Translation guide
A credit crunch is a sudden reduction in the availability of loans or credit, often during a financial crisis. In Japanese, this is expressed with specific economic terms, but the concept can also be described more generally.
The standard economic term for a sudden tightening of credit conditions.
The most direct and formal economic term for a credit crunch, literally 'credit contraction'. Used in news and financial analysis.
信用収縮が景気後退を引き起こした。
The credit crunch caused a recession.
The direct loanword from English, commonly used in Japanese media and business contexts.
世界的なクレジットクランチが懸念されている。
A global credit crunch is feared.
Refers to monetary tightening, which can lead to a credit crunch. Broader than just credit, but often used in similar contexts.
金融引き締めにより企業の資金調達が難しくなった。
Due to the credit crunch, it became difficult for companies to raise funds.
Explaining the concept in everyday language, not necessarily using economic jargon.
Means 'loans are being tightened' or 'lenders are reluctant to lend'. A natural way to describe a credit crunch in business conversation.
景気が悪くて、銀行が融資を渋っている。
Because of the bad economy, banks are tightening lending.
A noun meaning 'credit crunch' or 'reluctance to lend', often used in news headlines.
中小企業への貸し渋りが深刻化している。
The credit crunch for small and medium-sized enterprises is worsening.
A very plain way to say 'it's hard to borrow money'. Suitable for casual conversation.
今はお金を借りにくい状況だ。
Right now it's a credit crunch situation.
信用収縮 is a macroeconomic concept, while 貸し渋り refers to the behavior of individual banks being reluctant to lend. In many contexts, 貸し渋り is the more tangible manifestation of a credit crunch.
信用収縮が起こると、銀行の貸し渋りが始まる。
When a credit crunch occurs, banks start tightening lending.