Meaning and Usage
"失業" (しつぎょう) means "unemployment" or "losing one's job." It is a noun commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to talk about the state of being without work.
Common Contexts
This word often appears in discussions about economic conditions, personal job status, or social welfare. For example, you might hear it in news reports about the economy or when someone talks about their current job situation.
Collocations and Patterns
- 失業する: to become unemployed
- 失業中: during unemployment
- 失業保険: unemployment insurance
- 失業率: unemployment rate
These collocations are useful for talking about the process, duration, and support related to unemployment.
Register and Nuance
"失業" is neutral and appropriate in both spoken and written Japanese. It is not casual slang but is commonly used in everyday conversation when discussing job loss.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "失業" with "退職" (たいしょく), which means "retirement" or "resignation." Remember, "失業" implies losing a job involuntarily, while "退職" can be voluntary.