Translation guide
The English word "slump" has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common ones for learners: an economic downturn, a personal period of low performance or motivation, a physical posture (slouching), and a sudden drop in value or quality.
A period of poor economic performance, recession, or depression.
The standard term for an economic slump or recession. Used in news and everyday conversation.
Japan is in a serious slump.
Refers to bad economic conditions, often with a nuance of depressed business activity. Slightly more colloquial than 不況.
Work has decreased because of the slump.
A loanword from English, often used in economic contexts but more commonly for personal slumps. Acceptable but less formal.
The economic slump continues.
A temporary period of reduced ability, motivation, or success, especially in sports, academics, or creative work.
The most common and natural way to express a personal slump. Widely understood.
Lately, I've been in a slump at work.
Literally "condition is bad," used to describe being in a slump or off one's game. Very natural in spoken Japanese.
I'm in a slump today for some reason.
Often used in compounds like 成績不振 (poor performance) or 営業不振 (business slump). More formal and written.
To sit, stand, or walk with a drooping, hunched posture.
Literally "cat back," the standard term for a hunched or slouching posture. Used as a noun or with になる/している.
Literally "round one's back," a verb phrase describing the action of slumping or hunching over.
Leaning forward, often with a hunched posture. Can describe a temporary slump while sitting.
A sharp decline in numbers, value, or quality.
A sudden drop, especially for stock prices or market values. Common in financial news.
Stock prices slumped.
A crash or plunge, more severe than 急落. Used for drastic slumps in markets.
A general decline or drop in quality, performance, or level. Formal and often used in reports.
The loanword スランプ is only used for economic or personal performance slumps. It does not mean a slouching posture. Use 猫背 or 背中を丸める instead.
Both mean economic slump, but 不況 is more formal and often used in news/analysis. 不景気 is slightly more conversational and can refer to a general feeling of bad times.
He can't get out of his slump.
The team is struggling in a slump this season.
Tired, he was walking with a slump.
A slumped posture is bad for your back.
市場が暴落した。
The market slumped drastically.
Quality is slumping.