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深刻な人手不足
shinkoku na hitode busoku
severe labor shortage
この業界は深刻な人手不足に陥っている。
This industry is facing a severe labor shortage.
Business
formal
A situation where there are not enough workers to meet demand, often causing significant operational or economic challenges.
コロナ禍以降、飲食業界では深刻な人手不足が続いている。
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the food service industry has been grappling with a severe labor shortage.
地方では若者の流出により人手不足が深刻化している。
In rural areas, the outflow of young people has exacerbated labor shortages.
Often used in economic or business contexts to describe systemic workforce gaps.
Collocations
深刻な人手不足に陥るto fall into a severe labor shortage人手不足が解消されるto resolve a labor shortage人手不足が深刻化するto worsen a labor shortage
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Collocation Tip
Use '深刻な人手不足' in formal contexts like reports or news articles. For casual conversation, '人が足りない' (hito ga tarinai) or '人手が足りない' (hitode ga tarinai) are more common.
Gold Rule
Contextual Nuance
The phrase implies a chronic or systemic issue, not a temporary or localized problem. Avoid using it for minor staffing gaps.
Word Origin
深刻 (shinkoku) means 'severe' or 'serious,' 人手 (hitode) means 'labor' or 'workforce,' and 不足 (fuboku) means 'shortage.' The phrase combines these to describe a critical lack of workers.
Usage Notes
Commonly used in news reports, economic analyses, and corporate discussions. The adjective '深刻な' can be replaced with '重大な' or '深い' depending on context, but '深刻な' is the most natural for this phrase.
Word Breakdown
深刻な
severe/serious
adjective人手
labor/workforce
noun不足
shortage
noun和英辞典