It describes a persistent, heavy, and gloomy state of mind.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Used to describe a gloomy or heavy heart.
- Commonly associated with Monday mornings or bad weather.
- Expresses a persistent state of being down.
Overview
- 1概要：「憂鬱（ゆううつ）」は、心が晴れず、気分がふさいでいる状態を指す形容動詞です。単なる悲しみよりも、重苦しさや晴れない霧の中にいるような感覚を伴うことが多いです。2) 使用パターン：「憂鬱な気分」「憂鬱な日」「憂鬱な仕事」のように、名詞を修飾する形で頻繁に使われます。また、「憂鬱になる」という動詞的な使い方も一般的です。3) 一般的な文脈：月曜日の朝の出社前や、天気が続く梅雨の時期、あるいは気が進まないイベントの前日など、心理的負担を感じる場面で使われます。4) 類語との比較：「暗い」は性格や環境にも使えますが、「憂鬱」はあくまで心理状態に焦点を当てます。「悲しい」は出来事に対する感情ですが、「憂鬱」はより持続的で漠然とした重さを持ちます。
Examples
月曜日の朝はいつも憂鬱だ。
everydayI always feel gloomy on Monday mornings.
雨が続くと、気分が憂鬱になる。
formalWhen it rains for days, I feel melancholic.
試験の結果を考えると憂鬱な気持ちになる。
informalThinking about the exam results makes me feel depressed.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
憂鬱を吹き飛ばす
Blow away the blues
Often Confused With
Sadness is a reaction to a specific event, whereas gloominess is a more general, persistent state of mind.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
This word is used to describe a state of mind that is not necessarily clinical depression but a heavy, gloomy feeling. It is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts. It is a very common way to express a lack of motivation or a heavy heart.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use it for simple sadness. Remember that it implies a sense of weight or duration. Also, ensure you can recognize the kanji, even if you don't write it by hand often.
Tips
Focus on the feeling of weight
Think of 'yuuutsu' as a heavy cloud hanging over your mind. It is not just sadness, but a feeling of lethargy and gloom.
Avoid using it for casual sadness
Don't use it for minor disappointments like dropping an ice cream. Reserve it for deeper, more persistent feelings.
The cultural weight of the word
In Japan, expressing 'yuuutsu' is often a way to share a common struggle, like the rainy season, fostering empathy.
Word Origin
Derived from Chinese characters where '憂' means grief and '鬱' means dense or stagnant, representing a mind that is blocked or stuck.
Cultural Context
In Japanese society, there is a cultural tendency to share 'yuuutsu' about seasonal changes, like the rainy season, which creates a sense of shared experience among people.
Memory Tip
Think of 'You (yuu) need to 'u' (oo) to get over the 'tsu' (tsu) gloom'. It sounds like a heavy sigh.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions「悲しい」は何か特定の出来事に対して感じる感情ですが、「憂鬱」は理由がはっきりしないことも含め、心が晴れない重苦しい状態が続くことを指します。
はい、非常によく使われます。特に月曜日の朝など、仕事や学校へ行くのが気が重い時に使われる定番のフレーズです。
両方で使われます。日常会話でも使いますが、文学的な響きもあるため、小説や日記などでもよく見かける表現です。
画数が多く難しい漢字ですが、日常的に使われるため、読めるようにしておくことが重要です。書く際は「憂」の形に注意しましょう。
Test Yourself
月曜日の朝は、誰でも___気分になるものだ。
月曜日の朝は仕事や学校が始まり、気が重いため「憂鬱」が適切です。
Score: /1
Summary
It describes a persistent, heavy, and gloomy state of mind.
- Used to describe a gloomy or heavy heart.
- Commonly associated with Monday mornings or bad weather.
- Expresses a persistent state of being down.
Focus on the feeling of weight
Think of 'yuuutsu' as a heavy cloud hanging over your mind. It is not just sadness, but a feeling of lethargy and gloom.
Avoid using it for casual sadness
Don't use it for minor disappointments like dropping an ice cream. Reserve it for deeper, more persistent feelings.
The cultural weight of the word
In Japan, expressing 'yuuutsu' is often a way to share a common struggle, like the rainy season, fostering empathy.
Examples
3 of 3月曜日の朝はいつも憂鬱だ。
I always feel gloomy on Monday mornings.
雨が続くと、気分が憂鬱になる。
When it rains for days, I feel melancholic.
試験の結果を考えると憂鬱な気持ちになる。
Thinking about the exam results makes me feel depressed.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Vocabulary
More emotions words
ぼんやり
B1Vaguely; absentmindedly; dimly.
夢中
B1Absorption; engrossment; infatuation.
受け止める
B1To accept; to take; to grasp.
達成感
B1Sense of accomplishment.
ひしひしと
B1Acutely; keenly; strongly (feeling something).
適応する
B1To adapt; to adjust.
健気な
B2Brave, admirable, or plucky (especially of a weaker person).
感心な
B1Admirable; deserving admiration.
感心
B1Admiration, impression, or being impressed.
感心する
B1To be impressed; to admire.
