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B2 noun #4,000 most common 10 min read

横ばい

yokobai Top 4,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 横ばい in 30 Seconds

Explanation 横ばい in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to use the word 'yokobai' yet, but you can understand the concept. Think of it as 'no change.' If you have 10 apples today and 10 apples tomorrow, that is 'yokobai.' In Japanese, you would usually say 'kawaranai' (it doesn't change) or 'onaji' (it is the same). 'Yokobai' is a more advanced word that adults use in news and business. The word comes from 'yoko' (side) and 'bai' (from 'hau', to crawl). Imagine a crab crawling sideways. It doesn't go up the mountain or down into the sea; it stays on the same flat sand. When you see a graph in a book and the line is straight from left to right, that is what this word describes. For now, just remember that it means 'staying the same' in a formal way. You might see it in simple news headlines about the weather or prices. If you see 'yokobai,' just think 'the line is flat.' This word is useful because it helps you describe things more precisely than just saying 'it's the same.' It's like the difference between saying 'it's okay' and 'it's stable.' As you learn more Japanese, you will see this word often in newspapers and on TV. It is a very 'adult' word. Even if you don't say it, knowing it will help you understand what people are talking about when they discuss the economy or their health. Just remember the crab! The crab goes sideways, and the graph line goes sideways. That is 'yokobai.'

At the A2 level, you are starting to describe trends and situations. 'Yokobai' is a great word to add to your vocabulary to sound more natural. Instead of always saying 'kawaranai' (not changing), you can use 'yokobai' when talking about numbers or levels. For example, 'The price of milk is yokobai' means the price has not gone up or down for a while. You will mostly see this as 'yokobai desu' or 'yokobai da.' It is very common in weather reports or simple business news. For example, 'Ashita no kion wa yokobai deshou' (Tomorrow's temperature will likely remain the same). This word is a noun, so you use it like other nouns. It's important to know that 'yokobai' is usually for things that *could* change but *aren't* changing right now. It's not for things that are always the same, like the color of the sky. It's for things like your weight, your grades, or the price of a game. If you study every day but your score stays at 80, you can say your score is 'yokobai.' This word helps you move from basic Japanese to more descriptive Japanese. It shows you are paying attention to how things move over time. When you listen to the news, listen for 'yokobai.' It is a very common word in Japan because the economy has been 'yokobai' for a long time. It's a key word for understanding Japanese life and society. Practice saying 'yokobai desu' when someone asks you how something is going and there is no big change.

At the B1 level, you should be able to use 'yokobai' in specific contexts like business, health, and social trends. You should understand that it's a neutral term but can have different nuances. For instance, if a company's sales are 'yokobai,' it might be a problem because they want growth. But if a patient's fever is 'yokobai,' it might be good because it's not getting worse. You should also start using the phrase 'yokobai de suii suru' (to transition in a flat manner). This is a very common and professional-sounding expression. At this level, you can also contrast 'yokobai' with words like 'joushou' (increase) and 'geraku' (decrease). For example, 'Kyounen wa joushou shimashita ga, kotoshi wa yokobai desu' (Last year it increased, but this year it is flat). You should also be aware that 'yokobai' is used for data and trends, not physical objects. Don't use it to describe a flat table! That's a common mistake for B1 learners. Use 'taira' for physical flatness. 'Yokobai' is for the abstract 'line' of progress. You will hear this word in almost every NHK news broadcast about the economy. It is also used in sports to describe a player's performance level over a season. By using 'yokobai,' you demonstrate that you can discuss topics beyond your immediate personal life and can engage with social and economic issues. It's a 'bridge' word that takes you from conversational Japanese into the world of professional and academic Japanese. Try to find a graph in a Japanese article and describe it using 'yokobai,' 'agatte iru,' and 'sagatte iru.'

At the B2 level, you are expected to use 'yokobai' with nuance and accuracy. You should understand collocations like 'yokobai keikou' (flat trend) and 'hobo yokobai' (almost flat). You should also be able to distinguish 'yokobai' from 'teitai' (stagnation) and 'antei' (stability). While 'yokobai' is a neutral description of the graph's shape, 'teitai' implies a negative lack of progress, and 'antei' implies a positive, reliable state. A B2 learner should be able to use 'yokobai' in a business presentation or a formal essay. For example, 'Uriage wa yokobai desu ga, rieki wa joushou shite imasu' (Sales are flat, but profits are rising). This shows you understand the relationship between different data points. You should also be comfortable with the etymology—knowing that it comes from the sideways crawl of a crab—which helps you remember that it's about horizontal movement over time. In a medical context, you can use it to describe a patient's condition: 'Youdai wa yokobai desu' (The condition is stable/unchanged). You should also be able to recognize it in more complex grammatical structures, such as 'yokobai ni tenjiru' (to turn into a flat trend after a period of change). This level of mastery allows you to participate in discussions about the Japanese economy, social issues like the declining birthrate (which might be 'yokobai' after a sharp drop), and corporate performance. It is a vital word for passing the JLPT N2 or N1 exams, as it frequently appears in the reading and listening sections related to charts and social trends. Mastery of 'yokobai' is a hallmark of a proficient Japanese speaker who can handle data-driven discussions.

