Meaning and Usage
"不振" (ふしん) refers to a state of poor performance, stagnation, or slump. It is often used in business, sports, and economic contexts to describe something not doing well compared to usual or expected standards.
Common Contexts
You will frequently see 不振 used with sales (売上不振), economy (経済不振), or performance in sports (成績不振). It implies a negative trend or lack of growth.
Collocations and Patterns
- 売上不振: poor sales, used when a company’s revenue is declining.
- 経済不振: economic downturn, referring to a sluggish economy.
- 成績不振: poor results or performance, often in sports or academics.
Register and Nuance
不振 is a formal word often found in news reports, business discussions, and formal writing. It is less common in casual conversation but understood by advanced learners.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 不振 with 不調 (ふちょう), which also means poor condition but is more often used for physical health or equipment malfunction. 不振 is broader and more abstract, focusing on performance or results.