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être déprimé

B1 noun 12 min read

être déprimé

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips être déprimé in 30 Seconds

Explanation être déprimé in your Level:

At the A1 level, you are just beginning to learn how to express feelings. You might know 'Je suis triste' (I am sad). 'Être déprimé' is a bit more advanced, but it's good to recognize. Think of it as a 'stronger' version of being sad. At this stage, just focus on the basic conjugation: 'Je suis déprimé'. You don't need to worry about complex sentences yet. Just remember that 'déprimé' sounds like 'depressed'. If you are a woman, you say 'Je suis déprimée', even though it sounds the same when you speak. It's like saying you have very, very little energy and you feel very sad. You might hear this in simple stories or see it in basic vocabulary lists about emotions. Try to use it sparingly, as 'triste' is usually enough for most basic conversations. However, knowing 'déprimé' helps you understand when people are talking about more serious feelings. It's a great 'power word' to add to your early vocabulary to show you can express more than just basic happiness or sadness. Keep it simple and focus on the 'I am' form for now.

As an A2 learner, you can start using 'être déprimé' in simple sentences with reasons. For example, 'Je suis déprimé parce qu'il pleut' (I am depressed because it's raining). You should be comfortable with the agreement: 'il est déprimé', 'elle est déprimée', 'ils sont déprimés'. You also start to see how it differs from 'être fatigué' (to be tired). While you might be tired after work, being 'déprimé' is about your heart and mind. You might use it to talk about your friends too: 'Mon ami est déprimé en ce moment'. It's important to start noticing the auxiliary verb 'être'. Some learners try to use 'avoir', but that's a mistake. You 'are' the state of being depressed. You can also use adverbs like 'un peu' (a little) to soften the meaning: 'Je suis un peu déprimé'. This makes your French sound more natural. At this level, you should also be able to ask a question: 'Pourquoi es-tu déprimé ?'. This allows for basic social interaction about feelings, which is a key skill at the A2 level.

At the B1 level, you are expected to handle more nuanced conversations. 'Être déprimé' becomes a tool for discussing mental health, personal struggles, and social issues. You should be able to use it in different tenses, like the imparfait: 'Quand j'habitais seul, j'étais souvent déprimé' (When I lived alone, I was often depressed). You also begin to understand the difference between the clinical state and the colloquial use. You can use it with more complex structures like 'avoir l'air' (to look like) or 'sembler' (to seem). For example, 'Elle semble être déprimée depuis sa rupture'. You should also be aware of synonyms like 'avoir le cafard'. At B1, you can participate in discussions about why people might be depressed in modern society, using 'être déprimé' as a central term. You are also learning to avoid common mistakes, like confusing it with 'être pressé'. Your ability to agree the adjective correctly in written French should be almost automatic by now. This word is essential for B1 because it appears frequently in news articles, radio programs, and intermediate-level literature.

For B2 learners, 'être déprimé' is a word you use with precision. You can discuss the nuances between 'la déprime' (a temporary slump) and 'la dépression' (the clinical condition). You might use the phrase in the subjunctive mood: 'Il est possible qu'il soit déprimé sans le montrer'. You are also able to use more sophisticated adverbs: 'Il est profondément déprimé par l'actualité'. At this level, you should be comfortable using the word in professional or academic contexts, such as discussing the psychological impact of unemployment. You can compare 'être déprimé' with more literary terms like 'être en proie à la mélancolie' or 'être accablé'. You understand how the word functions in different registers, from a casual conversation with a friend to a formal report. You also start to use the word in more abstract ways, perhaps describing the 'déprime collective' of a nation during a crisis. Your control over the grammar, including complex agreements and structures, should be very high. You can also use the word to provide advice or empathy in a nuanced way, showing a deep understanding of French social norms regarding emotional expression.

At the C1 level, you have a near-native command of the term 'être déprimé'. You can analyze its use in classical and contemporary French literature, noting how the portrayal of being 'déprimé' has evolved over centuries. You can use the term in complex rhetorical structures and understand its subtle connotations in various social classes. You might discuss the 'médicalisation' of the term or its role in the 'société de la performance'. Your vocabulary is rich enough that you don't just rely on 'être déprimé'; you choose it specifically when it's the most appropriate term, or you opt for more obscure synonyms to provide stylistic variety. You can use the word in hypothetical scenarios with the conditional: 'Si je perdais mon emploi, je serais sans doute déprimé'. You also understand the cultural specificities of depression in France, such as the high consumption of antidepressants and how this reflects on the phrase's usage. Your written French is flawless, and you can incorporate the term into high-level essays or professional psychological discussions with ease. You are also sensitive to the word's impact and can use it with the necessary tact in sensitive situations.

At the C2 level, your mastery of 'être déprimé' is complete. You can use it with the same flexibility and nuance as a highly educated native speaker. You are aware of the word's etymological roots and how they influence its current meaning. You can engage in deep philosophical or scientific debates about the nature of 'être déprimé', citing various schools of thought. You can use the term in creative writing to evoke specific atmospheres, perhaps playing with its literal and figurative meanings. You understand the most subtle puns or wordplay involving 'déprimé'. Your pronunciation is perfect, including the subtle intonations that convey different degrees of the state. You can effortlessly switch between formal medical discourse and the most informal slang alternatives, knowing exactly which is appropriate for any given context. For you, 'être déprimé' is not just a vocabulary item but a building block of a sophisticated emotional and intellectual landscape. You can also mentor others on the use of the word, explaining its historical context and its place within the broader French linguistic system with authority and clarity.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

être déprimé in 30 Seconds

Used to express deep sadness or clinical depression.
Must agree in gender and number with the subject.
Commonly used in both medical and informal contexts.
Often confused with 'être pressé' (to be in a hurry).

The expression être déprimé is a fundamental part of the French emotional vocabulary, primarily used to describe a state of deep sadness, despondency, or clinical depression. While in English we might loosely say we are 'depressed' when we are just having a bad day, in French, être déprimé often carries a slightly heavier weight, though it is still frequently used in everyday conversation to express significant low spirits. It is composed of the auxiliary verb être (to be) and the past participle déprimé, which functions as an adjective. This means it must agree in gender and number with the subject of the sentence. For example, a woman would say je suis déprimée with an extra 'e'.

Clinical Context: In a medical or psychological context, être déprimé refers to the pathological state of depression (la dépression). Doctors use this to diagnose patients who exhibit symptoms of chronic fatigue, loss of interest, and persistent sadness.
Colloquial Usage: Informally, people use it to describe a temporary but intense 'slump'. If someone has a lot of work and no vacation, they might say Je suis un peu déprimé en ce moment (I'm a bit depressed lately).

Depuis que son chat est parti, Marc semble vraiment être déprimé.

Understanding the nuance between être triste (to be sad) and être déprimé is crucial for B1 learners. Sadness is often a reaction to a specific event, whereas being déprimé implies a more pervasive or lasting state of mind. It is also important to distinguish it from être pressé (to be in a hurry), which sounds vaguely similar to English speakers but has a completely different meaning. Culturally, the French are often perceived as being more open to discussing 'le spleen' or existential sadness, making this a common phrase in literature and cinema.

Elle a l'air d' être déprimée à cause du temps gris à Paris.

In summary, use this word when the feeling of sadness goes beyond a simple 'I'm sad' and touches upon a deeper lack of energy or hope. It is a versatile term that fits both formal medical discussions and heart-to-heart conversations with friends. As you progress in French, you will find that the French language has many colorful idioms for this state, but être déprimé remains the standard, most accurate way to convey this emotion across all registers of speech.

Il ne faut pas être déprimé pour si peu, la vie est belle !

Synonym Focus: Often compared with 'avoir le cafard' (to have the cockroach), which is a slang way of saying you're feeling down or depressed.

Regarder les nouvelles me fait être déprimé toute la journée.

Nous ne voulons pas que tu puisses être déprimé pendant tes vacances.

Using être déprimé correctly requires a solid grasp of French adjective agreement and the conjugation of the verb être. Since déprimé acts as a past participle used as an adjective, it must match the subject in both gender (masculine/feminine) and number (singular/plural). This is a common point of error for English speakers who are not used to verbs or their components changing based on the person being described.

Masculine Singular: Je suis déprimé. (I am depressed - male speaker)
Feminine Singular: Elle est déprimée. (She is depressed - add 'e')
Plural Forms: Ils sont déprimés (masc. plural), Elles sont déprimées (fem. plural).

The phrase is often modified by adverbs to indicate the degree of depression. Common adverbs include un peu (a bit), très (very), profondément (profoundly), or tellement (so much). For example, Il est profondément déprimé par la situation actuelle emphasizes the depth of the emotion. When using it in the negative, the ne... pas surrounds the conjugated verb être: Je ne suis pas déprimé.

Tu sembles être déprimé ce matin, est-ce que tout va bien ?

You will also see this phrase used with semi-auxiliary verbs like sembler (to seem), paraître (to appear), or avoir l'air (to look/seem). In these cases, the agreement still applies to the subject. Elle a l'air déprimée (She looks depressed). It can also be used in the infinitive form after prepositions like sans or pour. Example: Il est difficile de ne pas être déprimé par ces nouvelles (It's hard not to be depressed by this news).

Il est rare de le voir être déprimé car il est d'un naturel joyeux.

In more complex sentence structures, such as the subjunctive mood, the conjugation changes but the participle déprimé remains subject to agreement. Je crains qu'il ne soit déprimé (I fear that he might be depressed). This versatility allows speakers to express various nuances of concern and observation. When writing, pay close attention to the final 'e' or 's' as they are often silent in spoken French but vital for correct orthography.

Sophie craignait d' être déprimée après son déménagement.

Finally, consider the cause of the state. You can use par (by) or à cause de (because of) to link the state to its origin. Il est déprimé par l'échec de son projet. Using these connectors helps build longer, more descriptive sentences that move beyond simple B1 levels into more advanced B2 territory.

À force de rester seul, il a fini par être déprimé.

Personne ne souhaite être déprimé pendant les fêtes de fin d'année.

The phrase être déprimé is ubiquitous in French life, appearing in media, literature, medical consultations, and intimate social circles. Because the French culture places a high value on discussing one's inner state and emotions, you will hear this term much more frequently than its equivalent might be heard in more stoic cultures. In the doctor's office (chez le médecin), it is the standard way to describe symptoms of depression. A doctor might ask, Vous sentez-vous déprimé ? (Do you feel depressed?).

In French Cinema: French films, known for their focus on dialogue and psychology, often feature characters who are 'déprimés'. It serves as a plot driver for character development and existential reflection.
In the Workplace: With the rising awareness of 'burnout', colleagues might use this term to describe someone who is struggling with the pressure of professional life.

In popular music (la chanson française), 'être déprimé' is a recurring theme. Artists like Stromae or Angèle often touch upon mental health, using this vocabulary to connect with a younger generation that is increasingly vocal about their feelings. On news broadcasts, you might hear it in reports about the 'moral des Français' (the morale of the French people), especially during economic crises or periods of social unrest. The term is not just personal; it can describe a collective mood.

Dans ce film, le personnage principal semble être déprimé sans raison apparente.

Socially, if a friend cancels plans last minute, they might text Désolé, je suis un peu déprimé ce soir, je préfère rester chez moi. In this context, it's a socially acceptable way to ask for space. It's also found in literature, from the classic 'mal du siècle' of the Romantics to modern novels exploring the complexities of urban life. Even in podcasts focusing on wellness and personal development, you'll hear experts discussing how to avoid être déprimé through mindfulness and lifestyle changes.

Le journaliste a dit que toute la population commençait à être déprimée.

Lastly, you'll encounter it in the classroom. Teachers often use it as an example of a word with regular agreement rules. Because it's a word that students quickly relate to, it becomes a staple in early-intermediate French curriculum. Whether you are reading a magazine like 'Psychologies' or watching a YouTube vlog, être déprimé is a key term for navigating the landscape of French emotions.

Il est normal d' être déprimé après une rupture amoureuse difficile.

On entend souvent les gens dire qu'ils vont être déprimés si l'hiver dure trop longtemps.

Even for B1 learners, the expression être déprimé can be a bit of a linguistic minefield. The most common mistakes usually involve grammar, false friends, or using the wrong auxiliary verb. Understanding these pitfalls early on will help you sound more like a native speaker and avoid confusing your listeners.

The 'Avoir' Mistake: English speakers often want to use 'avoir' (to have) because we 'have' depression. In French, you 'are' depressed. Saying J'ai déprimé is a different tense (passé composé of 'déprimer') and means 'I was depressed' or 'I went through a depression', but to describe your current state, you must use Je suis déprimé.
Agreement Errors: As mentioned, 'déprimé' is an adjective. Forgetting the 'e' for a woman or the 's' for a group is a frequent error. Marie est déprimé is incorrect; it must be Marie est déprimée.

Another major pitfall is the confusion with 'être pressé'. Because 'pressé' sounds like 'depressed' to an English ear, learners sometimes say Je suis pressé when they mean they are sad. However, être pressé means 'to be in a hurry'. This can lead to very confusing situations where you think you're sharing your feelings but you're actually telling someone you need to leave quickly!

Attention à ne pas être déprimé quand vous vouliez dire que vous étiez pressé !

Misusing the word 'déprimant' is another common slip-up. Je suis déprimant means 'I am depressing' (as in, I make others feel sad). Unless you are being very self-critical, you probably want to say Je suis déprimé (I am depressed). Similarly, don't confuse déprimer (the verb) with dépenser (to spend). They sound somewhat similar to beginners but have zero connection in meaning.

