1.
vicious cycle; negative spiral; chain of negative events
A situation where one bad outcome leads to another, creating an ongoing cycle of negative consequences. Used in discussions of social problems, economics, and personal struggles.
負の連鎖を断ち切る。
To break the vicious cycle.
貧困の負の連鎖が問題になっている。
The vicious cycle of poverty has become a problem.
睡眠不足とストレスの負の連鎖から抜け出すのは簡単ではない。
It is not easy to escape the vicious cycle of sleep deprivation and stress.
USAGE:
Frequently appears in news, social commentary, and self-help contexts. Often used with verbs describing breaking or escaping the cycle.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 負の連鎖を断ち切る (to break the vicious cycle)
- 負の連鎖に陥る (to fall into a vicious cycle)
- 負の連鎖から抜け出す (to escape the negative spiral)
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 悪循環: vicious circle — nearly synonymous, but more formal and academic in tone