低谷

• Pinyin: dī gǔ
• Hanzi breakdown: 低 = 亻 + 氐 (to be low); 谷 = 八 + 口 (valley — a hollow between hills)

Meaning

Trough; low point; nadir. The lowest period or worst phase in a process, cycle, or life situation.

Used both metaphorically and in technical contexts. In economics: market trough or recession low. In personal life: a period of hardship or failure. Implies a temporary phase — the word carries an implicit sense that recovery is possible.

Examples

1. 她事业跌入低谷时，正是家人的支持让她重新站了起来。 When her career hit rock bottom, it was her family’s support that helped her get back on her feet.
2. 经济进入低谷期，消费者信心大幅下滑，企业纷纷缩减开支。 As the economy enters a downturn, consumer confidence has dropped sharply and companies are cutting back spending.
3. 运动员受伤后陷入低谷，经过一年的康复训练，终于重返赛场。 After being injured, the athlete fell into a slump; after a year of rehab training, he finally returned to competition.

Usage Guide

Context: economics, personal growth, psychology, narrative

Tone: empathetic

Do Say

• 在人生低谷时，保持信念和行动力是走出困境的关键。(During the lowest points in life, maintaining belief and the drive to act is key to overcoming difficulties.)
• 股市经历低谷后往往会迎来强劲反弹，历史数据支持这一规律。(After experiencing a trough, the stock market often sees a strong rebound — historical data supports this pattern.)

Don't Say

• 他到了低谷里 — unnatural; use 他陷入了低谷 or 他处于低谷期; 低谷 is largely metaphorical, so avoid overly literal spatial prepositions

Origin & History

低 (low) + 谷 (valley)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal