Translation guide
Describes a state of feeling sad, down, or lacking energy. Japanese has many nuanced expressions for this, ranging from temporary sadness to deeper melancholy.
Expressing a general low mood or sadness, often temporary.
A common, natural way to say you're feeling down or depressed. Literally 'my mood is sunken'.
I've been feeling down lately.
Means melancholy or gloom. Often used for a deeper, lingering sadness.
Rainy days make me feel gloomy.
Literally 'have no energy'. Used when someone seems down or listless.
He seems down today, doesn't he?
A noun meaning a slump or depression. Often used in psychological contexts.
How to recover from a slump
Feeling down because something didn't go as hoped.
Expresses disappointment. Very common and natural.
I'm disappointed that I failed the exam.
Means to be dispirited or dejected. More formal and emphatic.
A state of low spirits characterized by lethargy or lack of drive.
気分が落ち込んでいる is a general, everyday expression for feeling down. 憂鬱 implies a deeper, more persistent melancholy and is often used in writing or formal speech.
Do not translate 'low spirits' directly as 低い精神. It sounds unnatural. Use the phrases provided instead.
He is dispirited after his failure.
明日の会議を考えると気が重い。
Thinking about tomorrow's meeting makes me feel heavy-hearted.