Describes a dark, heavy, depressed atmosphere or state of mind. Often used in literary or formal contexts.
彼の表情には暗鬱な影が差していた。
A gloomy shadow fell over his expression.
この小説は都会の暗鬱な一面を描いている。
This novel depicts a gloomy side of the city.
陰鬱 also means gloom, but often implies a shadowy, somber atmosphere; 暗鬱 leans more toward a heavy, dark depression.
Standard kanji spelling.
Variant using the simplified form of 鬱.
Kana-mixed spelling; the second kanji is replaced by hiragana for readability.
Compound of 暗 (dark) and 鬱 (depression, gloom). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the combination directly conveys a sense of dark melancholy.