Meaning and Usage
"不景气" literally means 'not prosperous' and is commonly used to describe economic downturns or recessions. It refers to periods when business activities slow down, unemployment rises, and overall economic performance declines.
Common Contexts
This term is often used in news reports, business discussions, and everyday conversations about the economy. It can describe national, regional, or industry-specific economic conditions.
Collocations and Patterns
- 不景气的经济 (sluggish economy): describes the overall economic condition.
- 经济不景气 (economic downturn): a common phrase to talk about recession.
- 应对不景气 (cope with downturn): used when discussing measures or policies.
Usage Notes
When using 不景气, speakers imply a negative economic situation that affects many people or businesses. It is more formal and often used in written or semi-formal spoken contexts. Avoid confusing it with 不顺利 (unsuccessful) which is more general and less economic-specific.