Meaning and Usage
"不調" (ふちょう) refers to a state of being in poor condition or not functioning well. It is commonly used to describe physical health issues, mechanical malfunctions, or performance slumps.
Common Contexts
You will often hear "不調" in medical contexts when someone is feeling unwell, in technical contexts when machines or devices are not working properly, and in performance or results contexts such as sports, studies, or work.
Collocations and Patterns
- 不調が続く: to continue being in bad condition
- 不調になる: to become malfunctioning or to slump
- 体調不調: physical health problems
- 成績不調: poor performance or results
Register and Nuance
"不調" is a formal or neutral term suitable for written and spoken Japanese. It is often used in news reports, business, and medical settings. It is less casual than simply saying "調子が悪い" but conveys a similar meaning.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "不調" with "不調和" (disharmony). Remember that "不調" focuses on condition or performance being bad, not on harmony or agreement.