Translation guide
Describes a period of reduced economic activity, ranging from mild slowdowns to severe depressions. Japanese has several terms that map to different severities and contexts.
To refer to a broad decline in economic activity, often used in news or everyday conversation.
The most common and general term for an economic slump or recession. Can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
日本は長引く不況に苦しんでいる。
Japan is suffering from a prolonged economic slump.
不況の影響で失業率が上がった。
The unemployment rate rose due to the recession.
A more technical term for an economic downturn or recession, often used in economic reports.
政府は景気後退を認めた。
The government acknowledged the economic downturn.
Loanword from English 'recession', used in economic contexts but less common than native terms.
世界経済はリセッションに突入した。
The global economy has entered a recession.
To emphasize a deep, long-lasting economic crisis, like the Great Depression.
Often used interchangeably with 不況, but can imply a more prolonged or severe slump, sometimes translated as 'depression'. Common in everyday speech.
この町は長年の不景気で活気がない。
This town has no vitality due to years of economic depression.
Refers specifically to a panic or severe economic crisis, like the Great Depression (世界恐慌). Stronger than 不況.
Loanword from English 'depression', used in economic contexts but rare.
To describe a milder, perhaps short-term, dip in economic activity.
Literally 'economic deceleration', used for a slowdown rather than a full recession.
中国経済の景気減速が懸念されている。
The economic slowdown in China is a concern.
Means stagnation or standstill, often used for economic stagnation.
経済の停滞が続いている。
Economic stagnation continues.
To refer to a slump affecting a particular sector or business, not the whole economy.
Often used in compounds like 業績不振 (poor business performance) or 消費不振 (sluggish consumption). Indicates a slump or dullness.
自動車産業の不振が続いている。
The auto industry slump continues.
消費不振が小売店を直撃した。
The consumption slump hit retailers directly.
Means a drop or decline, often used for sales or economic indicators.
Both mean economic slump/recession. 不況 is slightly more formal and common in news; 不景気 is often used in everyday conversation and can feel more prolonged. They are largely interchangeable.
不況で仕事がない。 / 不景気で仕事がない。
There are no jobs because of the recession.
The English word 'slump' can be translated as スランプ, but that usually refers to a personal slump (e.g., in sports or studies), not an economic one. For economics, use the terms above.
1929年の世界恐慌は多くの国を襲った。
The Great Depression of 1929 hit many countries.
Economists are concerned about the return of a depression.
Idiomatic phrase meaning 'marking time' or 'at a standstill', used for an economy that isn't growing.
景気は足踏み状態だ。
The economy is at a standstill.
売り上げの落ち込みが激しい。
The drop in sales is severe.