Translation guide
Expressing sadness, disappointment, or low spirits in a downcast manner. Japanese uses various adverbs, mimetic words, and descriptive phrases to convey acting or feeling dejected.
Describing someone's actions or demeanor when they are visibly sad or discouraged.
A mimetic adverb meaning 'dejectedly' or 'dispiritedly', often used when someone looks downcast or lonely.
He went home dejectedly.
The dog is sitting dejectedly.
From the verb がっかりする (to be disappointed). Used to describe doing something in a disappointed or dejected state.
Dejectedly, he sighed.
A more formal or literary expression meaning 'in low spirits' or 'dejectedly'.
He hung his head dejectedly.
A literary word meaning 'dejectedly' or 'crestfallen'. Rare in everyday speech.
He left dejectedly.
Emphasizing the emotional weight or sadness behind an action.
Describing visible signs of dejection, such as drooping shoulders or a downcast face.
Literally 'looking down', often implies dejection or shame.
She was walking dejectedly, looking down.
Literally 'with shoulders dropped', a common idiom for looking dejected.
He left the room dejectedly.
With a dejected/downcast face. しょげる means to be dispirited.
He was sitting dejectedly.
しょんぼり emphasizes the outward appearance of dejection (lonely, dispirited look), while がっかりして focuses on the feeling of disappointment. Use しょんぼり for visible demeanor and がっかりして when the action stems from disappointment.
He was sitting dejectedly on a park bench.
Dejected, I couldn't say anything.
There is no single Japanese adverb that covers all uses of 'dejectedly'. Avoid direct translations like 落胆して (which is more 'disappointedly') unless the context is clear. Often, a phrase describing body language or emotional state is more natural.
He continued working dejectedly.