Elle ne veut pas être déprimée, alors elle évite de lire les journaux.

Lastly, avoid overusing the word for minor setbacks. While French people do use it colloquially, calling yourself déprimé because a bakery was out of your favorite croissant might come off as overly dramatic (though some might find it typically French!). Use déçu (disappointed) or embêté (annoyed) for smaller inconveniences to maintain the proper emotional weight of être déprimé.

Il est fréquent d' être déprimé par erreur de grammaire, mais il faut persévérer.

On peut être déprimé sans pour autant être malade cliniquement.

French offers a rich palette of words to describe sadness and low spirits. While être déprimé is the most direct translation of 'to be depressed', exploring its synonyms and alternatives will allow you to express the exact 'shade' of your mood. Depending on the intensity and the context, you might choose a different term.

Avoir le cafard: This is a very common idiomatic expression. Literally 'to have the cockroach', it means feeling gloomy or down. It's less medical than être déprimé and very common in casual speech.
Être triste: The simplest alternative. Sadness is usually a reaction to something specific and is often less long-lasting than being 'déprimé'.
Être mélancolique: This suggests a more poetic or thoughtful kind of sadness, often without a clear cause. It's a 'bittersweet' feeling.

For more intense states, you might use être au bout du rouleau (to be at the end of one's rope/completely exhausted) or être anéanti (to be devastated). If someone is just feeling a bit 'blah', they might say je n'ai pas le moral (I don't have the morale/spirit). This is a very natural way to say you're not feeling your best without using a heavy word like déprimé.

Au lieu d' être déprimé, il essaie de rester positif malgré tout.

In a professional setting, you might hear être en burnout or être épuisé. While these aren't synonyms for depression, they often overlap. If you are talking about the weather, you could say le temps est déprimant (the weather is depressing), but remember that the weather itself cannot être déprimé—only people (and sometimes animals) can feel that way.

Il est parfois plus simple de dire qu'on a le cafard que d' être déprimé.

Knowing when to use être déprimé versus être malheureux (to be unhappy) is also key. Malheureux is a very broad term that can apply to a situation or a person's general life state, whereas déprimé focuses on the psychological and emotional feeling of low energy and hopelessness. By mastering these nuances, you'll be able to communicate your feelings (or describe others') with much greater precision.

On peut être déprimé un jour et très heureux le lendemain.

Elle déteste être déprimée car elle perd toute sa créativité.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The word originally referred to the physical act of pushing something down before it was applied to the psychological state of 'feeling down' in the 18th century.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ɛtʁ de.pʁi.me/

US /ɛtʁ de.pʁi.me/

In French, the stress is generally on the last syllable of the word group: dé-pri-MÉ.

Rhymes With

aimé fermé animé confirmé estimé imprimé réprimé sublimé

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'é' like 'ee' in 'see'.
Making the 'r' too hard like an English 'r'.
Forgetting to pronounce the 't' in 'être' clearly.
Adding a 'd' sound at the end of 'déprimé'.
Pronouncing 'déprimé' like 'depressed' (with an 'est' sound).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize because it looks like 'depressed' but requires understanding context.

Writing 4/5

Requires careful attention to gender and number agreement.

Speaking 3/5

Pronunciation of the 'r' and 'é' can be tricky for beginners.

Listening 3/5

Can be confused with 'pressé' or 'déprimant' in fast speech.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

être triste malheureux fatigué sentir

Learn Next

la dépression déprimant avoir le cafard le moral se sentir

Advanced

mélancolie accablé anéanti prostration neurasthénie

Grammar to Know

Adjective Agreement

Elle est déprimée (f), Ils sont déprimés (m.pl).

Subjunctive after emotions

Je suis triste qu'il soit déprimé.

Imparfait for states

À cette époque, j'étais souvent déprimé.

Negation with 'ne... pas'

Il ne faut pas être déprimé.

Infinitive after prepositions

Il est fatigué d'être déprimé.

Examples by Level

Je suis déprimé aujourd'hui.

I am depressed today.

Basic 'être' conjugation in the present tense.

Elle est déprimée.

She is depressed.

Note the feminine agreement 'déprimée' with 'Elle'.

Tu es déprimé ?

Are you depressed?

Simple question structure using 'tu es'.

Nous sommes déprimés.

We are depressed.

Plural agreement 'déprimés' with 'Nous'.

Il n'est pas déprimé.

He is not depressed.

Negative structure with 'ne... pas'.

Marie est un peu déprimée.

Marie is a bit depressed.

