低迷する

• Reading: ていめいする
• Romaji: teimei suru
• Kanji breakdown: 低 (tei) — low; 迷 (mei) — lost, wander, be perplexed
• Pronunciation: /teː.meː.sɯ.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To be sluggish; to be in a slump. Describes a prolonged period of poor performance or stagnation.

A Group 3 (suru) compound verb combining 低迷 (stagnation/slump) with する. Primarily used for economic conditions, business performance, and sports results that remain disappointingly low over time. Implies not just being low, but lingering there without improvement. Common collocations include 景気が低迷する (the economy stagnates) and 成績が低迷する (grades/results slump).

Examples

1. 景気が低迷して失業率が上がっている。 The economy is stagnating and the unemployment rate is rising.
2. チームの成績は今シーズンずっと低迷している。 The team's performance has been in a slump all season.
3. 売上が低迷する中、新しい戦略が求められている。 With sales in a slump, a new strategy is needed.

Usage Guide

Context: economics, business, sports, news

Tone: serious

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese 低 (tei, low) + 迷 (mei, to be lost/wander). Literally 'to wander low,' vividly depicting a state of being stuck at a low level without finding a way up.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Professional