zo2 cin1左遷左迁

Jyutpingzo2 cin1

Yalejó chīn

Definition

To demote or downgrade someone to a lower job rank.

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How it's used

This term is strictly formal and literary, originating from ancient Chinese bureaucratic systems where the left side was considered lower in rank than the right. You will almost never hear it in casual daily conversation, as people prefer using plain terms like 降職. It carries a strong sense of historical weight and is mostly encountered in news reports, historical dramas, or formal writing.

Examples

keoi5佢jan1因wai6為faan6犯co3錯bei2俾jan4人zo2左cin1遷heoi3去pin1偏jyun5遠bou6部mun4門。

He was demoted to a remote department because of his mistake.

teng1聽gong2講ging1經lei5理bei2俾gung1公si1司zo2左cin1遷zo2咗，hai6係mai6咪zan1真㗎？

I heard the manager was demoted by the company, is that true?

Common phrases

bei6被zo2左cin1遷

to be demoted

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a literal physical movement to the left, but it is exclusively used for professional demotion. Using it in a casual setting will sound overly dramatic or archaic.