モラトリアム
もらとりあむ
noun
moratorium
1.
moratorium; temporary suspension or postponement
A temporary prohibition or suspension of an activity, often used in legal, financial, or policy contexts. Borrowed from English 'moratorium.'
核実験のモラトリアムを宣言した。
They declared a moratorium on nuclear testing.
政府は死刑執行のモラトリアムを発表した。
The government announced a moratorium on executions.
新規開発のモラトリアムが来月まで続く予定だ。
The moratorium on new development is expected to continue until next month.
2.
psychosocial moratorium; period of identity exploration
In psychology (from Erik Erikson), a phase during which young people delay adult commitments while exploring their identity. Commonly used in Japanese to describe people who postpone entering society.
モラトリアム人間と呼ばれた。
I was called a moratorium person.
大学時代はモラトリアムの時期だと言われる。
University years are said to be a moratorium period.
社会に出るのを先延ばしにするモラトリアム世代が増えている。
The moratorium generation, who postpone entering society, is growing.
USAGE:
In Japanese, モラトリアム is used both in its original policy/legal sense and in a psychological sense referring to a period of identity exploration. The psychological usage, from Erik Erikson's theory, became widely known in Japan and is used to describe young adults who delay entering the workforce.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- モラトリアム人間 (moratorium person — someone avoiding adult responsibilities)
- モラトリアム期間 (moratorium period)
- モラトリアムを宣言する (to declare a moratorium)