deflation
/ˌdiːˈfleɪʃn/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌdiːˈfleɪʃn/ (ame, ipa) · /di-ˈflā-shən ˌdē-/ (ame, mw)
deflation — 名詞
1. the process of letting air out of something that is filled with air, such as a b
放氣；洩氣
將氣體從充氣物體中釋出
the process of letting air out of something that is filled with air, such as a balloon, a tire, or an inflatable object, causing it to become smaller or lose its shape.
The sudden deflation of the balloon sent it spinning wildly around the room.
氣球的突然放氣讓它在房間裡到處亂飛。
uncountable noun with 'the' + of
After the deflation of the air mattress, the camping family packed it into a small carry bag.
露營家庭將充氣床墊洩氣後，把它塞進一個小收納袋裡。
concrete scenario: travel equipment
A slow deflation in the rear tire forced the driver to pull over at the next gas station.
後輪緩慢漏氣讓司機不得不在下一個加油站停車。
The nurse checked the blood pressure cuff for any sign of air leakage or deflation.
護士檢查了血壓袖帶，確認是否有漏氣或洩氣的情況。
- deflating
The gerund form; interchangeable in many contexts ('the deflating of the balloon').
- air release
More mechanical or technical; often used for engineered systems rather than everyday objects.
- inflation
The opposite process of filling with air.
用法筆記
Uncountable; typically used with 'the deflation of [something]' to specify the object being emptied of air.
常見錯誤
2. a situation in which a person, group, or institution experiences a loss of confi
低落；沮喪
信心或士氣減弱的情況
a situation in which a person, group, or institution experiences a loss of confidence, energy, or strength, often after a disappointing event or failure.
After losing the championship match, the team suffered a visible deflation in morale.
輸掉冠軍賽後，這支球隊的士氣明顯低落。
collocation: deflation in morale
The company's quarterly losses caused a deflation of optimism among its employees.
公司每季的虧損導致員工的樂觀情緒低落。
pattern: deflation of + abstract noun
There was a sense of deflation in the office when the big project was cancelled at the last minute.
大型專案在最後一刻被取消時，辦公室裡瀰漫著一股沮喪的氣氛。
The actor felt a quiet deflation after the audition when nobody called back for a second round.
試鏡後一直沒接到回電，那位演員感到一陣默默的失落。
- discouragement
More common and concrete; focuses on the emotional effect of disappointment.
- letdown
Informal; describes the feeling after an anticlimax rather than a general loss of strength.
- dejection
More formal and intense; implies sadness rather than simply loss of energy.
用法筆記
Often used with a following prepositional phrase introduced by 'in' or 'of' to specify where the loss occurs: 'deflation in morale', 'deflation of spirits'. Can be used as an uncountable noun or, less commonly, as a singular count noun ('a sense of deflation').
常見錯誤
3. a sustained fall in the general price level of goods and services in an economy,
通貨緊縮
物價持續下跌的經濟現象
a sustained fall in the general price level of goods and services in an economy, usually caused by a reduction in the supply of money or credit and often linked to lower economic activity.
The central bank introduced new policies to prevent deflation from damaging the national economy.
中央銀行推出新的政策來防止通貨緊縮損害國家經濟。
collocation: prevent deflation
During a period of deflation, consumers often delay purchases because they expect prices to keep falling.
在通貨緊縮期間，消費者往往延後購買，因為他們預期物價會持續下跌。
typical scenario: consumer behavior during deflation
Economists warned that deflation could lead to higher unemployment and reduced investment across the region.
經濟學家警告，通貨緊縮可能導致失業率上升，並減少整個區域的投資。
Japan experienced a long period of deflation in the 1990s that changed the country's approach to monetary policy.
日本在1990年代經歷了長期的通貨緊縮，改變了該國的貨幣政策方針。
Unlike inflation, which raises the cost of living, deflation can make debts harder to repay because the value of money rises.
與推高生活成本的通貨膨脹不同，通貨緊縮可能讓債務更難償還，因為貨幣的價值上升了。
- price decline
More descriptive and literal; less technical than 'deflation'.
- disinflation
A slowdown in the rate of inflation, not an actual price decrease — a different economic concept.
- inflation
A general rise in prices; the direct opposite economic condition.
- hyperinflation
Extremely rapid and out-of-control price increases.
用法筆記
Used as an uncountable noun in economic contexts. Often paired in contrast with 'inflation'. Frequently appears in formal or academic writing about macroeconomics. Common collocations include 'fight deflation', 'fear of deflation', and 'the risk of deflation'.
常見錯誤
4. a general reduction in the worth or market value of something, such as currency,
貶值；下跌
資產或貨幣價格下降
a general reduction in the worth or market value of something, such as currency, assets, or investments, without the specific causes or mechanisms of economic deflation.
Investors grew concerned about the deflation of real estate prices in the coastal housing market.
投資人對沿海房市中房地產價格的下跌感到擔憂。
collocation: deflation of + asset prices
The deflation of the national currency made imported goods significantly more expensive for local consumers.
本國貨幣的貶值使進口商品對當地消費者來說變得昂貴許多。
A steady deflation in the value of collectible stamps disappointed many long-term hobbyists and traders.
收藏郵票價值的持續下跌讓許多長期收藏者和交易商感到失望。
The finance report noted a 5% deflation in the company's stock value over the last quarter.
財務報告指出，該公司股價在上一季下跌了5%。
- decrease in value
More neutral and widely understood; avoids the technical tone of 'deflation'.
- depreciation
Specifically used for assets like currency or equipment over time.
- devaluation
Specifically a deliberate reduction in a currency's value by a government or central bank.
- appreciation
An increase in the value of an asset or currency.
- rise in value
The general opposite direction; less formal.
用法筆記
Closely overlaps with the economic sense (Sense 3) but applies to specific assets, currencies, or markets rather than an entire economy. 'Deflation of [asset category]' is the typical pattern. Can be countable when a specific percentage or amount is mentioned ('a 5% deflation').