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A1 noun #3,732 más común 12 min de lectura

depression

Top 3,732

Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos depression en 30 segundos

Explicación depression in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'depression' is a word you might hear when people talk about feeling very, very sad for a long time. It is a noun. You can think of it as a 'big sadness' that doesn't go away. A person with depression feels tired and doesn't want to play or work. It is important to know that it is a medical problem, like a cold but in the mind. You might see it in simple sentences like 'He has depression' or 'The doctor helps people with depression.' At this stage, you don't need to know all the different types, just that it is a serious feeling of sadness that needs help from a doctor or a friend. It is different from being 'sad' for one hour because you lost a game. Depression lasts for weeks or months. You might also hear about 'The Great Depression' in a history class, which was a time when many people had no money and no jobs long ago. Remember to spell it with two 's' letters. It is a common word in health and news. If you feel this way, you should talk to a teacher or a parent. Learning this word helps you understand how people feel and why they might need to see a doctor even if they don't look sick on the outside.

At the A2 level, you should understand that 'depression' is a noun used to describe a serious mental health condition. It is more than just 'feeling blue' or 'unhappy.' People who suffer from depression often lose interest in their favorite hobbies and feel very tired all the time. You can use it in sentences like 'She is receiving treatment for her depression' or 'Exercise can sometimes help with mild depression.' You should also be aware of the adjective form, 'depressed,' which describes how a person feels. For example, 'He felt depressed after he lost his job.' In addition to the medical meaning, you might encounter 'depression' in a physical sense, meaning a low place on a surface. For instance, 'There was a depression in the ground where the water collected.' This is a more literal meaning of the word 'press' (to push down). You might also hear about an 'economic depression' in simple news stories. This means a very bad time for a country's economy where many people are unemployed. Understanding these three basic meanings—mental health, physical low point, and economic trouble—will help you navigate different types of English texts. Always remember that 'depression' is the noun (the thing) and 'depressed' is the adjective (the feeling).

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By the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'depression' in various contexts and understand its nuances. In terms of mental health, you should know that depression can be 'mild,' 'moderate,' or 'severe.' You might hear phrases like 'clinical depression' to distinguish the medical condition from general sadness. It is often used with verbs like 'suffer from,' 'diagnose,' or 'cope with.' For example, 'The therapist helped him cope with his depression.' You should also be familiar with the economic meaning: a depression is a long and severe 'recession.' The most famous is 'The Great Depression' of the 1930s. In meteorology, a 'depression' refers to an area of low atmospheric pressure that usually brings rain and wind. You might see this on a weather map. In a physical sense, it refers to a sunken area or the act of pressing something down, like 'the depression of a piano key.' At B1, you should start to notice how the word is used in more formal settings, such as news reports or health brochures. You should also be careful with the spelling (double 's') and avoid using it as an adjective. 'Depressing' is an adjective used to describe something that makes you feel sad, like 'a depressing movie,' while 'depressed' describes the person's feeling.

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At the B2 level, you are expected to understand the complexities of 'depression' in professional and academic contexts. In psychology, you might encounter specific terms like 'Postpartum Depression,' 'Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD),' or 'Major Depressive Disorder.' You should understand that it involves biological factors, such as chemical imbalances in the brain. In economics, you should be able to distinguish between a 'recession' (a temporary decline) and a 'depression' (a prolonged and deep slump). You might read about 'the threat of a global depression' in financial journals. In geography and geology, 'depression' describes landforms like basins or sinkholes. For example, 'The Qattara Depression in Egypt is one of the lowest points in Africa.' In technical or mechanical contexts, 'depression' refers to the downward movement of a part, such as 'the depression of the accelerator pedal.' You should be able to use the word accurately in essays and discussions, choosing appropriate collocations like 'alleviate depression,' 'trigger a depression,' or 'deep depression.' You should also understand the figurative use of the word in literature, where it might symbolize a lack of vitality or hope in a society. Your vocabulary should include synonyms like 'slump' or 'downturn' for economics, and 'melancholy' or 'dejection' for emotional states, knowing when each is appropriate.

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At the C1 level, you should have a sophisticated grasp of 'depression' across all its specialized domains. In medical and psychological discourse, you should understand the diagnostic criteria and the various therapeutic approaches used to treat different manifestations of depression. You might discuss the 'stigma surrounding depression' or the 'socio-economic impact of mental health disorders.' In economics, you should be able to analyze the causes and consequences of historical depressions and the fiscal policies used to mitigate them, such as 'Keynesian economics' during the Great Depression. In meteorology, you should understand the mechanics of 'cyclonic depressions' and how they interact with other weather systems. In engineering and physics, the term might be used in the context of 'the depression of the freezing point' or the 'angular depression' in surveying. You should be able to use the word with precision in formal writing, utilizing a wide range of academic collocations. Furthermore, you should recognize the subtle differences between 'depression' and related terms like 'ennui,' 'lassitude,' or 'despondency' in literary analysis. Your ability to interpret the word's meaning based on subtle contextual cues should be near-native. You should also be aware of the historical evolution of the term, from its Latin roots meaning 'to press down' to its modern clinical and economic applications.

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At the C2 level, your understanding of 'depression' should be exhaustive and nuanced, reflecting a mastery of the English language. You should be able to engage in high-level debates about the 'biopsychosocial model of depression' or the 'long-term structural effects of economic depressions' on global trade. You should be familiar with the word's use in very specific fields, such as 'the depression of the spirit' in theological texts or 'capillary depression' in fluid mechanics. In literature, you can analyze how authors use the concept of depression as a thematic element to explore the human condition, perhaps comparing the 'existential depression' in 20th-century philosophy with clinical definitions. You should be able to use the word and its derivatives with absolute idiomatic accuracy, including rare or archaic uses found in classical literature. Your writing should reflect an ability to weave the term into complex arguments, perhaps discussing the 'interplay between meteorological depressions and regional climate change.' You should also be sensitive to the evolving language around mental health, understanding how terms like 'depression' are being reframed in the context of 'neurodiversity' or 'mental wealth.' At this level, you are not just a user of the word but a critical thinker who understands its historical, scientific, and cultural weight in the English-speaking world.

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Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos

depression en 30 segundos

Depression is a serious medical condition involving long-term sadness and loss of interest in life, often requiring professional help and treatment.
The term also refers to a severe, long-lasting economic downturn, such as the Great Depression, characterized by high unemployment and business failures.
In meteorology, a depression is an area of low atmospheric pressure that typically brings rainy, windy, and generally unsettled weather conditions.
Physically, a depression is a sunken area on a surface or the act of pressing something down, like a button or a piano key.

The word 'depression' is a multifaceted noun that primarily describes a state of low mood and aversion to activity. In its most common modern usage, it refers to a clinical mental health condition. Unlike the temporary sadness everyone feels occasionally, clinical depression is a persistent state that affects a person's thoughts, behavior, feelings, and sense of well-being. It is characterized by a lack of interest in activities that were once enjoyable, significant weight changes, sleep disturbances, and a pervasive sense of hopelessness. Understanding depression requires recognizing that it is a medical illness, not a character flaw or a temporary mood swing that one can simply 'snap out of.' It involves complex interactions between social, psychological, and biological factors.

Clinical Context: In a medical setting, depression is often diagnosed as Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Doctors use specific criteria, such as the duration of symptoms (usually at least two weeks) and the impact on daily functioning, to differentiate it from grief or situational sadness. Treatment often involves a combination of psychotherapy, medication, and lifestyle adjustments.

After struggling with persistent fatigue and loss of interest for months, Sarah was diagnosed with clinical depression.

Beyond the psychological realm, the word 'depression' is used in economics to describe a sustained, long-term downturn in economic activity in one or more economies. It is more severe than a recession, which is seen as a normal part of the business cycle. An economic depression is characterized by its length, by abnormally large increases in unemployment, falls in the availability of credit, diminishing output and investment, and numerous bankruptcies. The most famous example is the Great Depression of the 1930s, which had a global impact and changed how governments manage their economies.

Geological Context: In geography and geology, a depression is a landform sunken or depressed below the surrounding area. This can be caused by various mechanisms, such as erosion, volcanic activity, or the collapse of underground caves (sinkholes). The Dead Sea is located in a famous tectonic depression.

The heavy rains filled the shallow depression in the field, creating a temporary pond.

Meteorology also utilizes the term to describe an area of low atmospheric pressure. In this context, a depression (or a 'low') is typically associated with unsettled weather, clouds, and precipitation. In the Northern Hemisphere, the wind blows counter-clockwise around a depression. These systems are crucial for weather forecasting as they often herald the arrival of storms or significant changes in temperature and wind patterns.

A deep tropical depression is forming in the Atlantic, likely to become a hurricane by Tuesday.

Physical Mechanics: In physics and engineering, depression refers to the downward movement of an object or the act of pressing something down. For example, the depression of a key on a piano or a button on a control panel is the physical act of pushing it into a lower position.

The depression of the brake pedal slowed the car immediately.

Economists fear that a prolonged trade war could trigger a global depression.

Using the word 'depression' correctly depends heavily on the context, as it transitions between medical, economic, meteorological, and physical meanings. In a medical context, it is usually used as an uncountable noun when referring to the condition generally, but can be countable when referring to specific episodes or types. For instance, you might say 'He suffers from depression' (uncountable) or 'He experienced a severe depression last year' (countable). It is common to see it preceded by adjectives that describe its severity (mild, moderate, severe) or its cause (postpartum, clinical, reactive).

