Chinese Conversation · Level 46
90 words
Chinese word
转行
Pronunciation
Pinyinzhuǎn háng
Meaning
- verbchange careers
Example
我打算转行当老师。wǒ dǎ suàn zhuǎn háng dāng lǎo shī
I plan to change careers and become a teacher.
More examples
他去年转行到IT行业，做起了程序员。tā qù nián zhuǎn háng dào IT háng yè zuò qǐ le chéng xù yuán
Last year, he changed careers to enter the IT industry and became a programmer.
Core concept
A clear crossing from one line of work into another, with the old professional direction left behind.
Common phrases
转行当老师zhuǎn háng dāng lǎo shī
change careers and become a teacher
转行到IT行业zhuǎn háng dào IT háng yè
change careers to enter the IT industry
Similar words
换职业huàn zhí yè: Change the kind of work done as one's occupation.
换工作huàn gōng zuò: Leave one job and start another job without changing one's main field.
跳槽tiào cáo: Move from a current company to a different company for work.
Definition in Chinese
从一种职业或行业转换到另一种，强调职业方向或业务领域发生实质性变化。cóng yì zhǒng zhí yè huò háng yè zhuǎn huàn dào lìng yì zhǒng qiáng diào zhí yè fāng xiàng huò yè wù lǐng yù fā shēng shí zhì xìng biàn huà
Word origin
The expression is formed from 转 (zhuǎn, "turn or change") and 行 (háng, "line of work or industry"), so its literal structure presents a turn from one working field into another.
Usage tips
- English speakers may use "change jobs" for any move between employers, but this word is more specific when the professional field changes as well.
Other meanings
- switch industriesverb
Opposites
- 留任liú rènremain in one's current positionverb