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A1 noun #2,910 most common 8 min read

低迷

teimei
Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 低迷 in 30 Seconds
Explanation 低迷 in your Level:
At the A1 level, '低迷' (teimei) is a very difficult word because it is usually used in news and business. However, you can think of it simply as 'not good for a long time.' Imagine you are playing a game, and your score is always 0 or 1, and it doesn't go up. That state is 'teimei.' In Japanese, we use it for big things like 'the economy' (money in the country) or 'a sports team.' You can remember it as 'low' (tei) and 'lost' (mei). If a team is 'teimei,' they are lost at a low level. Even though it's an advanced word, knowing it helps you understand Japanese news headlines which often say 'The economy is teimei' (bad/stuck). Just remember: Teimei = Low + Stuck.
For A2 learners, you should start recognizing '低迷' in contexts like sports or school grades. If you say 'My grades are teimei,' it means they have been low for a few months, not just one test. It is a 'Suru-verb,' so you say '低迷する' (teimei-suru). It is different from 'falling' (sagaru). 'Sagaru' is the movement down. 'Teimei' is staying down. A good way to use it is with 'continues' (tsuduku). 'Teimei ga tsuduite imasu' means 'The slump is continuing.' You will see this word in simple news reports about the price of things or the popularity of a TV show. It's a formal word, so using it makes you sound very smart!
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At the B1 level, you should be able to use '低迷' in business or formal discussions. It is a key term for describing trends. For example, if you are talking about why a company is struggling, you might say 'Sales are stagnating' (売上が低迷している). Notice that we use the '~te iru' form because it describes a continuing state. You should also learn the noun form '低迷期' (teimeiki), which means 'a period of stagnation.' Many people use this to describe their own lives when things aren't going well. 'I am in a teimeiki right now' means 'I feel like I'm not making any progress.' It's a very useful word for expressing frustration with a lack of growth in a professional way.
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B2 learners should master the nuances between '低迷' and its synonyms like '停滞' (teitai) or '不振' (fushin). '低迷' is particularly used for macro-economic indicators or social phenomena. For instance, 'the low birth rate' (少子化) often leads to 'economic stagnation' (経済の低迷). You should also be comfortable using it in the passive or with complex particles. For example, '低迷を余儀なくされる' (to be forced into a slump). This level of Japanese requires you to understand that '低迷' implies a 'low ceiling'—there is a potential that is not being reached. It is often used in editorials to criticize government policy or corporate management that fails to stimulate growth.
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At the C1 level, '低迷' is a word you should use with precision in academic writing or high-level business negotiations. You should understand its metaphorical roots—the image of low-hanging clouds (暗雲低迷 - anun teimei) that obscure the future. You can use it to describe abstract concepts like 'cultural stagnation' or 'the stagnation of thought.' At this level, you should also be aware of how it pairs with formal verbs like '脱する' (dassuru - to emerge from) or '打破する' (daha-suru - to break through). You might analyze a text where '低迷' is used to describe the 'stagnation of a civilization.' It is a powerful tool for describing any system that has lost its vitality and is merely subsisting at a low level of energy.
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For C2 proficiency, '低迷' is part of a broad vocabulary used to describe complex systemic failures. You should be able to discuss the 'structural stagnation' (構造的な低迷) of an industry and distinguish it from cyclical fluctuations. You might use it in a literary sense to describe a character's 'spiritual slump' or 'creative stagnation.' At this level, you understand the subtle weight the word carries—a sense of 'malaise' or 'lethargy' that permeates a situation. You can use it in high-level debates about 'secular stagnation' in global economics. Your usage should reflect an understanding that '低迷' is not just a data point, but a description of an environment where the 'low' has become the 'norm,' and the struggle to rise above it is the central conflict.
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Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

低迷 in 30 Seconds

  • 低迷 (Teimei) means 'stagnation' or 'slump,' specifically staying at a low level for a long time.
  • It is most commonly used in business, economics, and sports to describe poor results that won't improve.
  • Grammatically, it functions as a noun or a 'suru' verb (低迷する), often paired with 'continues' (続く).
  • It differs from a 'drop' (下落) because it emphasizes the duration of being stuck, not the act of falling.