Common Verb Pairings: Words often associated with depression include 'suffer from,' 'diagnose,' 'treat,' 'overcome,' or 'fall into.' In economic terms, we often use 'trigger,' 'cause,' or 'endure' a depression.

Many veterans struggle with depression after returning from combat zones.

In economic discussions, 'The Great Depression' is almost always capitalized as it refers to a specific historical event. However, when talking about general economic theory, it remains lowercase. You might describe a market as being in a 'state of depression,' indicating a long-term slump. It is important to distinguish this from a 'recession,' which is shorter and less severe. Using 'depression' in economics conveys a sense of extreme hardship and systemic failure.

Meteorological Usage: When talking about weather, 'depression' is often used with 'deep,' 'shallow,' or 'tropical.' It functions as a countable noun here. 'A depression is moving in from the Atlantic' is a standard way to describe approaching rain.

The weather map showed a significant depression centered over the North Sea.

In physical descriptions, 'depression' refers to a hole or a sunken area. It is a countable noun in this sense. You might see it in technical writing or descriptive prose to indicate a change in elevation. For example, 'The footprint left a slight depression in the soft mud.' It can also refer to the action of pressing something, such as 'The depression of the plunger ignited the explosive.'

Geologists identified a circular depression that they believe was caused by a meteorite impact.

Formal vs. Informal: In formal writing, 'depression' is the standard term for the clinical condition. Informally, people often use 'the blues' or 'feeling down,' but 'depression' is increasingly used in casual conversation to denote a serious struggle with mental health.

During the depression of the 1930s, many families lost their homes.

The therapist explained that his depression might be linked to a chemical imbalance.

You will encounter the word 'depression' in a variety of real-world settings, from doctor's offices to news broadcasts. In contemporary society, it is most frequently heard in discussions about mental health. Public health campaigns, podcasts, and social media platforms often feature individuals sharing their experiences with depression to reduce stigma. In these contexts, you'll hear it alongside terms like 'anxiety,' 'therapy,' 'medication,' and 'wellness.' It is a word that carries significant emotional weight and is used with increasing openness in workplaces and schools to discuss student and employee support systems.

News and Finance: On financial news channels like Bloomberg or CNBC, 'depression' is a 'scare word.' Analysts use it to describe the worst-case scenario for the economy. You'll hear phrases like 'sliding into a depression' or 'preventing a second Great Depression' during times of extreme market volatility or global crisis.

The news anchor warned that without government intervention, the current recession could deepen into a depression.

In the United Kingdom and other regions with frequent maritime weather influences, 'depression' is a staple of weather forecasts. BBC Weather presenters often point to 'low-pressure systems' or 'depressions' moving across the Atlantic toward the British Isles. If you are watching a forecast and see a series of concentric circles with an 'L' in the middle, the meteorologist is likely talking about a depression that will bring rain and wind.

Medical Consultations: In a clinical setting, a General Practitioner (GP) or psychiatrist will use the word to provide a diagnosis. They might ask, 'Have you had a history of depression in your family?' or 'How long have you been experiencing these symptoms of depression?'

The doctor noted that postpartum depression is a common condition that affects many new mothers.

In academic and historical contexts, 'depression' is used to analyze specific eras. History students study 'The Great Depression' to understand the rise of different political movements and the shift in economic policies. In geography class, students learn about 'tectonic depressions' or 'closed depressions' when studying the Earth's surface features. You might also hear it in technical manuals, such as 'ensure the full depression of the safety lever before operating the machinery.'

In the geography textbook, the Dead Sea is described as being located in a deep depression.

Workplace Conversations: HR departments often discuss 'depression' in the context of mental health days or employee assistance programs (EAPs). It is used to describe a valid reason for medical leave.

The company's new policy includes specific support for employees suffering from depression.

The documentary explored how the depression of the 1930s reshaped American society.

One of the most frequent mistakes English learners (and even native speakers) make is confusing 'depression' with 'sadness.' While they are related, they are not interchangeable. Sadness is a normal human emotion that is usually temporary and triggered by a specific event. Depression, however, is a clinical condition that can persist without an obvious cause and affects one's ability to function. Using 'depression' to describe a minor disappointment (e.g., 'I have depression because it's raining') can be seen as insensitive or medically inaccurate. It is better to use 'sad,' 'disappointed,' or 'unhappy' for minor, transient feelings.

Confusing Recession and Depression: In economic contexts, people often use 'depression' when they mean 'recession.' A recession is a period of temporary economic decline (usually two consecutive quarters of falling GDP). A depression is much more severe and lasts much longer. Calling a standard recession a 'depression' is an exaggeration.

