1.衰退：recession Economists fear a similar wave of protectionism today could plunge theworld back into recession. 经济学家担心类似的保护主义会使得世界经济再次衰退。 2.不景气：downturn Heavy labor taxes are one reason why Europe entered the downturn with farhigher unemployment than America. 高额的劳动力税是欧洲以比美国更高的失业率步入衰退的原因之一。 3.暴跌：meltdown If 2008 was the year of the banking meltdown， then 2009 was the year of thestimulus packages. 如果2008年是银行彻底垮台的一年，那么2009年就是一篮子刺激政策的一年。 4.下挫：slump This would return the economy into a slump. 这将使美国经济再次陷入衰退。 5.下滑：decline Many Greeks believe they are caught up in a cycle of decline. 很多希腊人相信他们正处于一轮下降周期之中。