1.
demotion, relegation
Being transferred to a less important or desirable position as a form of punishment or due to failure; a career setback disguised as a transfer.
彼は地方の支店に左遷された。
He was demoted to a regional branch.
左遷を恐れて上司に逆らえない。
I can't go against my boss for fear of being demoted.
その失敗で閑職に左遷された。
That failure resulted in being relegated to a dead-end position.
左遷されても腐らずに頑張った。
Even after being demoted, he kept working hard without becoming bitter.
左遷 refers to a career demotion typically involving transfer to a less desirable post.
ETYMOLOGY:
The kanji 左 (left) + 遷 (transfer) comes from ancient China, where the left side was considered inferior to the right. Being moved "to the left" meant a demotion.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 左遷される - to be demoted
- 左遷を食らう - to suffer a demotion
- 地方に左遷される - to be banished to the provinces
USAGE NOTE:
In Japanese corporate culture, outright firing is rare. Instead, unwanted employees may be 左遷される to unimportant positions until they quit voluntarily. Being transferred to a distant branch office is a common form.
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 左遷 vs. 降格: 左遷 involves transfer; 降格 is a direct rank reduction
- 左遷 vs. 転勤: 転勤 is neutral transfer; 左遷 implies punishment