人 手 不 足(ひとでぶそく)

ひとでぶそく

noun

labor shortage, staff shortage

1. labor shortage, staff shortage, being short-handed

A condition where there are not enough workers or staff to meet demand. A widely discussed social issue in Japan due to the aging population and declining birthrate.

人手不足(ひとでぶそく)が深刻(しんこく)だ。

The labor shortage is serious.

人手不足(ひとでぶそく)で店(みせ)を閉(し)めることになった。

Due to a staff shortage, we had to close the shop.

介護(かいご)業界(ぎょうかい)では慢性的(まんせいてき)な人手不足(ひとでぶそく)が続(つづ)いている。

A chronic labor shortage continues in the nursing care industry.

USAGE: A four-character compound consisting of 人手(ひとで) (manpower, workers) and 不足(ぶそく) (shortage, insufficiency). Very frequently appears in news and business contexts.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

人手不足(ひとでぶそく)を解消(かいしょう)する (to resolve a labor shortage)
人手不足(ひとでぶそく)に悩(なや)む (to struggle with a staff shortage)
慢性的(まんせいてき)な人手不足(ひとでぶそく) (chronic labor shortage)
深刻(しんこく)な人手不足(ひとでぶそく) (severe labor shortage)

general

Added 2026.2.16 19:57

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