不振

• Reading: ふしん
• Romaji: fushin
• Kanji breakdown: 不 (fu) — not, un-; 振 (shin) — swing, wave, flourish
• Pronunciation: /ɸɯ.ɕiɴ/

Meaning

Slump; stagnation; poor performance. A state of below-normal activity or results.

A noun and adjectival noun describing a period of poor performance or inactivity: 営業不振 (business slump), 食欲不振 (loss of appetite). Often appears as a suffix attached to the area affected: 売上不振 (sales slump), 成績不振 (poor academic results). Implies a decline from a previously acceptable level.

Examples

1. 長引く不振から抜け出すために戦略を見直した。 We overhauled our strategy to pull out of the prolonged slump.
2. 夏バテで食欲不振が続いている。 Summer fatigue has left me with a persistent loss of appetite.
3. チームは今シーズン打撃不振に苦しんでいる。 The team has been struggling with poor hitting this season.

Usage Guide

Context: business, sports, health

Tone: concerned

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese: 不 (fu, not) + 振 (shin, swing/shake/flourish). Literally 'not flourishing' — a failure to thrive or perform vigorously.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal