深刻

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 深刻 is read as しんこく and is a noun and na-adjective describing a problem or situation as serious, severe, and not easily dismissed.
• Basic usage: A water shortage becoming severe appears in 水不足が深刻になる, while taking a problem seriously appears in 問題を深刻に受け止める.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Severity and one’s attitude toward it
  • It can describe the gravity of a situation itself or the serious way in which someone regards it.
• Difference from 重大
  • Unlike the term emphasizing importance or major consequences, this word stresses how severe or troubling the situation is.