Incorrect: He is in a depression because he lost his keys.
Correct: He is upset because he lost his keys.

Another mistake involves the grammar of the word. Some learners try to use 'depression' as an adjective, saying 'He is very depression.' The correct adjective form is 'depressed.' For example, 'He is depressed' or 'It was a depressing movie.' 'Depression' is strictly a noun. Additionally, when using the verb 'depress,' remember that it can mean to make someone sad or to physically push something down. 'The news depressed me' vs. 'Depress the button to start.'

Spelling Errors: The spelling 'depresion' (with one 's') is a common error, likely influenced by similar-sounding words in Romance languages like Spanish ('depresión') or French ('dépression'). In English, it always has a double 's'.

The student misspelled depression in his essay, forgetting the second 's'.

In a physical sense, learners sometimes use 'hole' when 'depression' would be more precise. A 'hole' implies an opening that goes through something, whereas a 'depression' is just a sunken area or a dip. For instance, 'There was a depression in the cushion where he had been sitting.' Using 'hole' there would suggest he had ripped the fabric and gone through it.

Incorrect: The car's weight made a hole in the asphalt.
Correct: The car's weight made a depression in the soft asphalt.

Preposition Pitfalls: Learners often struggle with which preposition to use. We say 'depression about' a situation, 'struggling with' depression, or being 'in a' depression. Avoid saying 'depression of' when you mean the feeling you have about something.

The economic depression lasted for over a decade, affecting millions.

The word 'depression' has several synonyms and near-synonyms, but each carries a slightly different nuance or is used in a specific register. Understanding these differences is key to advanced English proficiency. For the mental health sense, alternatives include 'melancholy,' 'despair,' 'gloom,' and 'misery.' 'Melancholy' is often used in a more poetic or literary sense to describe a deep, pensive, and long-lasting sadness. 'Despair' is more intense, suggesting a total loss of hope. 'Gloom' refers to a state of darkness or obscurity, often applied to one's mood or the atmosphere of a place.

Depression vs. Melancholy: 'Depression' is a clinical, modern term. 'Melancholy' is an older, more romanticized word. You wouldn't be diagnosed with 'melancholy' today, but you might feel it while listening to a sad song.

While depression is a medical diagnosis, melancholy is often viewed as a reflective state of mind.

In an economic context, as previously mentioned, 'recession' is the most common alternative, though it is less severe. Other terms include 'slump,' 'downturn,' 'stagnation,' or 'crisis.' A 'slump' is a sudden fall in prices or value. 'Stagnation' refers to a period of little to no growth. 'Crisis' implies a sudden and dangerous turning point. Using 'depression' signals the most extreme version of these economic woes.

Physical Alternatives: For a physical dip, you could use 'cavity,' 'dent,' 'dip,' 'hollow,' 'crater,' or 'pit.' A 'dent' is usually caused by a blow or pressure (like on a car), while a 'crater' is specifically associated with explosions or impacts.

The meteor left a massive depression in the desert, which scientists call a crater.

In weather terms, a 'low' or a 'cyclone' are technical alternatives to 'depression.' In everyday UK English, you might just hear people say 'it's going to be rainy' or 'a storm is coming,' but 'depression' remains the specific term used by meteorologists to describe the pressure system itself.

A shallow depression is expected to bring light showers to the region tomorrow.

Register and Context: Choosing between 'depression' and its synonyms depends on the level of formality. 'Depression' is the most versatile and formal, while 'slump' or 'the blues' are more informal.

The architect noticed a small depression in the floorboards that indicated structural rot.

How Formal Is It?

Dato curioso

The use of 'depression' to describe a psychological state only became common in the 17th century; before that, people used the term 'melancholy'.

Guía de pronunciación

UK /dɪˈpreʃ.ən/

US /dɪˈpreʃ.ən/

Second syllable: de-PRES-sion

Rima con

session confession profession possession obsession aggression progression succession

Errores comunes

Pronouncing it as 'dee-pression' (using a long 'e' in the first syllable).
Stressing the first syllable: 'DE-pression'.
Pronouncing the 'sion' as 'zhun' (like in 'vision') instead of 'shun'.
Mispunctuating the word as 'depres-sion' in writing.
Confusing it with the pronunciation of 'depreciation'.

Nivel de dificultad

Lectura 2/5

The word is common, but its different meanings in technical texts can be tricky.

Escritura 3/5

Requires careful use of collocations and correct spelling (double 's').

Expresión oral 2/5

Commonly used in daily life and news; easy to pronounce once the stress is learned.

Escucha 2/5

Easily recognizable in various contexts like weather or news.

