再见996

越来越多的中国年轻打工人正在拒绝无情的“996”工作文化，一些公司也在重新思考职场文化。

今天你练听力了吗？

🤔️小作业：

1. Which of the following changes has NOT been mentioned as a response by companies to new workforce expectations?

A. Increasing annual bonuses to incentivize loyalty

B. Introducing remote-working options and wellness days

C. Offering clearer paths for career progression

D. Relaxing dress codes in some state-owned enterprises

无注释原文：

Quitting time for '996'?

From: MarketWatch

In response to the changing attitudes, some Chinese companies are re-evaluating their workplace cultures. There is a growing recognition that the “996” model is unsustainable and even counterproductive.

The priorities of this youthful demographic cohort, known as Generation Z in the U.S., “primarily revolve around physical and mental health, followed closely by wealth accumulation,” said Zhang Xiaomeng, a professor at Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business, whose research surveyed 17,000 respondents. “They face obstacles in the workplace, including anxiety; low mental resilience; and dissatisfaction with pay, career prospects and work-life balance.”

Companies are beginning to implement more flexible work arrangements, prioritize employee well-being and offer clearer paths for career advancement to attract and retain talent. Human-resources teams across the country are also adjusting recruitment strategies to signal a more humane and adaptive office culture.

Startups and midsized firms have led the way, offering remote-work options, “wellness days” and clearer progression frameworks. Even some state-owned enterprises have relaxed dress codes and re-evaluated internal metrics to better align with evolving workforce expectations.

This shift among China's young adults has broader implications for the country's economy and society. It challenges long-held beliefs about work ethic and success, prompting a national conversation about the value of labor, the definition of achievement and the importance of mental health.

There's also a growing policy interest in addressing youth disaffection, with local governments experimenting with job training programs, entrepreneurship subsidies and even mental-health awareness campaigns. Whether these will meaningfully change the structural pressures remains to be seen.

But what's clear is that a generation that grew up amid rapid growth and urban transformation is now asking tougher questions about what a “good life” actually looks like — and whether constant sacrifice is worth the promise of advancement.

These young adults are signaling a desire for a more balanced and fulfilling life, moving away from the exhaustive demands of traditional work culture. This quiet rebellion is prompting employers and policymakers to reconsider and reformulate approaches to work, success and well-being in the modern era.

For a nation long defined by its high-octane growth and relentless drive, the rise of a slower, more skeptical generation could mark one of the most consequential cultural shifts in decades.

- ◆ -

注：完整题目见本文开头；中文文本为华尔街日报官方译文，仅供参考

含注释全文：

Quitting time for '996'? 该对“996”模式说再见了吗？

From: MarketWatch

In response to the changing attitudes, some Chinese companies are re-evaluating their workplace cultures. There is a growing recognition that the “996” model is unsustainable and even counterproductive.

面对观念变化，一些中国公司也在重新思考职场文化。越来越多的人认识到，“996”模式不光难以持续，还可能适得其反。

unsustainable /ˌʌn.səˈsteɪ.nə.bəl/ 表示“无法以同一标准持续的；枯竭式开采资源的；不符合可持续发展的；不可持续的”，英文解释为“Something that is unsustainable cannot continue at the same rate；causing damage to the environment by using more of something than can be replaced naturally”举个🌰：This level of spending is unsustainable. 这种开销持续不了多久。

counterproductive /ˌkaʊn.tə.prəˈdʌk.tɪv/ 表示“产生相反效果的；产生相反作用的；事与愿违的，适得其反的”，英文解释为“having an effect that is opposite to the one intended or wanted”举个🌰：Improved safety measures in cars can be counterproductive as they encourage people to drive faster. 提高车辆安全性的措施可能会适得其反，因为这会激励人们开快车。

前缀counter-表示“（用于构词）表示相反或相对”（Counter- is used to form words which refer to actions or activities that are intended to prevent other actions or activities or that respond to them.）如：counter-terrorism 反恐，counter-example 反面例子。

The priorities of this youthful demographic cohort, known as Generation Z in the U.S., “primarily revolve around physical and mental health, followed closely by wealth accumulation,” said Zhang Xiaomeng, a professor at Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business, whose research surveyed 17,000 respondents. “They face obstacles in the workplace, including anxiety; low mental resilience; and dissatisfaction with pay, career prospects and work-life balance.”