At the C1 level, you should have a sophisticated understanding of 'yokobai' and its place within the broader vocabulary of Japanese 'kango' (Sino-Japanese words). You should be able to use it to describe complex socioeconomic phenomena with precision. For instance, you might discuss how a certain market segment has reached a 'yokobai' state due to saturation, or how political approval ratings are 'yokobai' despite major scandals. You should also be able to use related terms like 'odoriba' (a landing/plateau) to describe a temporary flat period within a larger trend. A C1 speaker understands the subtle implications of 'yokobai' in different registers. In a high-level economic analysis, 'yokobai' might be used to describe 'zero growth' (zero seichou), and you should be able to discuss the implications of this for the national economy. You should also be able to use the word in more creative or metaphorical ways, such as describing a relationship or a career that has become 'yokobai.' Furthermore, you should be aware of the historical context—how 'yokobai' has been used to describe Japan's economic performance over the last thirty years. This cultural literacy is essential for C1. You should be able to read and summarize white papers or financial reports where 'yokobai' is used alongside technical terms like 'shihyou' (index), 'suijun' (level), and 'hendou' (fluctuation). Your ability to use 'yokobai' should feel natural and effortless, integrated into a wide range of grammatical patterns and stylistic choices. You are not just describing a line; you are analyzing the stability or stagnation of a system. This depth of understanding distinguishes a C1 speaker as someone who can function at a high level in professional, academic, and social environments in Japan.

At the C2 level, your command of 'yokobai' is indistinguishable from that of an educated native speaker. You understand not only the word's primary meaning but also its stylistic nuances and its use in specialized fields. You can engage in deep debates about whether a 'yokobai' trend in a specific industry is a sign of 'matured stability' (seijuku shita antei) or 'structural stagnation' (kouzouteki na teitai). You are comfortable using 'yokobai' in legal, medical, or high-finance contexts where precision is paramount. For example, in a medical research paper, you might use it to describe the baseline level of a control group. In a macro-economic thesis, you might analyze the 'yokobai' of real wages in relation to productivity. You also understand the poetic or literary potential of the word, perhaps using the image of the sideways-crawling crab to critique a society that moves forward in time without progressing in quality. A C2 speaker can also identify when 'yokobai' is being used euphemistically—for example, when a company uses it to mask a lack of innovation or when a politician uses it to avoid admitting a decline. Your grasp of the word includes its interaction with advanced grammar, such as 'yokobai o tadoru' (to follow a flat path) or 'yokobai ni todomaru' (to remain at a flat level). You can switch between formal 'yokobai' and more casual or descriptive terms depending on the audience and purpose. Ultimately, 'yokobai' is just one tool in your vast linguistic arsenal, used with perfect timing and context to convey exactly the right shade of meaning in the most complex of discussions. You are a master of the 'sideways crawl' of Japanese discourse.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

横ばい in 30 Seconds

Yokobai means staying at the same level without going up or down.
It comes from the image of a crab crawling sideways.
Commonly used in business, news, and medical reports to describe trends.
It is a neutral term for stability or lack of progress.

The Japanese term 横ばい (yokobai) is a fascinating noun that captures a specific visual and statistical phenomenon: the lack of change over a period of time. Etymologically, it is derived from the image of a crab crawling sideways—moving forward in time but staying at the exact same horizontal level. In English, we might translate this as 'levelling off,' 'staying flat,' or 'remaining steady.' It is one of the most essential terms for anyone looking to understand Japanese business news, economic reports, or statistical data. While it sounds technical, its roots in the physical world make it highly evocative. Imagine a line graph where, after a period of volatility, the line suddenly stretches out straight toward the right margin. That straight line is exactly what yokobai describes.

Statistical Context: In statistics, it refers to a trend where the dependent variable shows no significant increase or decrease over the observation period.
Economic Context: Used to describe stock prices, interest rates, or inflation when they remain unchanged despite market pressures.
Medical Context: Often used by doctors to describe a patient's condition that is neither improving nor deteriorating.

ここ数年、わが社の売上は横ばいの状態が続いています。(For the past few years, our company's sales have continued to be flat.)

The word is predominantly neutral, but context can give it a positive or negative lean. If you are hoping for growth, yokobai is disappointing. If you are trying to stabilize a volatile situation, yokobai is a success. It is frequently paired with the verb 推移する (suii suru), which means 'to transition' or 'to change over time,' resulting in the phrase 横ばいで推移する (to move along a flat line). This nuance of 'movement within a fixed range' is key to mastering the word. It isn't just that things are 'still'; it's that the trend is moving forward without vertical deviation.

物価は横ばい傾向にあります。(Prices are on a flat trend.)

In everyday conversation, you might use it to describe your weight, your test scores, or even your motivation levels. For example, 'My Japanese ability has been yokobai lately' suggests you've reached a plateau. This versatility makes it a high-frequency word in both professional and casual adult Japanese. Understanding yokobai allows you to describe stability with precision, moving beyond simple words like 'onaji' (same) or 'kawaranai' (doesn't change).

Using 横ばい (yokobai) correctly requires understanding its grammatical function as a noun that often acts like an adjectival noun or part of a compound phrase. It is rarely used as a standalone exclamation. Instead, it anchors sentences that describe trends over time. The most common structure is [Subject] + は + 横ばいだ/です. This is the simplest way to state that something is flat. However, to sound more natural and professional, you should learn the common collocations that Japanese speakers use to add detail to the 'flatness' of the trend.

With 'De' Particle: 横ばいで推移する (yokobai de suii suru): To transition/move in a flat manner. This is the standard way to describe a trend in a report.
With 'No' Particle: 横ばいの状態 (yokobai no joutai): A state of being flat. Used to emphasize the current condition.
With 'Keikou': 横ばい傾向 (yokobai keikou): A flat trend. Used to describe the general direction of data.

輸出額は前年比でほぼ横ばいであった。(The export value was almost flat compared to the previous year.)

When discussing data, it is often modified by adverbs to show the degree of 'flatness.' For example, ほぼ横ばい (almost flat) is used when there are very minor fluctuations that don't change the overall trend. ずっと横ばい (consistently flat) emphasizes a long duration of no change. In more formal writing, you might see 横ばい圏内 (yokobai kennai), which refers to data staying within a 'flat range' or 'sideways channel' in trading contexts. This level of detail is essential for B2 learners who need to move beyond basic descriptions of 'up' and 'down'.

患者の容体は、昨夜から横ばいです。(The patient's condition has been stable since last night.)

Finally, consider the contrastive use. Japanese speakers often use yokobai to contrast with 右肩上がり (migikata agari), which means 'rising to the right' (growth). If a company president says, 'We were hoping for migikata agari, but the results were yokobai,' they are expressing disappointment that things didn't improve. This comparative context helps define the emotional weight of the word in different scenarios.

If you turn on the Japanese news or pick up a newspaper like the Nikkei Shinbun, you will encounter 横ばい (yokobai) almost daily. It is the bread and butter of economic reporting. In Japan, which has experienced long periods of economic stagnation known as the 'Lost Decades,' this word has become a permanent fixture in the national vocabulary. It describes everything from the GDP growth rate to the birth rate. When an announcer says, 'Nikkei Heiki wa yokobai de owarimashita' (The Nikkei average ended flat), they are telling investors that the market was quiet and lacked direction.

The Newsroom: Journalists use it to provide a concise summary of complex data. It saves time by avoiding the need to say 'it didn't go up and it didn't go down.'
Corporate Meetings: During quarterly earnings calls, executives use 'yokobai' to manage expectations. If profit is flat, they focus on cost-cutting or future investments.
Public Health: During the COVID-19 pandemic, Japanese health officials frequently used 'yokobai' to describe the number of daily infections when the wave had peaked and stabilized.

支持率はここ数ヶ月、横ばいを続けている。(The approval rating has remained flat for the past few months.)

Beyond the news, you'll hear it in the workplace. If you ask a colleague how their project is going, and they say 'Zutto yokobai desu ne,' they might mean that they aren't making much progress, but they aren't falling behind either. It's a way to describe a lack of momentum. In the world of sports, a commentator might use it to describe a team's performance level throughout a season if they haven't shown improvement or decline. It’s also common in academic settings when discussing trends in social phenomena, like 'the number of students studying abroad is yokobai.'

新製品の売れ行きは、発売当初から横ばいだ。(Sales of the new product have been flat since its launch.)

Because Japanese culture often values harmony and consistency, yokobai can sometimes be a comforting word. It implies that the 'status quo' is being maintained. However, in the fast-paced world of modern startups or global competition, it is increasingly viewed with a sense of urgency. Hearing 'yokobai' in a high-stakes environment usually triggers a discussion on how to break out of the plateau and achieve 'migikata agari' (upward growth).

While 横ばい (yokobai) is a straightforward concept, learners often make a few key mistakes in its application and nuance. The most common error is using it to describe physical flatness. In English, 'flat' can describe a table, a tire, or a soda. In Japanese, yokobai only describes a trend or a state over time. You cannot use it to say 'The floor is flat' (that would be 平ら (taira)) or 'The tire is flat' (that would be パンクしている (panku shite iru)). Using yokobai for physical objects sounds very strange to native speakers.

Confusion with 'Teitai': Mistaking 'yokobai' for 'teitai' (stagnation). 'Teitai' is almost always negative, implying things are stuck. 'Yokobai' is a neutral description of a trend line.
Incorrect Verb Pairing: Trying to use 'yokobai' as a suru-verb (yokobai suru). While 'suii suru' is okay, 'yokobai suru' is non-standard.
Misunderstanding the Image: Thinking it means 'moving slowly.' It means moving at the same level, regardless of speed.

❌ この机は横ばいです。(This desk is flat.)
✅ この机は平らです。(This desk is flat.)

Another mistake is using it for people who are physically lying down. While the 'bai' (crawling) part might make you think of someone lying on the ground, the word for 'lying on one's side' is 横向き (yokomuki) or 横になる (yoko ni naru). Yokobai is strictly for data and states of being. Additionally, learners sometimes forget that yokobai implies a continuation. You wouldn't use it for a single point in time; it describes a duration. If a price was 100 yen yesterday and 100 yen today, you might say it's yokobai, but if you just want to say 'the price is 100 yen,' you just state the price.

❌ 彼はベッドで横ばいになっている。(He is lying sideways on the bed.)
✅ 彼はベッドで横になっている。(He is lying down on the bed.)

Finally, be careful with the particle に (ni). While you can say 横ばいになる (to become flat), you usually use 横ばいで when describing how something is transitioning. Small grammatical slips like using yokobai o suru will mark you as a learner, so stick to the standard yokobai da or yokobai de suii suru patterns.

To truly master 横ばい (yokobai), you must distinguish it from its synonyms and related terms. Japanese has a rich vocabulary for describing change (or the lack thereof), and choosing the right word depends on the context and the 'feeling' you want to convey. Yokobai is the most common for trends, but here are some alternatives you will encounter.

平行 (Heikou): Means 'parallel.' It is used for two lines moving in the same direction, or for a situation that is 'parallel' to another. It doesn't necessarily mean 'flat' relative to the ground/axis, just consistent with something else.
停滞 (Teitai): Means 'stagnation' or 'congestion.' This has a strong negative nuance. If traffic is teitai, it's a jam. If the economy is teitai, it's a problem. Yokobai is much more neutral.
不変 (Fuhen): Means 'unchanging' or 'immutable.' This is more philosophical or scientific. 'The laws of nature are fuhen.' You wouldn't use yokobai for gravity.
安定 (Antei): Means 'stability.' This is the positive version of yokobai. If a patient is antei, it's good news. If the market is antei, investors are happy.

景気は横ばいだが、雇用情勢は停滞している。(The economy is flat, but the employment situation is stagnating.)

In English, we often use the word 'plateau.' In Japanese, you can use 踊り場 (odoriba) for this. An odoriba is literally the landing on a staircase. In economics, it refers to a temporary pause (a 'flat' period) in an otherwise upward or downward trend. While yokobai describes the flat line itself, odoriba describes the context of that flatness within a larger movement. Knowing when to use yokobai vs. odoriba will make your Japanese sound very sophisticated.

変化がないことを「横ばい」と言いますが、良い意味では「安定」と言います。(We call a lack of change 'yokobai', but in a positive sense, we call it 'stability'.)

Finally, for very casual situations, you might just say 変わらない (kawaranai). But if you are in a professional setting or speaking to an adult, yokobai is the much better choice. It shows you have a command of 'kango' (Sino-Japanese words) and can describe data accurately.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The word is a 'giseigo' (mimetic) derived noun. It originally described the physical action of a crab before it was adopted by economists to describe charts.

Pronunciation Guide

UK yo-ko-ba-i

US yo-ko-ba-i

The pitch accent is typically 'Atamadaka' (Type 1) or 'Heiban' (Type 0) depending on the regional dialect, but usually, it is heard with a slight drop after 'yo'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

The kanji is simple, but the usage in complex sentences can be tricky.

Writing 3/5

Easy to write if you know 'yoko' and 'bai' (hiragana is common).

Speaking 4/5

Requires understanding of business collocations to sound natural.

Listening 3/5

Very common in news; easy to identify once you know the word.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

横 (Yoko) 這う (Hau) 変化 (Henka) 同じ (Onaji) グラフ (Graph)

Learn Next

推移 (Suii) 上昇 (Joushou) 下落 (Geraku) 停滞 (Teitai) 安定 (Antei)

Advanced

踊り場 (Odoriba) 足踏み (Ashibumi) 膠着 (Kouchaku) 底這い (Sokobai) 均衡 (Kinkou)

Grammar to Know

Noun + で + Verb (Method/State)

横ばいで推移する。

Noun + に + なる/転じる (Change of State)

上昇から横ばいになった。

Noun + の + Noun (Modifier)

横ばいの状態。

Noun + に + とどまる (Limitation)

成長は横ばいにとどまった。

Noun + を + 続ける (Continuation)

横ばいを続けている。

Examples by Level

テストの点は横ばいです。

My test scores are flat (the same).

Simple [Noun] + desu structure.

りんごの値段は横ばいです。

The price of apples is flat.

Subject + は + 横ばい + です。

体重は横ばいですね。

Your weight is flat (hasn't changed), isn't it?

Using the particle 'ne' for confirmation.

気温は今日も横ばいだ。

The temperature is flat again today.

Informal 'da' ending.

売り上げは横ばいです。

Sales are flat.

Common business noun used with yokobai.

成績は横ばいでした。

The grades were flat.

Past tense 'deshita'.

貯金は横ばいです。

My savings are flat.

Describing a state of no growth.

ずっと横ばいです。

It's been flat for a long time.

Using 'zutto' to emphasize duration.

ここ数日、気温は横ばい状態です。

For the past few days, the temperature has been in a flat state.

Adding 'joutai' (state) after 'yokobai'.

ガソリンの価格は横ばいだそうです。

I heard that gas prices are flat.

Using 'sou desu' for hearsay.

彼の成績は横ばいで、あまり変わりません。

His grades are flat and don't change much.

Combining two clauses with 'de' and 'amari...nai'.

輸出はほぼ横ばいと言えるでしょう。

We can probably say that exports are almost flat.

Using 'hobo' (almost) and 'to ieru deshou' (can probably say).

人口は横ばい傾向にあります。

The population is on a flat trend.

Using 'keikou ni aru' (is on a trend).

株価は横ばいで終わりました。

The stock price ended flat.

Using 'de owaru' (ended in a state of...).

給料は１０年間、横ばいです。

My salary has been flat for 10 years.

Duration + yokobai.

来月の売り上げも横ばいだろう。

Next month's sales will probably be flat too.

Using 'darou' for conjecture.

景気は回復せず、横ばいで推移している。

The economy hasn't recovered and is transitioning in a flat manner.

Using 'suii shite iru' for a professional description of a trend.

患者の容体は、昨夜から横ばいです。

The patient's condition has been stable (flat) since last night.

Context: Medical stability.

支持率は横ばいだが、不支持率が上がっている。

The approval rating is flat, but the disapproval rating is rising.

Using 'daga' to contrast two trends.

新製品の需要は、発売以来ずっと横ばいだ。

Demand for the new product has been flat ever since it was released.

Using 'irai' (since) and 'zutto' (consistently).

物価の上昇が止まり、横ばいになった。

The rise in prices stopped and became flat.

Using 'ni naru' to show a change in the trend.

この地域の地価は、ここ数年横ばい圏内だ。

Land prices in this area have been within a flat range for the past few years.

Using 'kennai' (within range).

生産量は前月比でほぼ横ばいだった。

Production volume was almost flat compared to the previous month.

Using 'zengetsu-hi' (compared to previous month).

市場の反応は今のところ横ばいです。

The market reaction is flat for the time being.

Using 'ima no tokoro' (for now).

実質賃金は長期的には横ばい状態が続いている。

Real wages have continued to be in a flat state in the long term.

Using 'choukiteki ni wa' (in the long term).

景気後退の後、経済は横ばい圏で足踏みしている。

After the recession, the economy is treading water (stalling) in a flat range.

Using 'ashibumi shite iru' (treading water/stalling).

輸入額は、為替の影響で横ばいにとどまった。

The import value remained flat due to the influence of exchange rates.

Using 'ni todomaru' (to remain at/be limited to).

出生率は、わずかな変動はあるものの、ほぼ横ばいだ。

The birth rate is almost flat, although there are slight fluctuations.

Using 'aru mono no' (although there is...).

企業の設備投資は、不透明な先行きを反映して横ばいだ。

Corporate capital investment is flat, reflecting the uncertain future.

Using 'o han'ei shite' (reflecting...).

消費支出は、増税後も横ばいで推移した。

Consumer spending transitioned flatly even after the tax increase.

Using 'go mo' (even after).

株価は朝方の下落から戻し、午後は横ばいとなった。

The stock price recovered from the morning drop and became flat in the afternoon.

Describing a sequence of market movements.

売上高は横ばいだが、経費削減により利益は確保した。

Sales are flat, but profit was secured through cost-cutting.

Using 'ni yori' (due to/by means of).

日本経済は、構造的な問題を抱え、長らく横ばいを脱せずにいる。

The Japanese economy, burdened with structural issues, has long been unable to break out of its flat state.

Using 'o dasezu ni iru' (unable to break out of).

世界的な需要の減退により、輸出量は横ばい圏内での推移を余儀なくされている。

Due to the global decline in demand, export volumes are being forced to transition within a flat range.

Using 'o yoginaku sarete iru' (being forced to...).

同社の市場シェアは、競合他社の台頭により横ばいに転じた。

The company's market share turned flat due to the rise of competitors.

Using 'ni tenjiru' (to turn into/shift to).

労働生産性は、IT化の進展にもかかわらず、依然として横ばいだ。

Labor productivity remains flat, despite the progress of digitalization.

Using 'ni mo kakawarazu' (despite) and 'izen to shite' (still/as before).

世論調査の結果、内閣支持率は横ばい、不支持率は微増という結果が出た。

As a result of the poll, the cabinet approval rating was flat, while the disapproval rating showed a slight increase.

Using 'bizou' (slight increase) to contrast with 'yokobai'.

地価の変動率は、都市部を除けば全国的に横ばいと言ってよい。

It can be said that the rate of change in land prices is flat nationwide, excluding urban areas.

Using 'o ozokeba' (excluding) and 'to itte yoi' (it's safe to say).

原材料費の高騰により、製品価格を横ばいに据え置くことは困難だ。

Due to the soaring cost of raw materials, it is difficult to keep product prices flat (unchanged).

Using 'ni sueoku' (to keep at/leave as is).

景気は「踊り場」にあり、当面は横ばいの推移が見込まれる。

The economy is at a 'plateau,' and a flat transition is expected for the time being.

Using 'odoriba' and 'mikomareru' (is expected).

マクロ経済学の視点から見れば、現在の横ばい状態はデフレ脱却の遅れを象徴している。

From a macroeconomic perspective, the current flat state symbolizes the delay in escaping deflation.

Using 'no shiten kara mireba' (from the perspective of).

実質GDP成長率が横ばいで推移する中、政府は抜本的な構造改革を迫られている。

While the real GDP growth rate transitions flatly, the government is being pressured to implement drastic structural reforms.

Using 'naka' (amidst/while) and 'o semararete iru' (being pressured to).

当該疾患の生存率は、近年の医療技術の進歩によって横ばいから上昇に転じつつある。

The survival rate for the disease in question is starting to turn from flat to rising due to recent advances in medical technology.

Using 'tsutsu aru' (is in the process of).

長期金利は、中央銀行の政策介入により、極めて狭い範囲での横ばいを続けている。

Long-term interest rates continue to be flat within an extremely narrow range due to central bank policy intervention.

Using 'kiwamete' (extremely) and 'kainyuu' (intervention).

消費者の購買意欲は、将来への不安感から横ばい圏内での膠着状態に陥っている。

Consumer purchasing intent has fallen into a state of deadlock within a flat range due to anxiety about the future.

Using 'kouchaku joutai ni ochitte iru' (fallen into a deadlock).

統計上の誤差を考慮すれば、今回の調査結果は実質的に横ばいと見なすべきだろう。

Considering the statistical margin of error, this survey result should practically be regarded as flat.

Using 'o kouryo sureba' (considering) and 'to minasubeki' (should be regarded as).

所得格差の拡大が続く一方で、平均所得自体は四半世紀にわたって横ばいを辿っている。

While the income gap continues to widen, average income itself has followed a flat path for a quarter-century.

Using 'ippou de' (while/on the other hand) and 'o tadoru' (to follow a path).

エネルギー価格の変動を捨象すれば、消費者物価指数は基調としては横ばいである。

If we abstract away the fluctuations in energy prices, the consumer price index is essentially flat as a trend.

Using 'o shashou sureba' (if we abstract away/set aside).

Synonyms

平行線不変停滞安定一定

Antonyms

変動増減

Common Collocations

横ばいで推移する

ほぼ横ばい

横ばい状態

横ばい傾向

横ばい圏内

横ばいに転じる

横ばいを続ける

横ばいにとどまる

横ばいに据え置く

横ばいを見込む

Common Phrases

横ばいですね

— It's flat, isn't it? Used to confirm a lack of change.

「体重はどう？」「横ばいですね。」

ずっと横ばい

— Flat for a long time. Emphasizes duration.

給料はずっと横ばいだ。

結局、横ばい

— In the end, it was flat. Used after some movement occurred.

色々あったが、結局、横ばいだった。

ほぼ横ばい

— Practically unchanged. Used when small changes don't matter.

結果はほぼ横ばいだった。

横ばいから上昇へ

— From flat to rising. Describes a positive change.

横ばいから上昇へ転じる兆しがある。

横ばいから下落へ

— From flat to falling. Describes a negative change.

景気は横ばいから下落へ向かっている。

横ばいの一途をたどる

— To continue to be flat without change. Often used for trends.

人口は横ばいの一途をたどっている。

横ばいで安定する

— To stabilize at a flat level.

血圧が横ばいで安定してきた。

横ばいを維持する

— To maintain a flat level.

生産効率を横ばいに維持する。

横ばいのまま

— Remaining flat. Emphasizes the lack of change.

状況は横ばいのままだ。

Often Confused With

横ばい vs 平ら (Taira)

Taira is for physical flatness (like a floor); Yokobai is for trends.

横ばい vs 平行 (Heikou)

Heikou means parallel; Yokobai means horizontal/flat.

横ばい vs 停滞 (Teitai)

Teitai is negative stagnation; Yokobai is neutral flatness.

Idioms & Expressions

"横ばいになる"

— To become flat. Used when a trend levels off.

成長率が横ばいになった。

Neutral

"横ばいを這う"

— To 'crawl' flat. A more descriptive way to say things are staying low and flat.

景気は底を横ばいに這っている。

Descriptive

"横ばい状態を脱する"

— To break out of a flat state. Used when things start moving again.

ようやく横ばい状態を脱した。

Formal

"横ばい圏を抜ける"

— To exit the flat range. Used in trading and finance.

株価が横ばい圏を抜けた。

Financial

"横ばい推移"

— A flat transition. A noun phrase describing the movement.

横ばい推移が予想される。

Formal

"横ばい止まり"

— Stopping at a flat level. Implies it failed to rise further.

回復は横ばい止まりだった。

Neutral

"横ばいに甘んじる"

— To be resigned to a flat state. Implies wanting more but not getting it.

現状の横ばいに甘んじてはいけない。

Literary

"横ばいを余儀なくされる"

— To be forced into a flat state.

輸出は横ばいを余儀なくされた。

Formal

"横ばい傾向が強まる"

— The flat trend is strengthening.

市場の横ばい傾向が強まっている。

Analytical

"横ばいに据え置かれる"

— To be kept at a flat level (passive).

予算は横ばいに据え置かれた。

Formal

Easily Confused

横ばい vs 踊り場 (Odoriba)

Both describe a lack of movement.

Odoriba is a temporary pause in a larger trend (like a landing on stairs). Yokobai describes the flat line itself without necessarily implying it will move again soon.

景気は踊り場にある。(The economy is in a temporary plateau.)

横ばい vs 足踏み (Ashibumi)

Both mean 'no progress.'

Ashibumi implies 'stepping in place,' suggesting effort is being made but no ground is gained. Yokobai is a more objective, statistical observation of a trend.

交渉は足踏み状態だ。(Negotiations are stalling/stepping in place.)

横ばい vs 安定 (Antei)

Both mean 'steady.'

Antei is a positive value judgment (stability). Yokobai is a neutral description of the data's shape.

物価が安定している。(Prices are stable [a good thing].)

横ばい vs 不変 (Fuhen)

Both mean 'unchanging.'

Fuhen is used for eternal truths or fixed laws. Yokobai is used for data that happens to be flat right now.

その法則は不変だ。(That law is immutable.)

横ばい vs 持合い (Mochiai)

Both are used in the stock market.

Mochiai specifically refers to a market where buying and selling are balanced, causing the price to stay flat. Yokobai is the general term for the flat result.

市場は持合いの展開だ。(The market is in a balanced/sideways state.)

Sentence Patterns

[Noun] は横ばいです。

体重は横ばいです。

[Noun] は横ばい傾向にあります。

物価は横ばい傾向にあります。

[Noun] は [Time] から横ばいです。

容体は昨夜から横ばいです。

[Noun] は横ばいで推移しています。

景気は横ばいで推移しています。

[Noun] は横ばい圏内での動きとなっています。

株価は横ばい圏内での動きとなっています。

[Noun] は [Reason] により、横ばいを余儀なくされている。

輸出は需要減により、横ばいを余儀なくされている。

[Noun] はほぼ横ばいと言える。

結果はほぼ横ばいと言える。

上昇から横ばいに転じる。

売上は上昇から横ばいに転じた。

Word Family

Nouns

横 (Yoko - side)

這い (Hai - crawling)

Verbs

這う (Hau - to crawl)

横向き (Yokomuki - sideways)

這いつくばる (Haitsukubaru - to grovel/crawl)

右肩上がり (Migikata agari - rising)

右肩下がり (Migikata sagari - falling)

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in news, business, and medical contexts.

Common Mistakes

Using 'yokobai' for a flat floor. → Kono yuka wa taira desu.
'Yokobai' is for trends and data, not physical surfaces. Use 'taira' for physical flatness.
Saying 'yokobai o suru'. → Yokobai de suii suru.
'Yokobai' is a noun and doesn't naturally take 'suru'. Use 'suii suru' (to transition) instead.
Using 'yokobai' for a person lying down. → Yoko ni natte iru.
While 'yoko' means side, 'yokobai' is a technical term for trends. Use 'yoko ni naru' for lying down.
Confusing 'yokobai' with 'teitai' in a positive context. → Youdai wa yokobai desu (The condition is stable).
'Teitai' is always negative (stagnant). If a patient is stable, 'yokobai' is a better, more neutral choice.
Thinking 'yokobai' means 'moving slowly'. → Yukkuri ugoite iru.
'Yokobai' means staying at the same level, regardless of how fast time is passing or how fast the data is being collected.

Tips

Think of the Graph

Whenever you see a horizontal line on a graph, say 'yokobai' in your head. This links the visual data to the Japanese word.

Remember the Crab

The 'yoko' means side and 'bai' comes from 'crawl'. A crab crawling sideways is the perfect image for a flat trend line.

Learn the Pair

Always learn 'yokobai' with 'suii suru'. This pair is used in almost every economic news report in Japan.

Medical Use

In medical dramas or at a clinic, 'yokobai' means 'stable'. It's a useful word to know if you're ever in a Japanese hospital.

Compare with Antei

Remember that 'Antei' (stability) is a feeling, while 'Yokobai' (flat) is a shape. Use 'Antei' for good news and 'Yokobai' for neutral data.

Neutrality

Don't assume 'yokobai' is bad. It just means 'no change'. Context will tell you if that's good or bad.

Kanji vs Hiragana

The word is almost always written as '横ばい'. You rarely see the 'bai' part in kanji in modern Japanese.

Noun Status

Treat it as a noun. You can say 'Yokobai no data' (flat data) or 'Yokobai da' (it is flat).

NHK News

Listen to the 7 PM NHK news. You will hear this word during the economic segment. It's great practice!

No Physical Objects

Never use 'yokobai' for a flat table or a flat tire. That is the quickest way to sound like a beginner!

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a crab on a beach. It crawls 'Yoko' (sideways). A crab doesn't climb up or down; it stays on the same 'flat' level of the sand.

Visual Association

Imagine a heart rate monitor in a hospital. When the patient is stable, the line is 'yokobai'.

Word Web

Graph Flat Crab Economy Stability Stagnation Sideways Trend

Challenge

Try to find three different news articles today that use 'yokobai' and determine if the meaning is positive, negative, or neutral.

Word Origin

Compound of 'yoko' (side) and 'bai' (the continuative form of 'hau', to crawl).

Original meaning: A crab crawling sideways.

Japonic

Cultural Context

Generally safe to use in all contexts. Not offensive.

English speakers often use 'flatlined' (negative) or 'plateaued' (neutral/negative). 'Yokobai' is more versatile and neutral.

NHK Economic Reports Nikkei Index summaries Medical dramas like 'Doctor X'

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Business Reporting

売上高は横ばい
利益は横ばい
横ばい推移
ほぼ横ばい

Medical Updates

容体は横ばい
血圧は横ばい
症状は横ばい
横ばいで安定

Stock Market

株価は横ばい
横ばい圏内
横ばいに転じる
持ち合い

Personal Health/Fitness

体重が横ばい
体脂肪が横ばい
記録が横ばい
ずっと横ばい

Political Polls

支持率は横ばい
人気は横ばい
横ばいを維持
横ばい傾向

Conversation Starters

"最近の物価についてどう思いますか？横ばいだと思いますか？"

"仕事の状況はどうですか？忙しくなりましたか、それとも横ばいですか？"

"日本語の勉強の進み具合はどうですか？横ばい状態になっていませんか？"

"あなたの国の経済は今、上昇していますか、それとも横ばいですか？"

"健康診断の結果はどうでしたか？数値は横ばいでしたか？"

Journal Prompts

自分の日本語の能力が「横ばい」だと感じたことはありますか？その時どうしましたか？

最近、自分の生活で「横ばい」であってほしいと思うことは何ですか？（例：体重、支出など）

「横ばい」は安定だと思いますか、それとも停滞だと思いますか？あなたの考えを書いてください。

過去一年の自分の成長を振り返って、どの時期が「横ばい」だったか分析してください。

将来、日本の経済が「横ばい」から脱却するために何が必要だと思いますか？

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, it is a neutral word. In a medical context, if a patient's condition is 'yokobai,' it means they aren't getting worse, which can be good. In business, it usually means 'no growth,' which might be seen as negative if growth was expected.

No. For a flat floor or table, use 'taira' (平ら). 'Yokobai' is only for trends, numbers, or situations over time.

It is a standard word used in news and business, so it is appropriate for formal settings. However, it can also be used in casual conversation among adults.

'Kawaranai' is a general verb meaning 'doesn't change.' 'Yokobai' is a more specific noun used to describe the *trend* or *graph line* of data. 'Yokobai' sounds more professional.

You can say 'Uriage wa yokobai desu' or 'Uriage wa yokobai de suii shite imasu'.

Only if you are describing their stats (like weight or test scores). You cannot use it to describe someone's physical posture (like lying down).

It means 'almost flat.' It is used when there are very tiny changes that don't change the overall steady trend.

Yes, '横ばい'. The 'yoko' part is '横' (side), and 'bai' is usually written in hiragana, though it comes from the verb 'hau' (這う).

It is not common. Instead, use 'yokobai ni naru' (become flat) or 'yokobai de suii suru' (transition flatly).

The opposites are 'joushou' (rising) or 'geraku' (falling). If you want to say something is changing a lot, you can use 'hendou' (fluctuation).