Qué aprender después

Requisitos previos

sad press down mood health

Aprende después

anxiety recession psychiatry stagnation meteorology

Avanzado

anhedonia cyclogenesis colligative Keynesianism etiology

Gramática que debes saber

Noun vs. Adjective

Use 'depression' (noun) for the thing, and 'depressed' (adjective) for the feeling: 'His depression (noun) made him feel depressed (adjective).'

Countability

Use as uncountable for the general state: 'Depression is common.' Use as countable for specific instances: 'He suffered two major depressions.'

Capitalization

Always capitalize 'The Great Depression' when referring to the 1930s event.

Prepositions

Commonly followed by 'about', 'over', or 'in': 'depression about the future', 'a depression in the ground'.

Verb Agreement

When 'depression' is the subject, use singular verbs: 'The depression lasts for months.'

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Ejemplos por nivel

He has depression and sees a doctor.

Il a une dépression et voit un médecin.

Uses 'has' to show a condition.

Depression makes people feel very tired.

La dépression fatigue beaucoup les gens.

Singular noun 'depression' with a singular verb 'makes'.

My friend helps me when I feel depression.

Mon ami m'aide quand je ressens de la dépression.

Object of the verb 'feel'.

Is depression a sickness?

Est-ce que la dépression est une maladie ?

Question form with 'is'.

The Great Depression was a hard time.

La Grande Dépression a été une période difficile.

Proper noun referring to a historical event.

Doctors give medicine for depression.

Les médecins donnent des médicaments pour la dépression.

Prepositional phrase 'for depression'.

She doesn't want to play because of her depression.

Elle ne veut pas jouer à cause de sa dépression.

Using 'because of' followed by a noun.

We can talk about depression.

Nous pouvons parler de la dépression.

Modal verb 'can' followed by 'talk about'.

There is a small depression in the grass.

Il y a une petite dépression dans l'herbe.

Countable noun meaning a physical dip.

Economic depression causes many people to lose jobs.

La dépression économique fait perdre leur emploi à de nombreuses personnes.

Compound noun 'economic depression'.

He suffered from depression for two years.

Il a souffert de dépression pendant deux ans.

Verb phrase 'suffer from'.

The depression of the button starts the machine.

L'enfoncement du bouton démarre la machine.

Noun meaning the act of pressing down.

The weather forecast mentioned a tropical depression.

Les prévisions météo ont mentionné une dépression tropicale.

Specific meteorological term.

Many artists express their depression through painting.

De nombreux artistes expriment leur dépression à travers la peinture.

Possessive adjective 'their' modifying 'depression'.

It is hard to overcome depression alone.

Il est difficile de surmonter la dépression seul.

Infinitive 'to overcome' with the noun.

A depression in the road can damage your car.

Un affaissement sur la route peut endommager votre voiture.

Countable noun used for a physical feature.

The therapist specializes in treating adolescent depression.

Le thérapeute est spécialisé dans le traitement de la dépression chez les adolescents.

Gerund 'treating' followed by the noun phrase.

A deep depression is moving across the Atlantic.

Une dépression profonde traverse l'Atlantique.

Adjective 'deep' modifying 'depression'.

The country is slowly recovering from the economic depression.

Le pays se remet lentement de la dépression économique.

Present continuous 'is recovering'.

The chair had a depression where the heavy cat had slept.

La chaise avait un creux là où le gros chat avait dormi.

Relative clause 'where the heavy cat had slept'.

She felt a sense of depression after her vacation ended.

Elle a ressenti un sentiment de déprime après la fin de ses vacances.

Noun phrase 'a sense of depression'.

Clinical depression requires professional medical attention.

La dépression clinique nécessite une attention médicale professionnelle.

Specific term 'clinical depression'.

The depression of the lever releases the lock.

L'abaissement du levier libère le verrou.

Formal noun use for mechanical action.

Winter can often trigger seasonal depression in some people.

L'hiver peut souvent déclencher une dépression saisonnière chez certaines personnes.

Verb 'trigger' used with the noun.

The government implemented new policies to prevent a depression.

Le gouvernement a mis en œuvre de nouvelles politiques pour prévenir une dépression.

Infinitive of purpose 'to prevent'.

Postpartum depression can affect any new parent, regardless of age.

La dépression post-partum peut affecter tout nouveau parent, quel que soit son âge.

Prepositional phrase 'regardless of age'.

The meteorologists are tracking a tropical depression in the Gulf.

Les météorologues suivent une dépression tropicale dans le Golfe.

Present continuous 'are tracking'.

A geological depression often forms where the earth's crust is thin.

Une dépression géologique se forme souvent là où la croûte terrestre est mince.

Adverb 'often' modifying the verb 'forms'.

