深刻

しんこく

Serious, grave, severe

N3na-adjective·shinkoku

How to remember it

深 (deep) + 刻 (engraved) — a problem carved deep into a situation.

Example sentences

  • 深刻な問題が増えている。

    しんこくなもんだいがふえている。

    Serious problems are increasing.

  • 不景気で深刻な状況だ。

    ふけいきでしんこくはじょうきょうだ。

    The recession makes it a grave situation.

Usage

Describes weighty problems/situations; 深刻化する means to grow more serious.

Related words

真剣重大深刻化ひどい

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