衰退

• Pinyin: shuāi tuì
• Hanzi breakdown: 衰 = 亠 + 口 + 衣 (decline); 退 = 彳 + 艮 (retreat)

Meaning

To decline; to deteriorate; to recede. Describes a gradual decrease in strength, power, quality, or economic activity.

Frequently used in economics (经济衰退 = recession) and medicine. Implies a sustained, systemic downward trend rather than a brief or temporary dip.

Examples

1. 全球经济在疫情期间出现了大幅衰退。 The global economy went into a major downturn during the pandemic.
2. 随着年龄增长，人的记忆力会逐渐衰退。 As people age, their memory tends to decline gradually.
3. 该地区的制造业自上世纪九十年代起持续衰退。 Manufacturing in the region has been in decline since the 1990s.

Usage Guide

Context: economics, medicine, politics

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 分析师预测该国经济将在明年进入衰退阶段。(Analysts predict that the country's economy will enter a recession next year.)
• 视力随年龄增长而逐渐衰退是一种正常的生理现象。(Gradual decline in eyesight with age is a normal physiological phenomenon.)

Don't Say

• 他的学习成绩衰退了 — use 下降 or 退步 for academic performance; 衰退 implies a systemic, prolonged decline rather than a drop in grades

Origin & History

衰 (decline) + 退 (retreat/withdraw)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal