1.
worsening, becoming serious/grave
The process of a problem or situation becoming increasingly serious, severe, or difficult to resolve.
人手不足が深刻化している。
The labor shortage is becoming more serious.
環境問題の深刻化を食い止めなければならない。
We must stop environmental problems from getting worse.
少子高齢化の深刻化により、社会保障制度の見直しが求められている。
Due to the worsening of the declining birthrate and aging population, a review of the social security system is being called for.
WORD FORMATION:
深刻 (serious, grave) + 化 (transformation suffix) = becoming serious/worsening. The 〜化 suffix turns adjectives and nouns into verbs/nouns meaning "becoming ~."
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 深刻化する (to worsen, to become more serious)
- 深刻化が進む (the worsening progresses)
- 深刻化を防ぐ (to prevent worsening)
SIMILAR 〜化 WORDS:
- 長期化 (prolongation, becoming prolonged)
- 悪化 (deterioration — more general than 深刻化)
- 複雑化 (becoming more complex)