长江商学院（Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business）教授张晓萌表示，在美国被称作Z世代的年轻群体主要考虑的是身心健康，其次是财富积累。”她的研究调查了17,000名受访者。“他们在职场上面临许多障碍，包括焦虑，心理承受力差，对薪酬、职业前景、还有工作与生活层面的平衡感到不满。”

demographic /ˌdem.əˈɡræf.ɪk/ 1）作形容词，表示“人口的；人口统计的；人口学的”，英文解释为“relating to demography (= the study of populations and the different groups that make them up)”举个🌰：There have been monumental social and demographic changes in the country. 该国的社会和人口状况已经发生了巨大的变化。

2）作名词，表示“（顾客）族群”，英文解释为“a group of people, for example customers, who are similar in age, social class, etc.”举个🌰：This demographic (young teenagers) is the fastest-growing age group using the site. 该族群（十几岁的年轻人）是使用这个网站人数增长最快的年龄群体。

📍demographics /ˌdem.əˈɡræf.ɪks/ 表示“人口统计数据，人口统计结果”，英文解释为“the number and characteristics of people who live in a particular area or form a particular group, especially in relation to their age, how much money they have and what they spend it on”举个🌰：The demographics of the country have changed dramatically in recent years. 近年来该国的人口统计数据发生了巨大的变化。

cohort /ˈkoʊ.hɔːrt/ 表示“有共同特点（通常指年龄）的一群人”，英文解释为“a group of people who share a characteristic, usually age”举个🌰：This study followed up a cohort of 100 patients aged 65+ for six months after their discharge home. 这项研究对100位年龄在65岁以上、出院回家的患者进行了6个月的跟踪观察。

📍词根“co-”表示“共同”，“hort”来自拉丁语“cohors”，意味着“围栏，团体”，整体意思是一群共同被“围栏”起来的人，即共同经历某事的一组人。常用短语：Birth cohort（出生队列）：指在同一时间段出生的人群，常用于研究随时间变化的健康模式或疾病趋势。Cohort study（队列研究）：一种观察性研究，跟踪并分析特定特征的一组人随时间的变化。

revolve around sb/sth 表示“以…为中心；以…为主题；围绕…”，英文解释为“to have someone or something as the main or most important interest or subject”举个🌰：The conversation revolved around childcare problems. 这次会谈的中心议题是儿童保育方面的问题。

accumulation /əˌkjuː.mjəˈleɪ.ʃən/ 表示“积累；积聚；积攒”，英文解释为“an amount of something that has been collected”举个🌰：Accumulations of sand can be formed by the action of waves on coastal beaches. 由于海浪的冲击作用，海滩上会堆积沙子。

respondent /rɪˈspɒn.dənt/ 表示“回答者；答复者；应答者”，英文解释为“a person who answers a request for information”举个🌰：In a recent opinion poll, a majority of respondents were against nuclear weapons. 在最近的一次民意调查中，大多数调查对象表示反对发展核武器。

resilience /rɪˈzɪliəns/ 表示“快速恢复的能力；适应力”，英文解释为“the ability of people or things to feel better quickly after sth unpleasant, such as shock, injury, etc.”

Companies are beginning to implement more flexible work arrangements, prioritize employee well-being and offer clearer paths for career advancement to attract and retain talent. Human-resources teams across the country are also adjusting recruitment strategies to signal a more humane and adaptive office culture.

为了吸引并留住人才，企业开始实行更灵活的工作安排，优先考虑员工福利，并提供更清晰的职业发展路径。全国各地的人力资源团队也在调整招聘策略，展现更人性化和适应性更强的职场文化。

humane /hjuːˈmeɪn/ 表示“（尤指对待受苦者）善良的，仁慈的，人道的”，英文解释为“showing kindness, care, and sympathy towards others, especially those who are suffering”

Startups and midsized firms have led the way, offering remote-work options, “wellness days” and clearer progression frameworks. Even some state-owned enterprises have relaxed dress codes and re-evaluated internal metrics to better align with evolving workforce expectations.

初创公司和中型企业在这方面走在前列，提供远程工作选项、“健康日”和更清晰的晋升框架。甚至一些国有企业也放宽了着装要求，并重新评估内部指标，更好地顺应员工期望。

startup / start-up /ˈstɑːt.ʌp/ 表示“刚起步的小企业，新兴小型企业；初创公司”，英文解释为“a small business that has just been started”如：start-up costs 创业成本，举个🌰：Start-ups are very vulnerable in the business world. 商界中刚起步的小企业非常脆弱。

dress code表示“着装标准；着装规定”，英文解释为“The dress code of a place is the rules about what kind of clothes people are allowed to wear there.”举个🌰：There was a brutally enforced dress code, which required women to be covered from head to toe. 曾有着严格的着装规定，要求女士从头到脚都要裹紧。

code可以表示“法典，法规；行为准则，道德规范”，英文解释为“a set of rules, laws, or principles that tell people how to behave”，如：fire code可以解释为消防规范，消防法规，highway code （英国）交通规则。

metric /ˈmet.rɪk/ 作形容词，表示“公制的，米制的”，英文解释为“using or relating to a system of measurement that uses metres, centimetres, litres, etc.”举个🌰：The recipe is given in both metric and imperial measures. 制作方法以公制和英制两种计量方法标出。

