Translation guide
The feeling of being sad, discouraged, or low in spirits, often due to disappointment or failure. In Japanese, this is expressed through adjectives, verbs, and onomatopoeia that describe a downcast emotional state.
Expressing a general sense of sadness and low spirits, often after something didn't go well.
A common verb meaning to feel depressed or down. It can be used for temporary feelings of dejection.
試験に落ちて落ち込んでいる。
I'm feeling dejected after failing the exam.
A suru-verb meaning to be disappointed or disheartened. It often implies a letdown from expectations.
結果を聞いてがっかりした。
I felt dejected when I heard the result.
An onomatopoeic suru-verb describing a dejected, drooping appearance or mood. Often used for visible sadness.
彼は一人でしょんぼりしていた。
He was sitting alone looking dejected.
A formal, somewhat literary compound meaning to be dispirited or dejected. Used in writing or serious contexts.
チームは敗戦で意気消沈した。
The team was dejected after the defeat.
Describing someone's appearance or expression when they look sad and discouraged.
Literally 'has no energy', this phrase describes someone who looks down or dejected.
今日は元気がないね。何かあった？
You look dejected today. Did something happen?
A verb meaning to be dispirited or dejected, often with a visible drooping posture.
叱られてしょげている。
He's looking dejected after being scolded.
A literary expression meaning to look crestfallen or dejected. Rare in everyday speech.
彼は悄然として部屋を出た。
He left the room looking dejected.
Specifically feeling dejected because of a personal failure, rejection, or loss.
A casual verb meaning to feel down or depressed, often after a setback. Very common in spoken Japanese.
彼女に振られてへこんでる。
I'm dejected after being dumped by my girlfriend.
Passive form meaning to be crushed or devastated emotionally. Stronger than just feeling down.
不合格の知らせに打ちのめされた。
I was dejected by the news of my rejection.
落ち込む (ochikomu) focuses on the internal feeling of depression or being down, while がっかりする (gakkari suru) emphasizes disappointment from unmet expectations. You can use both in many situations, but がっかりする is more about the letdown itself.
楽しみにしていた旅行が中止になってがっかりした。
I was dejected because the trip I was looking forward to was canceled.
友達に悪口を言われて落ち込んだ。
I felt dejected after a friend said mean things to me.
Words like しょんぼり (shonbori) and しょげる (shogeru) are very vivid and commonly used in manga, anime, and casual conversation to describe a dejected appearance. They convey a visual sense of drooping or wilting.