1.
vicious cycle, vicious circle
A situation in which one problem leads to another, which in turn worsens the original problem, creating a self-reinforcing negative loop.
悪循環に陥る。
To fall into a vicious cycle.
睡眠不足とストレスの悪循環を断ち切りたい。
I want to break the vicious cycle of lack of sleep and stress.
人口減少と経済縮小の悪循環から抜け出すのは容易ではない。
It is not easy to escape the vicious cycle of population decline and economic contraction.
USAGE:
The opposite is 好循環 (virtuous cycle). 悪循環 is common in health, economics, social issues, and everyday conversation about recurring problems.
The word breaks down as 悪 (bad) + 循環 (circulation, cycle).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 悪循環に陥る: to fall into a vicious cycle
- 悪循環を断ち切る: to break a vicious cycle
- 悪循環から抜け出す: to escape a vicious cycle
- 悪循環を繰り返す: to repeat a vicious cycle