Use of 'un peu' as an adverb.

Ils sont très déprimés.

They are very depressed.

Use of 'très' to intensify the adjective.

Je ne veux pas être déprimé.

I don't want to be depressed.

Infinitive 'être' after the verb 'vouloir'.

Il est déprimé parce qu'il a perdu son livre.

He is depressed because he lost his book.

Using 'parce que' to give a reason.

Est-ce que tu es déprimée à cause du froid ?

Are you depressed because of the cold?

Using 'à cause de' for a cause.

Je suis déprimé quand il pleut beaucoup.

I am depressed when it rains a lot.

Temporal clause with 'quand'.

Elle semble être déprimée ce matin.

She seems to be depressed this morning.

Using 'sembler' followed by the infinitive.

Mes parents sont déprimés par les nouvelles.

My parents are depressed by the news.

Passive-like structure with 'par'.

Tu ne dois pas être déprimé pour ça.

You shouldn't be depressed for that.

Modal verb 'devoir' in the negative.

Elle était déprimée hier soir.

She was depressed last night.

Imparfait tense for a past state.

Nous serons déprimés si nous perdons le match.

We will be depressed if we lose the match.

Future tense 'serons' with a conditional 'si' clause.

Il est difficile de ne pas être déprimé par la situation économique.

It is difficult not to be depressed by the economic situation.

Impersonal 'il est + adjective + de' structure.

Bien qu'elle soit riche, elle semble souvent être déprimée.

Although she is rich, she often seems to be depressed.

Subjunctive mood after 'bien que'.

Je crains qu'il ne soit déprimé depuis son licenciement.

I fear that he has been depressed since his layoff.

Subjunctive mood with 'ne explétif' after 'craindre'.

Si tu continues comme ça, tu vas finir par être déprimé.

If you continue like this, you're going to end up being depressed.

Idiomatic 'finir par' + infinitive.

Elle a l'air d'être déprimée, nous devrions lui parler.

She looks like she's depressed, we should talk to her.

Idiom 'avoir l'air de' + infinitive.

Il est souvent déprimé pendant les mois d'hiver.

He is often depressed during the winter months.

Adverb placement 'souvent' after the verb.

Personne ne veut être déprimé pendant ses vacances.

Nobody wants to be depressed during their vacation.

Negative pronoun 'personne' as subject.

Elle était profondément déprimée par la perte de son amie.

She was deeply depressed by the loss of her friend.

Use of the adverb 'profondément'.

Le médecin a confirmé qu'il commençait à être déprimé cliniquement.

The doctor confirmed that he was starting to be clinically depressed.

Reporting speech with 'que'.

Il est rare qu'elle soit déprimée, car elle est d'un naturel optimiste.

It is rare for her to be depressed, as she is naturally optimistic.

Subjunctive mood after 'il est rare que'.

Le film traite d'un homme qui refuse d'être déprimé malgré ses malheurs.

The film is about a man who refuses to be depressed despite his misfortunes.

Relative clause with 'qui'.

À force de lire ces articles, on finit par être déprimé par l'humanité.

By dint of reading these articles, one ends up being depressed by humanity.

Expression 'à force de' followed by infinitive.

Elle craignait d'être déprimée si elle restait dans cette ville grise.

She feared being depressed if she stayed in this gray city.

Conditional 'si' clause with imparfait.

Il ne suffit pas de dire 'ne sois pas déprimé' pour aider quelqu'un.

It's not enough to say 'don't be depressed' to help someone.

Imperative mood 'sois' in a quoted phrase.

Beaucoup de gens semblent être déprimés par le manque de perspectives.

Many people seem to be depressed by the lack of prospects.

Agreement with the collective subject 'beaucoup de gens'.

Elle s'est rendu compte qu'elle commençait à être déprimée sans raison.

She realized that she was starting to be depressed for no reason.

Pronominal verb 'se rendre compte' followed by 'que'.

L'auteur explore ce que signifie être déprimé dans une société de consommation.

The author explores what it means to be depressed in a consumer society.

Abstract noun-like use of the infinitive phrase.

Il est impératif d'agir avant que le patient ne commence à être réellement déprimé.

It is imperative to act before the patient starts to be truly depressed.

Subjunctive mood with 'avant que' and 'ne explétif'.

On ne saurait être déprimé sans que cela n'affecte notre entourage.

One cannot be depressed without it affecting those around us.

Formal 'on ne saurait' + infinitive.

Cette œuvre dépeint la mélancolie de ceux qui sont condamnés à être déprimés.

This work depicts the melancholy of those who are condemned to be depressed.

