Business cycle (经济周期)

Business cycle (经济周期 jīng jì zhōu qī) refers to a cycle of economic activity alternates between the phase of expansions and contractions due to the natural rise and fall of economic growth over time. 

Part 1: Breakdown of Words

• In this phrase, “business” has been translated into “经济” (jīng jì). But in most cases, the corresponding translation of “经济” (jīng jì) is “economy”.
  • “经” (jīng) as in “experience” (经验 jīng yàn), “operate” (经营 jīng yíng), or “classical” (经典 jīng diǎn).
  • “济” (jì) as in “relief” (救济 jiù jì), or “help the poor” (济贫 jì pín). 
• “Cycle” (周期 zhōu qī) as in “life cycle” (生命周期 shēng mìng zhōu qí).
  • “周” (zhōu) as in “circumference” (圆周 yuán zhōu), “surrounding” (周围 zhōu wéi), or “perimeter” (周长 zhōu cháng).
  • “期” (qī) as in “date” (日期 rì qī), “expectation” (期望 qī wàng), or “time period” (时期 shí qī).

Part 2: Examples

1. Business cycle stages (经济周期阶段 jīng jì zhōu qī jiē duàn).
2. Business cycle theory (经济周期理论 jīng jì zhōu qī lǐ lùn).