The patient showed symptoms of moderate to severe depression.

Le patient présentait des symptômes de dépression modérée à sévère.

Range indicated by 'moderate to severe'.

The depression of the brake pedal is essential for stopping the vehicle.

L'enfoncement de la pédale de frein est essentiel pour arrêter le véhicule.

Gerund 'stopping' in a prepositional phrase.

His poetry reflects the deep depression he felt during the war.

Sa poésie reflète la profonde dépression qu'il a ressentie pendant la guerre.

Relative clause 'he felt during the war'.

The central bank lowered interest rates to combat the depression.

La banque centrale a baissé les taux d'intérêt pour lutter contre la dépression.

Verb 'combat' used with the noun.

The study explores the link between inflammation and depression.

L'étude explore le lien entre l'inflammation et la dépression.

Noun 'link' followed by 'between... and'.

The Qattara Depression is a significant geographical feature in Egypt.

La dépression de Qattara est une caractéristique géographique importante en Égypte.

Proper noun phrase.

The sudden depression of the currency led to widespread panic.

La dépréciation soudaine de la monnaie a entraîné une panique généralisée.

Noun 'depression' used in a financial sense (less common than 'depreciation' but valid for 'slump').

The psychiatrist noted that his depression was resistant to standard treatments.

Le psychiatre a noté que sa dépression était résistante aux traitements standards.

Adjective phrase 'resistant to standard treatments'.

A cyclonic depression can cause severe coastal flooding.

Une dépression cyclonique peut provoquer de graves inondations côtières.

Compound noun 'cyclonic depression'.

The depression of the plunger must be done slowly to avoid a splash.

L'enfoncement du piston doit être fait lentement pour éviter les éclaboussures.

Passive voice 'must be done'.

The novel is a poignant exploration of existential depression.

Le roman est une exploration poignante de la dépression existentielle.

Adjective 'existential' modifying 'depression'.

The Great Depression reshaped the geopolitical landscape of the 20th century.

La Grande Dépression a remodelé le paysage géopolitique du XXe siècle.

Complex noun phrase as subject.

The etiology of depression remains a subject of intense neurobiological research.

L'étiologie de la dépression reste un sujet de recherche neurobiologique intense.

Academic term 'etiology' (cause).

The angular depression of the star was measured with extreme precision.

L'angle de dépression de l'étoile a été mesuré avec une précision extrême.

Technical term 'angular depression' in astronomy/surveying.

The economy entered a period of secular depression, characterized by long-term stagnation.

L'économie est entrée dans une période de dépression séculaire, caractérisée par une stagnation à long terme.

Economic term 'secular depression'.

Her memoir provides a visceral account of sinking into a catatonic depression.

Ses mémoires fournissent un récit viscéral d'une plongée dans une dépression catatonique.

Specific medical term 'catatonic depression'.

The depression of the freezing point is a colligative property of solutions.

L'abaissement du point de congélation est une propriété colligative des solutions.

Scientific term in chemistry.

The film utilizes shadows to mirror the protagonist's internal depression.

Le film utilise des ombres pour refléter la dépression interne du protagoniste.

Verb 'mirror' used figuratively.

A socio-economic depression of this magnitude has no historical precedent.

Une dépression socio-économique de cette ampleur n'a aucun précédent historique.

Complex adjective 'socio-economic'.

The poet's later works are imbued with a sense of profound spiritual depression.

Les œuvres tardives du poète sont imprégnées d'un sentiment de profonde dépression spirituelle.

Passive voice 'are imbued with'.

Sinónimos

sadness unhappiness misery despair gloom melancholy

Antónimos

happiness joy cheerfulness

Colocaciones comunes

clinical depression

economic depression

postpartum depression

suffer from depression

deep depression

tropical depression

treat depression

overcome depression

trigger a depression

major depression

Frases Comunes

sink into a depression

— To gradually become very depressed.

He began to sink into a depression after losing his job.

the depths of depression

— The most severe or lowest point of the condition.

She felt like she was in the depths of depression.

a state of depression

— Being in a condition of low spirits or economic slump.

The industry is currently in a state of depression.

battle with depression

— To struggle against the mental health condition.

He has been open about his long battle with depression.

history of depression

— Having experienced the condition in the past.

The doctor asked if she had a family history of depression.

signs of depression

— Indicators or symptoms that someone is depressed.

Recognizing the signs of depression is the first step toward help.

spiral into depression

— To quickly fall into a deep state of depression.

Without support, it's easy to spiral into depression.

lift the depression

— To end the state of sadness or economic downturn.

The new government hope to lift the economic depression.

mild depression

— A less severe form of the condition.

Exercise can be very effective for mild depression.

cloud of depression

— A metaphor for the feeling of being weighed down by sadness.

