Translation guide
Expressing a state of low spirits, hopelessness, or discouragement in Japanese. The most natural translations depend on whether you are describing an action done in a despondent manner, a feeling, or a visible demeanor.
彼はがっかりして首を振った。
He shook his head despondently.
彼女は沈んだ様子だった。
She looked despondent.
Describing how someone does something while feeling or showing despondency.
The most common and versatile way to say 'despondently' in everyday Japanese. It comes from the verb がっかりする (to be disappointed/disheartened) and can attach to any action.
彼はがっかりして首を振った。
He shook his head despondently.
がっかりしてため息をついた。
I sighed despondently.
A slightly more formal or written expression meaning 'despondently' or 'in discouragement'. It emphasizes a feeling of being let down.
彼女は落胆してうつむいた。
She hung her head despondently.
Literally 'in low spirits', this is a more literary or emphatic way to say 'despondently'. It describes a state of dejection.
彼は意気消沈して部屋を出て行った。
He left the room despondently.
Expressing that someone is in a despondent state or feels despondent.
The most natural way to say someone is feeling down, depressed, or despondent. It describes an ongoing state.
彼は最近落ち込んでいる。
He has been despondent lately.
Means 'desperate' or 'hopeless', often used when someone feels there is no way out. Stronger than 落ち込んでいる.
彼の表情は絶望的だった。
His expression was despondent.
A more formal or literary way to say someone is in low spirits, dejected, or despondent.
チームは敗戦後、意気消沈している。
The team is despondent after the defeat.
Describing someone's appearance or demeanor as despondent.
Literally 'with a sunken appearance', this is a common way to describe someone looking despondent or downcast.
彼は沈んだ様子で座っていた。
He sat there looking despondent.
Means 'with a listless/downcast appearance'. It implies a lack of energy and despondency.
彼女は元気のない様子で話した。
She spoke despondently.
がっかりする is often a momentary feeling of disappointment, while 落ち込む describes a longer-lasting state of depression or despondency. Use がっかりして for a single action done in a despondent manner, and 落ち込んでいる for an ongoing emotional state.
テストの結果にがっかりした。
I was disappointed by the test results.
失業してからずっと落ち込んでいる。
I've been despondent ever since I lost my job.
Avoid directly translating 'despondently' as an adverb using ～に or ～と forms of words like 絶望 (despair). These sound unnatural in most contexts. Instead, use the ～て form of a verb (がっかりして) or a phrase like 沈んだ様子で.
✕ 絶望的に彼は歩いた。
He walked despondently. (unnatural)
○ 彼はがっかりして歩いた。
He walked despondently. (natural)