recession; economic slump; hard times
Refers to a generally bad economic climate or a period when the economy is weak. Used as both a noun and a na-adjective.
See also: 好景気
この不景気で、多くの会社が採用を減らした。
Because of this recession, many companies reduced hiring.
The economic slump has dragged on, and it is affecting household finances too.
business is poor; sluggish; slack
Used for a particular shop, industry, market, or line of business being slow or inactive, rather than necessarily the whole economy.
This industry has been sluggish since the beginning of the year.
Business has been poor at the shop lately, and customer traffic is not growing.
Extended non-economic use for a gloomy mood, face, story, or atmosphere. Common in phrases such as 不景気な顔.
Don't look so gloomy.
Only gloomy topics came up at the meeting.
The restaurant industry has been in a slump lately.
The economy suddenly slid into a recession last year.
This recession has already dragged on for five years.
Don't make such a gloomy face.
The company somehow managed to weather this recession.