作名词，它通常表示“度量标准”或“衡量指标”。它用于描述一种可以量化或衡量某个事物的标准或指标，英文解释为“a standard or measure for assessing something”

This shift among China's young adults has broader implications for the country's economy and society. It challenges long-held beliefs about work ethic and success, prompting a national conversation about the value of labor, the definition of achievement and the importance of mental health.

中国年轻人的这种转变对国家经济和社会具有更广泛的影响。他们开始质疑长期以来围绕职业道德和成功的认知，在全社会引发了关于劳动价值、成就的定义以及心理健康重要性的广泛讨论。

implication /ˌɪm.plɪˈkeɪ.ʃən/ 1）表示“可能的影响（或作用、结果）”，英文解释为“a possible effect or result of an action or a decision”举个🌰：The development of the site will have implications for the surrounding countryside. 这个地点的开发将会影响周围的乡村。

2）表示“含意；暗指，暗示”，英文解释为“an occasion when you seem to suggest something without saying it directly”举个🌰：From what she said, the implication was that they were splitting up. 她的话中暗示他们将要分手。

There's also a growing policy interest in addressing youth disaffection, with local governments experimenting with job training programs, entrepreneurship subsidies and even mental-health awareness campaigns. Whether these will meaningfully change the structural pressures remains to be seen.

政策层面也日益重视青年群体的不满，地方政府正试行职业培训、创业补贴，甚至心理健康宣传等项目。这些举措能否切实改变结构性压力仍有待观察。

subsidy /ˈsʌb.sɪ.di/ 表示“补助金；津贴，补贴”，英文解释为“money given as part of the cost of something, to help or encourage it to happen”举个🌰：The company received a substantial government subsidy. 公司得到了大笔的政府津贴。

But what's clear is that a generation that grew up amid rapid growth and urban transformation is now asking tougher questions about what a “good life” actually looks like — and whether constant sacrifice is worth the promise of advancement.

但可以明确，在经济高速增长和城市快速转型中成长起来的这一代年轻人正在提出更“硬核”的问题：什么才是真正的“美好生活”？为了进步而不断牺牲到底值不值得。

These young adults are signaling a desire for a more balanced and fulfilling life, moving away from the exhaustive demands of traditional work culture. This quiet rebellion is prompting employers and policymakers to reconsider and reformulate approaches to work, success and well-being in the modern era.

这些年轻人发出了一种信号：希望拥有更平衡、更有满足感的生活，摆脱传统职场文化中令人筋疲力尽的要求。这场悄然的反叛促使雇主和政策制定者重新思考并重构新时代下的工作方式、成功标准与福利保障。

rebellion /rɪˈbel.i.ən/ 表示“叛逆；抗争；反抗”，英文解释为“action against those in authority, against the rules, or against normal and accepted ways of behaving”如：her teenage rebellion 她青春期的叛逆行为。

For a nation long defined by its high-octane growth and relentless drive, the rise of a slower, more skeptical generation could mark one of the most consequential cultural shifts in decades.

对于一个长期以高速增长和不懈进取闻名的国家而言，一个节奏更慢、更具怀疑精神的世代的崛起，可能标志着数十年来最重大的一次文化变迁。

high-octane /ˌhaɪˈɒk.teɪn/表示“令人兴奋的；强烈的；优质的；高辛烷值的”，英文解释为“You can use high-octane to emphasize that something is very exciting or intense.”如：a high-octane performance 一场令人情绪高涨的演出。

1）consequential常见含义同consequent一样，表示“间接的；随之发生的；结果的，作为直接结果的”如：redundancy and the consequential loss of earnings 裁员以及随之而来的收入损失。

2）用来替换我们经常用的词important, significant等表示“重要的，意义重大的”如：意义重大的决定 a consequential decision.

- 词汇盘点 -

- 词汇助记 By AI -

LearnAndRecord

2015年2月8日

2025年5月29日

第3764天

每天持续行动学外语