A cloud of depression seemed to hang over the house.

Se confunde a menudo con

depression vs recession

A recession is a short-term economic decline; a depression is much longer and more severe.

depression vs sadness

Sadness is a temporary emotion; depression is a persistent medical condition.

depression vs depreciation

Depreciation is the loss of value of an asset; depression is a state of the whole economy or a mood.

Modismos y expresiones

"down in the dumps"

— Feeling very sad or depressed (informal).

He's been a bit down in the dumps since he failed his driving test.

informal

"the blues"

— A feeling of sadness or depression.

I always get the winter blues when the days get shorter.

neutral

"under a cloud"

— Feeling sad or being under suspicion (usually the former in this context).

She's been under a cloud of depression for weeks.

literary

"heart is heavy"

— Feeling a great deal of sadness.

Her heart was heavy with depression after the news.

literary

"in a funk"

— In a state of nervous depression or dejection.

He's been in a blue funk all day.

informal

"black dog"

— A metaphor for depression, popularized by Winston Churchill.

He struggled with the black dog of depression his entire life.

literary/historical

"at rock bottom"

— At the lowest possible level.

His depression had brought him to rock bottom.

neutral

"low spirits"

— A state of sadness or lack of enthusiasm.

The team was in low spirits after their defeat.

neutral

"heavy-hearted"

— Feeling very sad.

He was heavy-hearted as he thought about the future.

literary

"cast a shadow"

— To make a situation feel sad or depressing.

The news cast a shadow of depression over the party.

neutral

Fácil de confundir

depression vs depressed

It's the adjective form.

Depression is the noun (the condition); depressed is the adjective (the feeling). You cannot say 'I am depression.'

I am depressed (adjective) because of my depression (noun).

depression vs depressing

It's also an adjective.

Depressing describes something that makes you sad; depressed describes how you feel.

The news is depressing, so I feel depressed.

depression vs compression

Similar sound and root.

Compression is squeezing something together; depression is pushing something down or a state of low mood.

The compression of the air made it hot, while the depression of the button started the fan.

depression vs oppression

Similar sound and root.

Oppression is the cruel or unjust exercise of authority; depression is a mental or economic state.

The people suffered from the dictator's oppression and the country's economic depression.

depression vs suppression

Similar sound and root.

Suppression is the act of stopping or restraining something; depression is a state of being low.

The suppression of his feelings led to a deep depression.

Patrones de oraciones

Subject + has + depression.

He has depression.

There is a + adjective + depression + in + noun.

There is a small depression in the sand.

Subject + suffer from + depression.

Many people suffer from depression.

The + adjective + depression + triggered + noun.

The economic depression triggered a political crisis.

A + noun + of + depression + is + adjective.

A diagnosis of depression is often life-changing.

The + noun + of + the + noun + caused + a + depression.

The depression of the lever caused a loud click.

Subject + be + characterized by + a + profound + depression.

His later years were characterized by a profound depression.

The + noun + of + depression + in + noun + context.

The etiology of depression in a clinical context is complex.

Familia de palabras

Sustantivos

depression

depressant

depressiveness

Verbos

depress

Adjetivos

depressed

depressing

depressive

Relacionado

recession

press

pressure

compress

suppress

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Cómo usarlo

frequency

High in health, news, and science.

Errores comunes

He is very depression. → He is very depressed.
'Depression' is a noun, but you need an adjective here to describe the person.
I have a depression today. → I am feeling sad today.
We don't usually use 'a depression' for a temporary mood; depression is a long-term condition.
The economic recession of the 1930s. → The Great Depression of the 1930s.
A recession is too mild a word for the extreme economic crisis of that time.
There is a hole in the grass. → There is a depression in the grass.
If it's just a dip and not a deep opening, 'depression' is more accurate than 'hole'.
The news was very depressed. → The news was very depressing.
'Depressed' describes a person's feeling; 'depressing' describes the thing that causes the feeling.

Consejos

Use it as a Noun

Always remember that 'depression' is a noun. If you want to describe a person's feeling, use the adjective 'depressed'. For example: 'He has depression' vs 'He is depressed'.

Check the Field

Before using the word, consider if you are talking about health, money, weather, or a physical shape. This helps you choose the right adjectives and verbs to go with it.

Double the 'S'

A common mistake is spelling it with only one 's'. Remember: de-pres-sion. It has two 's' letters in the middle, just like 'session' or 'profession'.

Be Mindful

When talking about mental health, use 'depression' with care. Avoid using it to describe very small problems, as this can minimize the struggle of those with the clinical condition.

Learn Collocations

Learning phrases like 'suffer from depression' or 'economic depression' will make your English sound much more natural than just using the word alone.

Stress the Second Syllable

The 'PRES' part of de-PRES-sion should be the loudest and strongest part of the word when you say it out loud.

Articles Matter

We usually say someone 'has depression' (no article) but 'The Great Depression' (the article 'the' is part of the name).

Academic Precision

In academic papers, use 'Major Depressive Disorder' if you want to be very specific about the clinical condition.

Weather Reports

If you hear 'depression' on a UK weather report, reach for your umbrella! It almost always means rain is coming.

Capitalize History

When you write about the economic crisis of the 1930s, always capitalize 'The Great Depression'.

Memorízalo

Mnemotecnia

Think of 'Deep-Press-On'. When you are in a depression, you feel a 'deep' 'pressure' 'on' your mind.

Asociación visual

Imagine a heavy, gray cloud pressing down on someone's shoulders, making it hard for them to stand up straight.

Word Web

sadness economy pressure weather medicine hole mood slump

Desafío

Write three sentences using 'depression' in three different ways: medical, economic, and physical.

Origen de la palabra

From the Latin 'depressio', which comes from 'deprimere'. 'De-' means 'down' and 'premere' means 'to press'. So, the original meaning is literally 'to press down'.

Significado original: The act of pressing down or lowering.

Latinate / Romance influence

Contexto cultural

Be careful when using the word casually; it is a serious medical diagnosis for many people.

Increasingly treated with openness; 'mental health days' are becoming common in workplaces.

The Great Depression (1929-1939) The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath (novel about depression) Winston Churchill's 'Black Dog'

Practica en la vida real

Contextos reales

Medical / Mental Health

clinical depression
symptoms of depression
therapy for depression
antidepressant medication

Economics

economic depression
the Great Depression
prolonged depression
financial slump

Meteorology

tropical depression
deep depression
low-pressure system
cyclonic depression

Geography / Physical

geological depression
depression in the ground
sinkhole depression
natural basin

Mechanics / Physics

depression of the key
angular depression
depression of the freezing point
pressing down

Inicios de conversación

"How can we better support people who are struggling with depression in our community?"

"What are the main differences between a recession and a depression in economics?"

"Have you ever seen a deep depression on a weather map before a storm?"

"Why do you think the Great Depression had such a big impact on world history?"

"Do you think society is becoming more open about discussing depression?"

Temas para diario

Reflect on a time you felt a sense of depression and what helped you move through it.

Write about the historical significance of the Great Depression and how it changed your country.

Describe a physical depression in nature you have visited, like a valley or a basin.

Discuss the importance of mental health awareness and why 'depression' shouldn't be a taboo word.

Imagine you are a meteorologist explaining a coming depression to the public.

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

No, sadness is a normal, temporary emotion triggered by events. Depression is a medical condition that lasts for a long time and affects your whole life. You might feel sad for no reason at all when you have depression. It often requires professional help to manage.

The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic downturn that took place mostly during the 1930s. It began in the United States after a major stock market crash. It caused massive unemployment and poverty across the globe. It is the most famous example of an economic depression.

A tropical depression is a type of weather system with low atmospheric pressure and thunderstorms. It is the first stage of a tropical cyclone or hurricane. If the winds get stronger, it can become a tropical storm and then a hurricane. Meteorologists track them to warn people about bad weather.

Yes, many studies show that regular physical activity can help improve the symptoms of mild to moderate depression. Exercise releases chemicals in the brain called endorphins that make you feel better. However, for severe depression, exercise is usually used alongside other treatments like therapy or medicine.

The plural is 'depressions'. You simply add an 's' to the end. You might use the plural when talking about different types of the condition or multiple sunken areas in the ground. For example, 'The geologist mapped several depressions in the valley.'

In medical and economic contexts, yes, it usually refers to something negative. However, in physical and mechanical contexts, it is just a descriptive term. For example, a depression in a cushion is just a shape, and the depression of a key is a necessary action to play music.

Postpartum depression is a type of depression that some parents experience after having a baby. It is very common and can involve extreme sadness, anxiety, and exhaustion. It is important for new parents to seek help if they feel this way, as it is a treatable medical condition.

A recession is a normal part of the business cycle where the economy slows down for a few months. A depression is much more severe, lasts for years, and causes much higher unemployment. Economists often say a depression is a 'long and deep' recession.

The best way to help is to listen without judging and encourage them to see a doctor or a therapist. You can also help by doing small, everyday tasks for them or just spending time with them. Let them know that you care and that they are not alone in their struggle.

It comes from the Latin word 'deprimere', which means 'to press down'. This is why we use it for things that are physically pushed down, as well as for moods or economies that feel 'pushed down' or low. It entered the English language hundreds of years ago.

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