Relative clause with 'ceux qui'.

Bien qu'il s'en défende, il donne l'impression d'être profondément déprimé.

Although he denies it, he gives the impression of being deeply depressed.

Concessive clause with 'bien que' and 'en'.

Le risque d'être déprimé augmente avec l'isolement social prolongé.

The risk of being depressed increases with prolonged social isolation.

Noun phrase 'le risque d'être déprimé'.

Elle a fini par être déprimée par la vacuité de son existence mondaine.

She ended up being depressed by the emptiness of her social existence.

Use of high-level vocabulary like 'vacuité' and 'mondaine'.

Nul ne peut prétendre ne jamais avoir risqué d'être déprimé.

No one can claim to have never risked being depressed.

Formal 'nul' as a negative subject.

L'ontologie de l'être déprimé soulève des questions métaphysiques fondamentales.

The ontology of being depressed raises fundamental metaphysical questions.

Philosophical use of the infinitive as a substantive.

Il s'agit moins d'être déprimé que de subir le poids d'une existence sans relief.

It is less about being depressed than about suffering the weight of a featureless existence.

Comparative structure 'moins... que'.

Peut-on être déprimé par essence, ou n'est-ce qu'une construction sociale ?

Can one be depressed by essence, or is it merely a social construction?

Interrogative form with 'par essence'.

L'aliénation moderne conduit inévitablement l'individu à être déprimé.

Modern alienation inevitably leads the individual to be depressed.

Transitive verb 'conduire' + object + 'à'.

Il est fascinant de voir comment le concept d'être déprimé a évolué depuis Freud.

It is fascinating to see how the concept of being depressed has evolved since Freud.

Indirect question with 'comment'.

Sous son apparente joie, on devine une propension tragique à être déprimé.

Beneath his apparent joy, one senses a tragic propensity to be depressed.

Prepositional phrase 'sous son apparente joie'.

La littérature existentialiste se gargarise de l'idée d'être déprimé face au néant.

Existentialist literature revels in the idea of being depressed in the face of nothingness.

Idiomatic verb 'se gargariser de'.

Qu'on le veuille ou non, être déprimé fait partie de la condition humaine.

Whether one likes it or not, being depressed is part of the human condition.

Fixed expression 'qu'on le veuille ou non'.

Common Collocations

être profondément déprimé

être un peu déprimé

sembler être déprimé

finir par être déprimé

être déprimé par le temps

être cliniquement déprimé

être souvent déprimé

ne pas vouloir être déprimé

être déprimé sans raison

être visiblement déprimé

Common Phrases

C'est déprimant.

— Used to say that a situation or something is depressing. It describes the object, not the person.

Regarder la pluie toute la journée, c'est déprimant.

Ne sois pas déprimé.

— A common way to tell someone to cheer up. It uses the imperative form of 'être'.

Ne sois pas déprimé, tout va s'arranger.

Il n'y a pas de quoi être déprimé.

— Used to say there's no reason to feel sad. It's a way of minimizing a problem.

Tu as juste perdu tes clés, il n'y a pas de quoi être déprimé.

J'ai l'air d'être déprimé ?

— A question asked to see if one's sadness is visible to others.

Pourquoi tu me regardes comme ça ? J'ai l'air d'être déprimé ?

Tout le monde peut être déprimé.

— A phrase used to normalize the feeling of depression. It's empathetic.

Ne t'en fais pas, tout le monde peut être déprimé un jour ou l'autre.

Ça me déprime.

— Literally 'that depresses me'. It's a very common way to react to bad news.

Entendre parler de la guerre, ça me déprime.

Il est en pleine déprime.

— Used to say someone is currently going through a significant depressive phase.

Laisse-le tranquille, il est en pleine déprime.

Sortir de la déprime.

— To recover from a state of being depressed. It's a positive goal.

Il a besoin d'aide pour sortir de la déprime.

Une mine déprimée.

— A facial expression that looks depressed. It uses 'déprimé' as an adjective for 'mine'.

Il est arrivé avec une mine déprimée ce matin.

Un état déprimé.

— A formal way to describe the condition of being depressed.

Le patient est dans un état déprimé depuis son opération.

Often Confused With

être déprimé vs être pressé

English speakers confuse 'depressed' with 'pressé' because of the sound, but 'pressé' means 'in a hurry'.

être déprimé vs déprimant

'Déprimant' describes the cause (a thing), 'déprimé' describes the person.

être déprimé vs décevant

Means 'disappointing', which is much lighter than 'déprimé'.

Idioms & Expressions

"avoir le cafard"

— To feel gloomy or sad. The 'cockroach' represents dark thoughts.

