失調

しっちょう

lack of harmony, imbalance

JLPT N1

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

"失調" (しっちょう) refers to a state of imbalance or lack of harmony. It is often used in medical or technical contexts to describe physical, mental, or systemic disorders where normal balance is disrupted.

Common Contexts

You will frequently see "失調" used in phrases like "体の失調" (bodily imbalance), "精神の失調" (mental imbalance), or "経済の失調" (economic imbalance). These indicate a disruption in normal function or harmony.

Collocations and Patterns

  • 体の失調: physical imbalance, often related to health issues
  • 精神の失調: mental imbalance, psychological disorders
  • 経済の失調: economic imbalance, referring to financial or market instability

Register and Nuance

"失調" is a formal and somewhat technical term, commonly found in medical, psychological, or economic discussions. It is not used in casual conversation but appears in written or professional contexts.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse "失調" with "不調" (ふちょう), which also means disorder or malfunction but is more general and less formal. "失調" specifically emphasizes imbalance or lack of coordination.

Example Sentences

かれはからだのしっちょうをかんじてびょういんにいった。

He felt a bodily imbalance and went to the hospital.

けいざいのしっちょうがしゃかいもんだいをひきおこしている。

Economic imbalance is causing social problems.

せいしんのしっちょうはてきせつなちりょうがひつようだ。

Mental imbalance requires proper treatment.