失業（しつぎょう、shitsugiょu）
- unemployment

The Japanese word 失業 (しつぎょう) means "unemployment" or "joblessness." It refers to the state of being without a job, typically when one is actively seeking work. It encompasses both voluntary and involuntary job losses. This word is often used in discussions about the economy, social issues, and individual circumstances. It's a key term related to the labor market and employment statistics. It can also refer to the process or act of becoming 失業.

⚫︎彼は失業した。 Translation: He became unemployed. ⚫︎失業率が高い。 Translation: The unemployment rate is high. ⚫︎失業手当を受け取る。 Translation: To receive unemployment benefits.

You can use 失業 in various contexts, such as: ⚫︎Describing someone's employment status: "He is currently 失業中 (in the state of unemployment)." ⚫︎Discussing economic trends: "The recent economic downturn caused an increase in 失業者 (unemployed people)." ⚫︎Referring to government policies: "The government is implementing measures to reduce 失業." The word can be used formally in official documents and news reports, or in more casual conversations when discussing someone's work situation.

失業 is typically written using the kanji 失 (loss, failure) and 業 (business, work, industry). The reading is しつぎょう in hiragana. There are no other common ways to write this word. The okurigana (the suffix hiragana) are fixed, with no variations.

There aren't many direct synonyms, but words and phrases that convey a similar meaning include: ⚫︎無職 (むしょく) - unemployed, jobless (often used to describe someone without any job at all) ⚫︎仕事がない (しごとがない) - have no job ⚫︎職を失う (しょくをうしなう) - to lose one's job ⚫︎レイオフ (reiofu) - layoff (loanword from English)

The antonyms are: ⚫︎就職 (しゅうしょく) - finding employment, getting a job ⚫︎雇用 (こよう) - employment, hiring ⚫︎仕事がある (しごとがある) - to have a job

彼はリストラで失業した。 ・Translation: He was laid off due to restructuring and became unemployed. ・Explanation: This sentence explains that the person lost their job as a result of a company's restructuring process, leading to their 失業.

彼女は長い間、失業していたが、ついに新しい仕事を見つけた。 ・Translation: She was unemployed for a long time, but finally found a new job. ・Explanation: This sentence describes a situation where someone experienced long-term unemployment and eventually secured a new position.

The word 失業 is formed from the kanji 失 (loss, failure) and 業 (business, work, industry). The combination of these characters conveys the concept of losing one's work or profession. The word's etymology reflects its meaning - the "loss of work."