Dès qu'il pleut, j'ai le cafard.

informal

"avoir le bourdon"

— To have the blues. 'Bourdon' refers to the low humming sound of a bumblebee.

Il a le bourdon parce que ses amis sont partis.

informal

"être au bout du rouleau"

— To be at the end of one's rope; to be completely worn out and depressed.

Elle travaille trop, elle est au bout du rouleau.

informal

"broyer du noir"

— To dwell on gloomy thoughts; to be very depressed. Literally 'to grind black'.

Arrête de broyer du noir et sors un peu !

neutral

"avoir la tête dans le sac"

— To feel overwhelmed and depressed. Literally 'to have one's head in the bag'.

Depuis son échec, il a la tête dans le sac.

informal

"ne pas avoir le moral"

— To be in low spirits. A very common way to say you're feeling down.

Je n'ai pas le moral aujourd'hui, je reste au lit.

neutral

"être dans le trou"

— To be in a deep slump or very depressed. Literally 'to be in the hole'.

Après sa faillite, il était vraiment dans le trou.

slang

"voir tout en noir"

— To see only the negative side of things; to be pessimistic and depressed.

Il est tellement déprimé qu'il voit tout en noir.

neutral

"avoir un coup de blues"

— To have a sudden feeling of sadness or depression. Borrowed from English 'blues'.

C'est normal d'avoir un coup de blues le dimanche soir.

informal

"être miné"

— To be worn down or eroded by sadness or worry. Literally 'to be mined'.

Il est miné par ses soucis financiers.

neutral

Easily Confused

être déprimé vs déprimant

Both come from the same root and relate to depression.

'Déprimé' is how you feel (adjective for people). 'Déprimant' is how something makes you feel (adjective for things).

Ce film est déprimant, je suis déprimé.

être déprimé vs pressé

Sounds like 'depressed'.

'Pressé' means in a hurry. It has nothing to do with sadness.

Je suis pressé, je dois partir !

être déprimé vs dépensé

Similar beginning sound 'dé-p...'.

'Dépensé' is the past participle of 'dépenser' (to spend money).

J'ai trop dépensé ce mois-ci.

être déprimé vs déprimé (verb vs adjective)

It can be both the past participle and the adjective.

As a verb in passé composé: 'J'ai déprimé' (I went through a depression). As an adjective: 'Je suis déprimé'.

Il a déprimé pendant un an.

être déprimé vs triste

Both mean unhappy.

'Triste' is a general, often temporary sadness. 'Déprimé' is deeper and more persistent.

Je suis triste d'avoir perdu mon stylo.

Sentence Patterns

Je suis + déprimé.

Je suis déprimé.

Il est + déprimé + parce que...

Il est déprimé parce qu'il pleut.

Il est + difficile + de ne pas + être déprimé.

Il est difficile de ne pas être déprimé.

Avoir l'air + d'être déprimé.

Tu as l'air d'être déprimé.

Finir par + être déprimé.

Il a fini par être déprimé.

Bien que + sujet + soit + déprimé.

Bien qu'il soit déprimé, il sourit.

Le risque d'être + déprimé.

Le risque d'être déprimé est réel.

L'ontologie de + l'être déprimé.

L'ontologie de l'être déprimé est complexe.

Word Family

Nouns

la dépression (depression)

la déprime (slump/low spirits)

le déprimé (the depressed person)

Verbs

déprimer (to depress/to become depressed)

Adjectives

déprimé (depressed)

déprimant (depressing)

pressé

comprimé

imprimer

réprimer

opprimer

How to Use It

frequency

Very high in emotional and social contexts.

Common Mistakes

J'ai déprimé. → Je suis déprimé.
In French, we 'are' depressed (state), we don't 'have' it in the same way as English.
Elle est déprimé. → Elle est déprimée.
The adjective must agree with the feminine subject 'Elle'.
Je suis pressé. → Je suis déprimé.
Common confusion because 'pressé' sounds like 'depressed', but it means 'in a hurry'.
C'est une personne déprimante. → C'est une personne déprimée.
'Déprimante' means the person makes others sad. 'Déprimée' means the person is sad.
Je suis déprimé de le temps. → Je suis déprimé par le temps.
Use the preposition 'par' or 'à cause de' to indicate the cause.

Tips

Agreement is Key

Always remember that 'déprimé' is an adjective. Check your subject: Je (m) = déprimé, Je (f) = déprimée, Ils = déprimés, Elles = déprimées.

Use Adverbs

To sound more like a native, use adverbs: 'un peu déprimé', 'vraiment déprimé', 'tellement déprimé'.

