taru-adjective, adverb taking the 'to' particle
dark; gloomy; somber; depressing
Describes a situation, mood, or prospect that is bleak, hopeless, or deeply discouraging. Often used in literary or formal contexts. Functions as a taru-adjective (〜たる) or adverbially with と.
The country's future was bleak because of the war.
He hung his head with a gloomy expression.
陰鬱 also means 'gloomy' or 'dismal', but can describe weather, atmosphere, or personality. 暗澹 is stronger and more often used for prospects or abstract conditions.
Standard kanji form. The second kanji 澹 is not a Jōyō kanji, so the word is sometimes written with kana as 暗たん.
Common mixed kanji-kana spelling, especially in modern writing, because 澹 is not a Jōyō kanji.
Variant kanji form using 憺 instead of 澹. Rarely used.
From Chinese 暗澹 (àndàn), meaning 'dim' or 'gloomy'. The Japanese reading is on'yomi. The second character 澹 is rare in modern Japanese and is sometimes replaced by kana.