just an escape.
• Example 7:
  • 网上有很多关于“裸辞攻略”的文章。
  • Pinyin: Wǎngshàng yǒu hěnduō guānyú “luǒcí gōnglüè” de wénzhāng.
  • English: There are many articles online about “naked resignation strategies.”
  • Analysis: This shows how 裸辞 has become a recognized phenomenon with guides and advice shared online.
• Example 8:
  • 我父母非常不理解我为什么要裸辞。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ fùmǔ fēicháng bù lǐjiě wǒ wèishénme yào luǒcí.
  • English: My parents really don't understand why I want to quit my job without another one.
  • Analysis: This highlights the generational gap in attitudes towards job security.
• Example 9:
  • 她裸辞的真正原因是不想再忍受“996”的工作模式。
  • Pinyin: Tā luǒcí de zhēnzhèng yuányīn shì bùxiǎng zài rěnshòu “jiǔjiǔliù” de gōngzuò móshì.
  • English: The real reason she quit was that she didn't want to endure the “996” work model anymore.
  • Analysis: This directly links 裸辞 to the infamous 996工作制 (996 work culture) as a primary motivator.
• Example 10:
  • 裸辞一时爽，一直裸辞一直爽…才怪！
  • Pinyin: Luǒcí yìshí shuǎng, yìzhí luǒcí yìzhí shuǎng… cái guài!
  • English: Quitting is satisfying for a moment, and staying unemployed is always satisfying… not!
  • Analysis: This is a humorous, meme-like phrase you might see online. It plays on the initial thrill of quitting (“一时爽”) but then adds a sarcastic twist (“才怪! - as if! / yeah right!”) to acknowledge the long-term difficulties.

• Don't confuse with 辞职 (cízhí):
  • 辞职 (cízhí) is the general, neutral term for “to resign.” You can 辞职 because you found a better job, are retiring, or for any other reason.
  • 裸辞 (luǒcí) is a *specific type* of resignation: quitting with no job offer. All 裸辞 are a form of 辞职, but not all 辞职 are 裸辞.
  • Incorrect: 我找到了新工作，所以我准备裸辞。 (I found a new job, so I'm preparing to quit without a new job.)
  • Correct: 我找到了新工作，所以我准备辞职。 (I found a new job, so I'm preparing to resign.)
• It's a Verb, Not a Noun: While it describes a phenomenon, in a sentence, it functions as a verb. You “do” 裸辞. For example, you say “我裸辞了” (I did a 'naked resignation'), not “我有一个裸辞” (I have a 'naked resignation').

• 辞职 (cízhí) - The general, formal term for “to resign.” 裸辞 is a specific type of 辞职.
• 跳槽 (tiàocáo) - “To job-hop.” This implies moving from one job directly to another, the opposite of 裸辞.
• 炒鱿鱼 (chǎo yóuyú) - Lit. “to stir-fry squid.” A very common slang term for “to be fired/sacked.” This is involuntary, whereas 裸辞 is voluntary.
• 铁饭碗 (tiěfànwǎn) - “Iron rice bowl.” A concept representing ultimate job security. The cultural ideal that 裸辞 rebels against.
• 996工作制 (jiǔjiǔliù gōngzuòzhì) - The “9am-9pm, 6 days a week” work schedule. A primary cause for burnout that leads to 裸辞.
• 内卷 (nèijuǎn) - “Involution.” Intense, meaningless internal competition. Another major reason people choose to 裸辞.
• 躺平 (tǎng píng) - “To lie flat.” The passive philosophy of doing the bare minimum to reject “hustle culture.” It's a related concept to 裸辞, as both are reactions to workplace pressure, but 躺平 is about staying and disengaging, while 裸辞 is about leaving entirely.
• 找工作 (zhǎo gōngzuò) - “To look for a job.” The necessary, and often difficult, step after you 裸辞.
• 待业 (dàiyè) - “To be unemployed / waiting for employment.” The official-sounding state one is in after a 裸辞.