Definition
停薪留职 is a fixed expression (成语式短语) meaning 'to take unpaid leave while retaining one's job position'. It describes a formal arrangement where an employee temporarily stops working and stops receiving salary, but the employer keeps the job open for them. This is different from quitting or being fired — the employee can return to the same position later. It was especially common in Chinese state-owned enterprises during economic reforms.
f.e.
to take unpaid leave while retaining one's job position
Examples
- 停薪留职，。Tā shēnqǐng le tíng xīn liú zhí, qù guówài xuéxí yì nián.He applied for unpaid leave with job retention to study abroad for a year.
- 停薪留职，。Gōngsī yǔnxǔ yuángōng tíng xīn liú zhí, dàn xūyào tíqián sān gè yuè shēnqǐng.The company allows employees to take unpaid leave with job retention, but they need to apply three months in advance.
- 停薪留职，，。tíng xīn liú zhí qījiān, dānwèi bù zài fā gōngzī, dàn bǎoliú zhíwèi.During the unpaid leave period, the employer stops paying salary but keeps the position open.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.