Proverb / Kotowaza
暗雲低迷
A bad situation continues with no signs of improvement and an ominous atmosphere.
Dark clouds hanging low
Quick Answer
A bad situation continues with no signs of improvement and an ominous atmosphere.
- Literal Image
- Dark clouds hanging low
- How to Use It
- Used to describe stagnant economies, struggling sports teams, or companies facing ongoing scandals where the future looks bleak.
Meaning
It describes a state where dark clouds hover low, signaling a prolonged period of difficulty or trouble. There is a sense of unease and a lack of clear indications that things will get better in the near future.
Literal Image
Dark clouds hanging low
How to Use It
Used to describe stagnant economies, struggling sports teams, or companies facing ongoing scandals where the future looks bleak.
Tone
Can be used in formal or serious contexts like news, business reports, or sports analysis.
Examples
世界経済には、いまだ暗雲低迷の空気が漂っている。
A stagnant atmosphere still hangs over the world economy.
主力選手の怪我が続き、チームの先行きは暗雲低迷としている。
With injuries to key players continuing, the team's future remains bleak.
不祥事の発覚後、その企業の株価は暗雲低迷の状態が続いた。
After the scandal was revealed, the company's stock price continued to languish.
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
The kanji themselves are intermediate, and as a four-character idiom (yojijukugo), it is primarily used in formal or journalistic writing.
暗雲
あんうん / an'un
dark clouds
低迷
ていめい / teimei
stagnation; hanging low
Usage Profile
Usage note: This is a serious term; using it for minor personal inconveniences might sound overly dramatic.
Misread Risk
Ensure you use it to describe a continuing state of trouble, rather than a single sudden accident.
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Related Proverbs
Origin
The expression is a metaphor for an ominous situation, derived from a dark sky where black clouds hang low and it looks as though rain could start falling at any moment.
Index
Topics, Situations, and Tags
Topics
Situations
Tags
Source Note
Where did this entry get its data from? The reference links are listed below. To understand how to read this section, see Data Sources.