Translation guide
Describes something that is dull, gloomy, depressing, or lacking in cheer. Often used for weather, places, moods, or situations.
Describe weather or an atmosphere that is overcast, gray, and depressing.
An adverb or する-verb describing a heavy, overcast sky or a dull, gloomy atmosphere. Very common for weather.
The sky is dreary today.
A more formal or literary word for gloomy, dreary, or melancholy. Often used for atmosphere or mood.
The dreary weather continues.
Dim, gloomy, or poorly lit. Can describe a dreary, dark room or evening.
The room is dim and somehow makes me feel dreary.
Describe a place that feels lifeless, boring, or sad.
Describes a bleak, dreary, or barren scene or room lacking warmth or decoration.
This office is dreary and doesn't motivate me.
Lonely, dreary, forlorn. Often implies a sense of desolation or poverty.
Desolate, run-down, dreary. Often used for declining towns or shops.
The dreary shopping street is deserted.
Express a personal feeling of gloom, melancholy, or depression.
Melancholy, gloom, depression. Very common for a dreary state of mind.
Rainy days always make me feel dreary.
Feel heavy-hearted, depressed, or dreary. A common phrase.
Mondays feel dreary.
Gloomy, melancholy, dreary personality or atmosphere. Can be negative if describing a person.
Describe something boring, tedious, and soul-crushing.
どんより is the most common, everyday word for dreary weather or a heavy atmosphere. 陰鬱 is more literary and intense, often used in writing or formal speech.
There is no single Japanese word that covers all uses of 'dreary'. Choose based on whether you mean weather, place, mood, or activity. Using 憂鬱 for weather sounds odd; use どんより instead.
I walked through the dreary streets.
He has a dreary personality.
単調な作業が続くと、気が滅入る。
Continuous monotonous work makes me feel dreary.