Translation guide
Expressing a state of deep discouragement, loss of hope, or dejection. Japanese offers several nuanced terms, from everyday expressions of feeling down to more literary or severe states of despair.
To express a general, everyday sense of being discouraged, disheartened, or in low spirits.
The most common and versatile verb for feeling down, depressed, or discouraged. Can be used for temporary or longer-lasting states.
試験に落ちて落ち込んでいる。
I'm feeling down because I failed the exam.
彼は失恋してすごく落ち込んでいた。
He was really despondent after the breakup.
Literally 'the spirit sinks in.' Describes a feeling of being depressed or gloomy, often due to a situation or environment.
雨の日が続くと気が滅入る。
Continuous rainy days make me feel despondent.
Onomatopoeic word describing a dejected, crestfallen, or dispirited state, often with a visible drooping posture.
叱られてしょんぼりしている。
He's looking despondent after being scolded.
To express a more profound, often longer-lasting state of hopelessness and despair.
To despair, to give up all hope. Stronger than 落ち込む, implying a complete loss of hope.
彼は将来に絶望している。
He is despondent about his future.
絶望的な状況だ。
It's a hopeless situation.
An adjective meaning 'disappointed' or 'disheartened,' often used in more formal or literary contexts. Implies deep disappointment and loss of spirit.
失意のうちに故郷を去った。
He left his hometown in despondency.
To become desperate and reckless out of despair. Implies a state of 'devil-may-care' attitude born from hopelessness.
もうやけくそだ。
I'm so despondent I don't care anymore.
To describe a person's appearance or atmosphere as gloomy, cheerless, or visibly despondent.
A common adjective meaning 'gloomy,' 'melancholy,' or 'depressed.' Describes both a person's mood and a depressing atmosphere.
彼は憂鬱な顔をしている。
He has a despondent look on his face.
憂鬱な天気だ。
It's gloomy weather.
Describes a person or atmosphere as gloomy, somber, or cheerless. Often carries a nuance of being dark and depressing.
彼は陰気で、いつも一人でいる。
He is despondent and always alone.
A literary word meaning 'dejected,' 'crestfallen,' or 'dispirited.' Often used in written descriptions.
彼は悄然として部屋を出て行った。
He left the room looking despondent.
落ち込む is used for everyday feelings of being down or discouraged, while 絶望する implies a deeper, more existential despair. Use 落ち込む for temporary setbacks and 絶望する for situations where all hope seems lost.
English 'despondent' can sound formal or literary. In Japanese, directly translating it as 失意の or 悄然とした may sound overly dramatic in casual conversation. Stick to 落ち込む or 憂鬱な for most everyday contexts.