失業

• Reading: しつぎょう
• Romaji: shitsugyou
• Kanji breakdown: 失 (shitsu) — lose, miss; 業 (gyou) — work, business, industry
• Pronunciation: /ɕi.tsɯ.ɡʲo.ɯ/

Meaning

Unemployment; job loss. The state of being without work.

A noun that also functions as a する verb (失業する means 'to lose one's job' or 'to become unemployed'). Common related terms include 失業率 (unemployment rate) and 失業者 (unemployed person). Frequently appears in news about economics and social issues.

Examples

1. 不景気で多くの人が失業した。 Many people lost their jobs due to the recession.
2. 失業率が過去最高を記録した。 The unemployment rate hit a record high.
3. 失業中でも毎日規則正しく生活している。 Even while unemployed, I maintain a regular daily routine.

Usage Guide

Context: economics, news, social issues

Tone: serious

Origin & History

Composed of 失 (lose, miss) and 業 (work, business, industry). Together they directly express the loss of one's occupation or livelihood.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Working adults

Social background: Universal