The word 低迷 (ていめい - teimei) is a sophisticated Japanese noun that describes a state of prolonged stagnation, slump, or lack of progress. At its core, it suggests that something which should be moving upward or maintaining a healthy level is instead 'hanging low' and unable to break free from a downward or flat trend. While it is most frequently encountered in economic and business contexts, its application extends to sports, personal performance, and even weather phenomena. The nuance is not just that things are 'bad,' but that they are 'stuck' in a bad state for a significant amount of time.

Economic Context
Used to describe a recession or a period where the GDP or stock market remains low without signs of recovery.
Performance Context
Used when an athlete or a team is going through a 'slump' and cannot win games or achieve good results.
Literal Context
Originally referred to thick clouds hanging low in the sky, preventing the sun from shining through.

日本経済は長い間、成長が低迷している。 (The Japanese economy has been experiencing stagnating growth for a long time.)

When we break down the kanji, 低 (tei) means 'low' and 迷 (mei) means 'to be lost' or 'to wander.' Together, they paint a picture of being lost in a low place. Unlike a sudden crash (暴落 - bouraku), 低迷 implies a slow, grinding, and frustrating lack of momentum. It is the feeling of being in a fog where you cannot see the path to improvement. In modern Japanese, it is almost always paired with the verb する (suru) to form 低迷する, meaning 'to stagnate' or 'to be in a slump.'

彼の成績は最近低迷気味だ。 (His grades/results have been showing a tendency to slump lately.)

Social Nuance
It carries a heavy, somewhat pessimistic tone. It is rarely used for minor, temporary issues.
Visual Image
Imagine a dark cloud sitting over a city that won't blow away. That is the essence of 'Teimei'.

支持率が低迷し、政権は危機に瀕している。 (With approval ratings stagnating, the administration is on the brink of a crisis.)

Using 低迷 correctly requires understanding its grammatical flexibility and its specific collocations. Primarily, it functions as a Suru-verb (低迷する) or a standalone noun. It is most effective when describing macro-level trends or long-term personal struggles. You wouldn't use it if you missed one shot in a basketball game, but you would use it if you haven't scored a point in five games. It is a word of duration and persistence.

Grammar Pattern 1: [Subject] + が + 低迷する
The most common way to say something is stagnating. Example: 景気が低迷する (The economy stagnates).
Grammar Pattern 2: [Noun] + の + 低迷
Using it as a noun to describe a state. Example: 出生率の低迷 (The slump in birth rates).

新製品の売れ行きが低迷しているため、戦略を見直す必要がある。 (Since the sales of the new product are stagnating, we need to review our strategy.)

One key aspect of using 低迷 is its association with 'levels' (水準). It describes a situation where the 'level' remains 'low'. Therefore, it is often paired with words like 続く (tsuduku - to continue) or 陥る (ochiiru - to fall into). For instance, 低迷が続く (stagnation continues) is a very common set phrase in news media. It suggests a sense of helplessness or a difficult-to-escape cycle.

チームは長い低迷期を脱し、ついに優勝した。 (The team emerged from a long period of stagnation and finally won the championship.)

Common Subjects
Economy (景気), Sales (売上), Consumption (消費), Approval Ratings (支持率), Results (成績).
Common Verbs
続く (continue), 脱する (escape/emerge), 抜ける (get out of), 続く (continue).

株価は1万円台で低迷を続けている。 (The stock price continues to languish in the 10,000 yen range.)

You will encounter 低迷 in specific environments where data, performance, and trends are analyzed. It is a staple of the Japanese news cycle, particularly during the 'Economic News' segments. If you open a Japanese newspaper like the Nikkei (Japan Economics Newspaper), you will likely see this word on the front page at least once a week. It provides a concise way to describe a lack of growth without necessarily implying a total collapse.

Television News (報道)
News anchors use it to discuss political approval ratings or the state of the global market.
Business Meetings (会議)
Managers use it to describe why targets aren't being met or why a certain region's sales are flat.

「現在の市場の低迷は、消費税増税の影響が大きいです。」 (The current market stagnation is largely due to the impact of the consumption tax hike.)

In the world of sports, commentators use 低迷 to describe a once-great team that is now struggling. For example, if a famous baseball team like the Giants is at the bottom of the league for several seasons, the media will talk about their 'long-term stagnation' (長期低迷). It carries a sense of disappointment—that the current reality is much lower than the expected potential. It is also used in weather forecasts, though less commonly now, to describe low-hanging clouds or fog that won't lift.

視聴率の低迷により、その番組は打ち切りになった。 (Due to stagnating viewership ratings, the program was cancelled.)

Academic Lectures
Sociologists use it to discuss 'social stagnation' or the 'stagnation of birth rates' (少子化による低迷).
Financial Reports
Annual reports (有価証券報告書) use this term to explain poor fiscal performance to shareholders.

欧州市場での販売が低迷しており、通期の利益予想を下方修正した。 (Sales in the European market are stagnating, so we have revised our full-year profit forecast downward.)

While 低迷 is a powerful word, learners often confuse it with other terms that describe 'bad situations.' The most common mistake is using it for a sudden drop. 低迷 is about the duration of the low state, not the act of falling. If a stock price drops 50% in one day, that is 急落 (kyuuraku). If it stays at that low price for three years, that is 低迷.

Mistake 1: Confusing with 'Decrease' (減少)
減少 (genshou) is a simple reduction in number. 低迷 is the state of being stuck at a low level. You can have a 'decrease' that leads to 'stagnation'.
Mistake 2: Using it for Personal Moods
While you can use it for personal 'results' (成績), you don't usually say 'My mood is teimei.' For mood, use '落ち込む' (ochikomu) or '憂鬱' (yuuutsu).

❌ 昨日は気分が低迷していた。 (Incorrect: My mood was stagnating yesterday.)
✅ 昨日は気分が落ち込んでいた。 (Correct: I was feeling down yesterday.)

Another common error is the misuse of particles. Because 低迷 is a state, it is often used with 'が' (subject) or 'を' (object of an action like '脱する'). Learners sometimes use 'に' incorrectly. You 'fall into' a slump (低迷に陥る), but the slump itself 'continues' (低迷が続く). Also, ensure you don't confuse it with 停滞 (teitai). While similar, 停滞 means 'stopping' or 'clogging' (like traffic), whereas 低迷 specifically emphasizes the 'low level' of the state.

❌ この小さな村の人口は低迷している。 (Awkward: The population of this small village is stagnating - unless it was once much higher.)
✅ この村の人口は減少している。 (Better: The population of this village is decreasing.)

Confusion with 'Fushin' (不振)
不振 (fushin) means 'poor performance'. It is very close to 低迷, but 低迷 sounds more like a long-term environmental or systemic issue.
Confusion with 'Suaitai' (衰退)
衰退 (suitai) means 'decline/decay'. This implies something is dying out, whereas 低迷 just means it's not growing.

❌ 会社が低迷して倒産した。 (Slightly off: The company stagnated and went bankrupt.)
✅ 業績が低迷し、最終的に倒産した。 (Better: Business performance stagnated, and eventually it went bankrupt.)

To truly master 低迷, you must understand its synonyms and how they differ in nuance. Japanese has many words for 'stagnation' or 'poor performance,' and choosing the right one depends on whether you are talking about a physical blockage, a lack of effort, or a systemic economic issue. 低迷 is the most 'atmospheric' and 'macro' of these terms.

停滞 (Teitai)
Focuses on 'stopping' or 'not moving.' Used for traffic (交通停滞) or work progress. It doesn't necessarily mean the level is 'low,' just that it isn't moving forward.
不振 (Fushin)
Specifically means 'not doing well.' Often used for athletes (食欲不振 - loss of appetite, 業績不振 - poor business results). It implies a failure to meet expectations.

仕事が停滞していて、なかなか終わらない。 (The work is stalled and just won't finish.) vs. 景気が低迷していて、給料が上がらない。 (The economy is stagnating, and wages aren't rising.)

Another related word is どん底 (Donzoko), which means 'the very bottom.' While 低迷 is being stuck at a low level, どん底 is the absolute lowest point. You might say a team is 'teimei' for years, but they only hit 'donzoko' when they lose every single game. There is also 足踏み (Ashibumi), which literally means 'stepping in place.' This is used for a temporary pause in growth, whereas 低迷 feels more permanent or long-lasting.