Don't Be Afraid

French people talk about their feelings quite openly. Saying 'je suis déprimé' isn't as 'shocking' as it might be in some other cultures.

Déprimé vs Déprimant

Remember: People are 'déprimés'. Situations, movies, or news are 'déprimants'.

Soft R

Practice the French 'r' in the middle of 'déprimé'. It should be a soft vibration in the back of your throat.

Listen for 'Être'

When you hear 'être' before 'déprimé', you know it's a description of a current state.

Spelling

Don't forget the accent on the 'é'. It changes the pronunciation and the meaning.

Deep Press

Think of being 'deeply pressed' down by a heavy cloud. That's 'déprimé'.

Avoid 'Avoir'

Never say 'J'ai déprimé' to mean 'I am depressed'. It must be 'Je suis déprimé'.

Casual Alternative

If 'déprimé' feels too heavy, use 'je n'ai pas le moral'.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'de-pressing' a button. When you are 'déprimé', your mood is pressed down deep into the ground.

Visual Association

Imagine a person standing in a hole (un trou) with a heavy weight on their shoulders pressing them down.

Word Web

triste malheureux cafard dépression psychologie émotion santé moral

Challenge

Try to use 'être déprimé' in three different tenses (present, past, future) while describing a fictional character's life journey.

Word Origin

From the Latin 'deprimere', which means 'to press down' or 'to sink'. It is composed of 'de-' (down) and 'premere' (to press).

Original meaning: The original meaning in French was literal: to press something down physically.

Romance (Latin-based).

Cultural Context

Be careful when using this word with people you don't know well, as it can sound like a serious medical admission. In casual settings, 'je n'ai pas le moral' is safer.

In many English-speaking cultures, people might say 'I'm depressed' casually, but 'être déprimé' in French can sometimes feel a bit more formal or serious unless used with 'un peu'.

Charles Baudelaire's poems about 'Spleen'. The song 'Déprime' by various French artists. The film 'Le Fabuleux Destin d'Amélie Poulain' features characters who are lonely and somewhat déprimés.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Medical consultation

Je me sens déprimé.
Depuis quand êtes-vous déprimé ?
Est-ce que vous dormez bien ?
C'est une déprime passagère.

Talking with a friend

Ça va ? Tu as l'air déprimé.
Je suis un peu déprimé ce soir.
Ne sois pas déprimé, on va sortir !
Qu'est-ce qui te rend déprimé ?

Discussing the news

C'est déprimant de voir ça.
Tout le monde est déprimé par l'économie.
Les gens sont de plus en plus déprimés.
Il ne faut pas être déprimé par l'actualité.

Workplace

Il est déprimé par la charge de travail.
L'ambiance au bureau est déprimante.
Elle a fini par être déprimée par son chef.
Le burnout peut faire qu'on est déprimé.

Weather and Seasons

L'hiver me rend déprimé.
Je suis déprimé quand il n'y a pas de soleil.
C'est un temps à être déprimé.
Le manque de lumière fait qu'on est déprimé.

Conversation Starters

"Est-ce que tu penses qu'il est normal d'être déprimé parfois ?"

"Qu'est-ce que tu fais quand tu commences à être déprimé ?"

"Est-ce que le temps gris te fait être déprimé ?"

"Penses-tu que les réseaux sociaux nous font être déprimés ?"

"Comment aider un ami qui semble être déprimé ?"

Journal Prompts

Décris une fois où tu as été déprimé et comment tu as retrouvé la joie.

Est-ce que tu penses que la société moderne nous pousse à être déprimés ?

Quels sont les petits plaisirs de la vie qui t'empêchent d'être déprimé ?

Imagine un monde où personne ne peut être déprimé. Est-ce une bonne chose ?

Écris une lettre à un ami qui est déprimé pour l'encourager.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

It is neutral and can be used in almost any context, from a doctor's office to a talk with friends.

In French, you say 'je suis déprimé' or 'je souffre de dépression'. 'J'ai la dépression' is less common.

The feminine form is 'déprimée'. You add an 'e' at the end.

No, for a situation, use 'déprimant'. 'La situation est déprimante'.

'Avoir le cafard' is more idiomatic and informal, often used for a temporary 'down' mood.

You say 'Je ne suis pas déprimé'.

Yes, you can say 'Mon chien est déprimé' if he seems sad and lethargic.

No, it is often used colloquially to mean 'very sad' or 'feeling down'.

'Malheureux' means unhappy in general, while 'déprimé' focuses on the low energy and psychological state.

Like the 'e' in 'café'. It is a short, sharp sound.