退職

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: It is read たいしょく. 退 contributes withdrawing and 職 a job, forming a word for leaving one's employment.
• Basic usage: It is used for leaving a long-held job or thanking coworkers in a farewell message.
  • 父は三十年勤めた会社を退職し、畑仕事を始めた。

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Leaving a job versus mandatory retirement
  • 退職 applies to leaving a job for reasons other than reaching retirement age as well. 定年退職 explicitly identifies retirement at the prescribed age.