Translation guide
Expressing a state of low spirits, discouragement, or sadness. Japanese often uses specific adjectives, verbs, or onomatopoeia to convey the feeling of being down or disheartened.
Describing a general state of sadness or low mood
A common verb meaning 'to feel down' or 'to be depressed'. It describes a temporary state of low spirits.
Lately, I've been feeling down because of a mistake at work.
A noun or na-adjective meaning 'melancholy' or 'gloom'. It conveys a deeper, more lingering sadness than 落ち込む.
Rainy days make me feel gloomy.
An onomatopoeic adverb meaning 'dejectedly' or 'dispiritedly'. It often describes a visible drooping posture or expression.
He was looking dejected after losing the match.
Expressing a feeling of being disheartened or losing hope
A common verb meaning 'to be disappointed' or 'to be disheartened'. It implies a letdown from unmet expectations.
I was dejected by the exam results.
A formal compound meaning 'dejection' or 'loss of spirit'. Used in written or serious contexts.
Describing a person's dejected look or demeanor
落ち込む focuses on an internal state of depression or low mood, while がっかりする emphasizes disappointment due to a specific event or outcome. 落ち込む can last longer; がっかりする is often a momentary reaction.
The English noun 'dejection' is rarely directly translated into a single Japanese noun in everyday speech. Instead, use verbs or adjectives like 落ち込む or がっかりする to express the feeling naturally.
The team is dejected after consecutive losses.
叱られてしょげている。
He's dejected after being scolded.