輸出が伸び悩み、経済が低迷している。 (Exports are struggling to grow, and the economy is stagnating.)

伸び悩み (Nobinayami)
Literally 'growth-worry.' Used when something was growing but has now hit a plateau.
衰退 (Suitai)
Decline. This is more serious than stagnation; it implies the subject is shrinking or losing its power entirely.

伝統産業の衰退は、地方経済の低迷を招いた。 (The decline of traditional industries led to the stagnation of local economies.)

How Formal Is It?

Difficulty Rating

Grammar to Know

～ぎみ (tendency)

～に伴って (along with)

～を背景に (against the backdrop of)

～を余儀なくされる (to be forced to)

～つつある (in the process of)

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Examples by Level

1

景気が低迷しています。

The economy is stagnating.

低迷 (noun) + しています (is doing).

2

チームの成績が低迷している。

The team's results are in a slump.

成績 (results) is the subject.

3

売上が低迷しています。

Sales are low and not growing.

売上 (sales) is a common partner for this word.

4

支持率が低迷した。

The approval rating slumped.

Past tense of 低迷する.

5

長い低迷が続いている。

A long stagnation is continuing.

低迷 is used as a noun here.

6

人気が低迷している。

Popularity is stagnating.

人気 (popularity) is the subject.

7

株価が低迷した。

Stock prices slumped.

株価 (stock price) is the subject.

8

低迷から抜け出したい。

I want to get out of this slump.

抜け出す (to get out) is a common verb to use with 低迷.

1

最近、彼の成績は低迷ぎみだ。

Lately, his grades have been tending to slump.

ぎみ (gimi) means 'tending towards' or 'a touch of'.

2

景気の低迷で、仕事が見つからない。

Because of the economic stagnation, I can't find a job.

で (de) indicates the reason/cause.

3

この店は客足が低迷している。

The number of customers at this shop is stagnating.

客足 (kyaku-ashi) refers to the flow of customers.

4

低迷する市場をどうにかしたい。

I want to do something about the stagnating market.

低迷する is used as an adjective to describe 'market'.

5

視聴率が低迷し、番組が終わった。

The ratings slumped, and the show ended.

し (shi) is the connective form of する.

6

彼は長い低迷期を経験した。

He experienced a long period of stagnation.

低迷期 (teimeiki) means 'stagnation period'.

7

輸出が低迷している理由は何か。

What is the reason that exports are stagnating?

理由 (riyuu) means 'reason'.

8

物価が上がっても、給料は低迷したままだ。

Even if prices go up, salaries remain stagnated.

まま (mama) means 'remaining in that state'.

1

新製品の売れ行きが低迷しているため、対策を練る必要がある。

Since the sales of the new product are stagnating, we need to devise a plan.

ため (tame) indicates 'because'.

2

不動産市場の低迷が、経済全体に悪影響を与えている。

The stagnation of the real estate market is having a negative impact on the whole economy.

悪影響を与える (akueikyou o ataeru) means 'to have a bad influence'.

3

若者の投票率が低迷していることが問題視されている。

The fact that the voter turnout among young people is stagnating is being seen as a problem.

問題視される (mondaishi sareru) means 'to be viewed as a problem'.

4

長引く低迷から脱却するために、新しいリーダーが必要だ。

To break away from the prolonged stagnation, a new leader is necessary.

脱却する (dakkyaku suru) means 'to break out of' or 'to rid oneself of'.

5

消費者の購買意欲が低迷しており、景気回復の兆しが見えない。

Consumer willingness to buy is stagnating, and there are no signs of economic recovery.

兆し (kizashi) means 'signs' or 'omens'.

6

その歌手は数年間の低迷を経て、再びヒット曲を出した。

After several years of stagnation, that singer released a hit song again.

を経て (o hete) means 'through' or 'after passing through'.

7

世界的な経済低迷の中で、我々はどう生き残るべきか。

In the midst of a global economic stagnation, how should we survive?

の中で (no naka de) means 'in' or 'amidst'.

8

業績が低迷している部門の閉鎖が検討されている。

The closure of departments whose business performance is stagnating is being considered.

検討されている (kentou sarete iru) means 'is being considered'.

1

デフレ脱却を目指しているが、依然として個人消費は低迷している。

We are aiming to escape deflation, but individual consumption still remains stagnated.

依然として (izen to shite) means 'still' or 'as before'.

2

政権への支持率が過去最低水準で低迷を続けている。

The approval rating for the administration continues to languish at record-low levels.

水準 (suijun) means 'level' or 'standard'.

3

主力商品のシェアが低迷し、競合他社に差をつけられた。

The market share of the main product stagnated, and competitors pulled ahead.

差をつけられる (sa o tsukerareru) means 'to be outdistanced'.

4

地方都市の経済低迷は、人口流出をさらに加速させている。

The economic stagnation of regional cities is further accelerating the outflow of population.

加速させる (kasoku saseru) means 'to accelerate'.

5

長年の低迷を打破すべく、会社は大規模な構造改革に踏み切った。

In order to break through years of stagnation, the company embarked on large-scale structural reforms.

～すべく (subeku) means 'in order to'.

6

文化的な低迷が指摘される中、若手芸術家たちの活動が注目されている。

Amidst pointed-out cultural stagnation, the activities of young artists are drawing attention.

指摘される (shiteki sareru) means 'to be pointed out'.

7

雇用情勢の低迷により、将来への不安を感じる人が増えている。

Due to the stagnation of the employment situation, the number of people feeling anxious about the future is increasing.

情勢 (jousei) means 'situation' or 'state of affairs'.

8

技術革新の停滞が、産業全体の低迷を招いているとの分析がある。

There is an analysis that the stagnation of technological innovation is leading to the slump of the entire industry.

～との分析がある (to no bunseki ga aru) means 'there is an analysis that...'.

1

構造的な要因による経済の低迷は、一過性の対策では解決できない。

Economic stagnation caused by structural factors cannot be solved by transitory measures.

一過性 (ikkasei) means 'transitory' or 'temporary'.

2

かつての黄金時代を知るファンにとって、現在のチームの低迷は見るに堪えない。

For fans who know the former golden age, the current stagnation of the team is unbearable to watch.

見るに堪えない (miru ni taenai) means 'unbearable to look at'.

3

少子高齢化に伴う労働力不足が、潜在成長率の低迷を強いている。

The labor shortage accompanying the declining birthrate and aging population is forcing a slump in the potential growth rate.

強いている (shiite iru) means 'forcing' or 'compelling'.

4

暗雲低迷する政局の中で、国民の政治不信は募るばかりだ。

In the midst of a political situation where dark clouds hang low, public distrust of politics only continues to grow.

暗雲低迷 (anun teimei) is a four-character idiom meaning dark clouds hanging low.

5

市場の低迷を背景に、企業の合併・買収が活発化している。

Against the backdrop of market stagnation, corporate mergers and acquisitions are becoming more active.

～を背景に (o haikei ni) means 'against the backdrop of'.

6

長引くデフレと内需の低迷が、日本経済の足かせとなっている。

Prolonged deflation and the stagnation of domestic demand are acting as a shackle on the Japanese economy.

足かせ (ashikase) means 'shackles' or 'fetters'.

7

創作活動における低迷期をどう乗り越えるかは、芸術家にとって永遠の課題だ。

How to overcome a period of stagnation in creative activities is an eternal challenge for artists.

永遠の課題 (eien no kadai) means 'eternal challenge/issue'.

8

資源価格の下落が、資源輸出国の経済を低迷させている。

The fall in resource prices is causing the economies of resource-exporting countries to stagnate.

低迷させている is the causative form (making it stagnate).

1

マクロ経済学の視点から見れば、現在の低迷は流動性の罠に陥った結果と言える。

From a macroeconomic perspective, the current stagnation can be said to be the result of falling into a liquidity trap.

流動性の罠 (ryuudousei no wana) is 'liquidity trap'.

2

精神的な低迷が肉体的な不調を招き、さらなる悪循環を生んでいる。

Mental stagnation leads to physical ailments, creating a further vicious cycle.

悪循環 (akujunkan) means 'vicious cycle'.

3

かつての帝国も、内部腐敗と経済的低迷によってその歴史に幕を閉じた。

The former empire also brought its history to a close due to internal corruption and economic stagnation.

幕を閉じる (maku o tojiru) means 'to bring to an end' (literally: close the curtain).

4

イノベーションのジレンマが、既存企業の業績低迷を招く皮肉な結果となった。

The innovator's dilemma resulted in the ironic outcome of causing the business performance of existing companies to stagnate.

皮肉な (hiniku na) means 'ironic'.

5

言論の自由が制限される社会では、知的な低迷は避けられない。

In a society where freedom of speech is restricted, intellectual stagnation is inevitable.

避けられない (sakerarenai) means 'unavoidable'.

6

グローバル化の進展が、一部の先進国における中間層の所得低迷を引き起こした。

The progress of globalization caused the stagnation of middle-class incomes in some developed countries.

所得 (shotoku) means 'income'.

7

長期低迷を脱するための抜本的な外科手術が必要な時期に来ている。

We have reached a time when radical 'surgery' (drastic measures) is needed to escape long-term stagnation.

抜本的な (bapponteki na) means 'drastic' or 'radical'.

8

都市開発の失敗が、その地域の地価低迷を決定づけた。

The failure of urban development determined the stagnation of land prices in that area.

決定づけた (ketteiduketa) means 'determined' or 'finalized'.

Synonyms

不振 停滞 沈滞 落ち込み 不況

Common Collocations

景気が低迷する (Economy stagnates)
売上が低迷する (Sales stagnate)
支持率が低迷する (Approval ratings slump)
低迷を脱する (To emerge from a slump)
低迷が続く (Stagnation continues)
低迷期に入る (To enter a period of stagnation)
長期低迷 (Long-term stagnation)
低迷に陥る (To fall into a slump)
業績低迷 (Business performance slump)
低迷を打破する (To break through stagnation)

Common Phrases

景気低迷 (Economic stagnation)
成績低迷 (Slump in results)
低迷を極める (To reach the peak of stagnation)
低迷から抜け出す (To get out of a slump)
市場の低迷 (Market stagnation)
低迷を余儀なくされる (To be forced into stagnation)
低迷の原因 (Cause of stagnation)
低迷を背景に (Against the backdrop of stagnation)
低迷が深刻化する (Stagnation becomes serious)
低迷の兆し (Signs of stagnation)

Often Confused With

低迷 vs 停滞 (Teitai)

Teitai means things have stopped moving (like traffic). Teimei means they are moving, but at a very low level.

低迷 vs 不振 (Fushin)

Fushin is often used for individual performance (an athlete). Teimei is for larger systems or trends.

低迷 vs 下落 (Geraku)

Geraku is the act of falling. Teimei is the state of staying low after falling.

Idioms & Expressions

"暗雲低迷 (Anun Teimei) - Dark clouds hanging low (bad situation with no hope)"
"低迷を脱する (Teimei o dassuru) - To break out of a slump"
"低迷に喘ぐ (Teimei ni aegu) - To struggle/pant in a slump"
"低迷を打破する (Teimei o daha suru) - To smash through stagnation"
"低迷の極み (Teimei no kiwami) - The height of stagnation"
"低迷の淵 (Teimei no fuchi) - The abyss of stagnation"
"低迷を招く (Teimei o maneku) - To invite/cause stagnation"
"低迷を憂慮する (Teimei o yuuryo suru) - To worry about stagnation"
"低迷を象徴する (Teimei o shouchou suru) - To symbolize stagnation"
"低迷を乗り越える (Teimei o norikoeru) - To overcome stagnation"

Easily Confused

低迷 vs

低迷 vs

低迷 vs

低迷 vs

低迷 vs

Sentence Patterns

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How to Use It

nuance

Implies a 'low level' that is stable but undesirable.

formality

High. Suitable for newspapers, business, and formal speech.

emotional tone

Pessimistic, heavy, frustrated.

Common Mistakes
  • Using it for a sudden crash (use 暴落 instead).
  • Using it for a simple decrease (use 減少 instead).
  • Using it for personal sadness (use 落ち込む instead).
  • Confusing it with 'stoppage' (use 停止 instead).
  • Misspelling the 'Mei' kanji as 'Mei' (明 - bright) - it's the opposite of bright!

Tips

Using with '続く'

Always remember that '低迷' describes a state over time. Using it with '続く' (continues) is the most natural way to express a long-term slump.

Noun vs Verb

As a noun, it's '低迷'. As a verb, it's '低迷する'. Both are equally common in formal writing.

Business Context

In a business meeting, use '業績低迷' (gyouseki teimei) to describe poor company performance professionally.

Teimei vs Teitai

If you are stuck in traffic, use '停滞'. If your country's GDP hasn't grown in 20 years, use '低迷'.

The Cloud Image

Visualize a low, dark cloud that won't move. That is the 'Mei' (lost/confused) part of 'Teimei'.

Formal Reports

When writing reports, use '低迷を余儀なくされる' to say that something was 'forced' into a slump by external factors.

Sports Talk

When your favorite team is losing every week, say 'チームが低迷していて悲しい' (I'm sad the team is slumping).

Kanji Tip

The 'Mei' kanji (迷) has the 'road' radical (辶). Think of being stuck on a low road.

News Reading

Look for '低迷' in the headlines of the 'Business' or 'Politics' section of Japanese news sites.

Don't use for 'Short'

If sales were bad for just one day, don't use '低迷'. Use it for weeks, months, or years.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine a **Low** (低) cloud where you are **Lost** (迷). You can't see the sun, and you can't move forward. That is Teimei.

Word Origin

Originally used in Chinese poetry to describe clouds or fog hanging low over the ground, obscuring the view. It was later adapted into Japanese to describe abstract 'low' states like economic slumps.

Cultural Context

The word is a favorite of NHK news to describe international relations or domestic issues without using overly emotional language.

In Japanese companies, admitting 'teimei' is a serious matter and usually requires a formal apology and a 'kaizen' (improvement) plan.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Conversation Starters

"最近の景気の低迷についてどう思いますか？ (What do you think about the recent economic stagnation?)"

"好きなチームが低迷している時、どうやって応援しますか？ (How do you support your favorite team when they are in a slump?)"

"仕事で低迷期を感じたことはありますか？ (Have you ever felt a period of stagnation in your work?)"

"支持率の低迷は、次の選挙にどう影響するでしょうか？ (How will the slump in approval ratings affect the next election?)"

"低迷している市場で新しいビジネスを始めるのは難しいですか？ (Is it difficult to start a new business in a stagnating market?)"

Journal Prompts

自分の人生で「低迷期」だった時期について書いてください。 (Write about a time in your life that was a 'stagnation period.')

どうすれば日本の経済低迷を打破できると思いますか？ (How do you think Japan's economic stagnation can be broken?)

成績が低迷した時、あなたはどんな対策をとりますか？ (What measures do you take when your results/grades slump?)

最近低迷していると感じる業界を一つ挙げ、その理由を考えてください。 (Name one industry you feel is stagnating lately and consider the reason.)

「暗雲低迷」という言葉から連想する物語を書いてください。 (Write a story associated with the phrase 'dark clouds hanging low.')

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Technically you could in a very poetic sense, but it's usually not used for emotions. It's better to use '落ち込む' (ochikomu) for feeling down. '低迷' is for results or external states.

Yes, it almost always describes an undesirable state where growth or progress is missing. You wouldn't use it for something you want to stay low, like 'crime rates' (though you could, it sounds odd).

'スランプ' (slump) is used specifically for athletes or artists. '低迷' is broader and more formal, used for the economy or entire industries.

You can say '低迷を脱する' (teimei o dassuru) or '低迷から抜け出す' (teimei kara nukedasu).

Yes, but it's literary. It describes clouds hanging low (暗雲低迷). In daily weather reports, they usually use simpler words like '曇り' (cloudy).

In news and business, yes. In casual conversation between friends, it's less common unless talking about a sports team or a serious topic.

It's the same 'Tei' as in 'Hikui' (low). It means a low position.

It's the same 'Mei' as in 'Mayou' (to be lost). It suggests being lost in the low state.

It's better to say '人口が減少している' (decreasing). '低迷' would imply the population is staying at a low number and not growing back.

Yes, if stock prices or commodity prices stay low for a long time, you can say '価格が低迷している'.

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