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职业 — meaning in English: Career

zhíyè · Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.

Guess the translation for occupation
职业
zhíyè
行为
xíngwéi
街头
jiētóu
合同
hétóng
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neutral common
Usage
Native speakers often use the word 职业 (zhíyè) in discussions about job choices and career planning, especially during educational or professional counseling. For instance, a high school student might ask a teacher about potential 职业 paths in the technology sector during a career day event.
Synonyms & nuances
While 职业 (zhíyè) refers broadly to one's career or profession, another word, 职务 (zhíwù), specifically denotes one's position or duties within an organization. You would choose 职业 when discussing overall career goals or aspirations, but use 职务 when talking about a specific job role.
Culture
The term 职业 (zhíyè) has roots in classical Chinese, where '职' relates to duty or responsibility, and '业' signifies one's profession or trade. In Chinese culture, career choices are often a topic of family discussion, emphasizing not only personal aspirations but also societal expectations regarding success and stability.
FAQ
Q.What does 职业 mean in English?
职业 (zhíyè) translates to 'career' in English. It encompasses the various professions and jobs that individuals pursue throughout their lives.
Q.How do you use 职业 in a sentence?
You can use 职业 in a sentence like: '我想选择一个我喜欢的职业' (Wǒ xiǎng xuǎnzé yīgè wǒ xǐhuān de zhíyè), which means 'I want to choose a career that I like.'
Q.Are there any common mistakes when using 职业?
A common mistake is confusing 职业 with other related terms like 工作 (gōngzuò), which simply means 'work.' Remember, 职业 implies a long-term career path, while 工作 can refer to any job or task.
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