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A2 verb 12 min read

deprimir-se

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips deprimir-se in 30 Seconds

Explanation deprimir-se in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should focus on the basic meaning of 'deprimir-se' as 'to feel very sad'. While you might not use this complex reflexive verb often yourself, you should recognize it when people talk about their feelings. Think of it as a stronger version of 'ficar triste' (to stay sad). At this stage, just remember that the 'se' at the end means the person is talking about themselves or someone else's internal feelings. You might see it in simple stories or hear it in basic conversations about health and emotions. It is a good word to know to understand when someone is expressing a deeper level of sadness than just a simple frown. Focus on the present tense: 'Eu me deprimo' or 'Ele se deprime'. Even if you don't use it, knowing it exists helps you build a foundation for more complex emotional vocabulary later on. It is also important to notice the connection to the English word 'depress', which makes it an easy cognate to remember, even if the grammar is a bit different due to the reflexive pronoun.

At the A2 level, you are expected to start using reflexive verbs like 'deprimir-se' in simple sentences. You should understand that the reflexive pronoun (me, te, se, nos, vos, se) must change to match the subject of the sentence. For example, 'Eu me deprimo' (I get depressed), 'Nós nos deprimimos' (We get depressed). You will likely use this verb when talking about your reactions to things, like the weather or bad news. You should also be aware of the difference between 'estar deprimido' (being in a state of depression) and 'deprimir-se' (the process of becoming depressed). Practice using it with simple triggers like 'quando' (when). For example: 'Eu me deprimo quando não vejo o sol'. This level is about building confidence with the reflexive structure and ensuring you don't forget the pronoun, which is the most common mistake for English speakers. You should also start to recognize the past tense 'se deprimiu', which you might use to describe how someone felt after a specific event in a story.

At the B1 level, you should be able to use 'deprimir-se' with more flexibility in terms of tenses and sentence structures. You should comfortably use it in the Pretérito Perfeito (specific past action) and Pretérito Imperfeito (habitual past action). For example: 'No ano passado, ele se deprimiu muito' vs 'Ele se deprimia todos os invernos'. You should also be aware of pronoun placement rules, especially the difference between Brazilian Portuguese (where 'se' usually comes before the verb) and European Portuguese (where it often follows). You can start using the verb in more complex sentences with conjunctions like 'embora' (although) or 'caso' (in case), which might require the subjunctive mood: 'Espero que ele não se deprima'. This level also involves using the verb to discuss mental health in a more nuanced way, perhaps in a conversation about work-life balance or personal challenges. You should be able to distinguish 'deprimir-se' from its synonyms like 'desanimar-se' (to get discouraged) and use the one that fits the context best.

At the B2 level, you should have a firm grasp of 'deprimir-se' in all its grammatical forms, including the conditional and future tenses. You should be able to use it in formal writing and understand the subtle shifts in meaning when it is used in different registers. For instance, you should know when to use 'deprimir-se' instead of 'ficar em baixo' to maintain a professional or academic tone. You should also be able to use the verb in the passive voice or in complex relative clauses: 'A situação pela qual ele se deprimiu era evitável'. At this level, you should also be comfortable with the 'se' placement in European Portuguese, knowing that words like 'não', 'que', and 'já' will pull the pronoun to the front (proclisis). You might also encounter the verb in more abstract contexts, such as discussing the 'depressão' of a market or a geographical area, and understand how the verb 'deprimir-se' could be metaphorically applied there, although it remains primarily an emotional verb.

At the C1 level, you should be able to use 'deprimir-se' with the precision of a native speaker, including in literary and highly formal contexts. You should be aware of rare forms like mesoclisis ('deprimir-se-á'), even if you don't use them frequently, as you might encounter them in classical literature or legal texts. Your usage should reflect an understanding of the existential and philosophical nuances the word can carry. For example, you might use it to describe a character's internal journey in an essay or a complex psychological state in a professional report. You should also be able to discuss the etymology and the relationship between the reflexive form and the transitive form ('deprimir algo/alguém') in detail. Your ability to swap 'deprimir-se' with sophisticated synonyms like 'abater-se', 'prostrar-se', or 'melancolizar-se' should be seamless, choosing the word that perfectly captures the intended emotional 'flavor'. You should also be able to identify and correct subtle errors in pronoun placement and conjugation in others' speech or writing.

At the C2 level, you have mastered 'deprimir-se' to the point where its use is instinctive and nuanced. You can use it to convey subtle irony, deep pathos, or clinical accuracy depending on the situation. You understand the historical evolution of the word and how its usage has shifted with the rise of modern psychology in the Lusophone world. You can engage in high-level debates about mental health where this verb is a key term, and you can write complex, stylistically varied texts where 'deprimir-se' is used with perfect grammatical and contextual accuracy. You are also sensitive to the regional variations across the entire Lusophone world—from Lisbon to Luanda to Rio de Janeiro—and can adapt your pronoun placement and choice of alternatives accordingly. At this level, the verb is not just a tool for communication but a brush in your linguistic palette, allowing you to paint detailed pictures of the human condition in Portuguese. You might even use it in creative writing to explore themes of 'saudade' and existential dread with the same depth as a native author.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

deprimir-se in 30 Seconds

Deprimir-se is a reflexive verb meaning to get depressed or become very sad, requiring reflexive pronouns like 'me' or 'se' to match the subject.
It differs from 'estar deprimido' because it describes the action or process of becoming depressed rather than just the current state of being.
Pronoun placement varies: in Brazil, 'me deprimo' is common, while in Portugal, 'deprimo-me' is standard unless a negative word or question word is used.
It is a versatile word used in medical contexts, casual talk about bad moods, and metaphorically for economic declines or spiritual low points.

The Portuguese verb deprimir-se is a pronominal verb that translates directly to 'to get depressed' or 'to become dejected' in English. It is fundamentally composed of the root verb deprimir (to depress or to press down) and the reflexive pronoun se, which indicates that the action of the verb is directed back at the subject. In everyday Portuguese, this word carries a weight that ranges from temporary sadness to a more serious clinical state, though it is most frequently used to describe the process of falling into a low emotional state. Understanding this verb requires recognizing that it describes a transition—a movement from a state of neutral or positive emotion into one of sadness or lack of energy.

Reflexive Nature: Because it is reflexive, you must always include the appropriate reflexive pronoun (me, te, se, nos, vos, se) based on the subject. For example, 'Eu me deprimo' (I get depressed).

Não vale a pena deprimir-se por causa de pequenos problemas quotidianos que podemos resolver com paciência.

The verb is often used when discussing the impact of external factors on one's internal world. For instance, the weather, the economy, or personal setbacks are common triggers mentioned alongside this verb. It is important to note that while in English we often say 'to be depressed' (using a state of being), Portuguese speakers frequently use the reflexive verb to describe the act of becoming that way. This highlights the dynamic nature of the emotion in the speaker's mind.

Emotional Intensity: The word can be used hyperbolically to mean 'to feel very sad' about something minor, or literally to refer to the onset of clinical depression.

Muitas pessoas tendem a deprimir-se durante os meses rigorosos de inverno, quando a luz solar é escassa.

In a broader sense, deprimir-se can also be applied to non-human subjects in very formal or literary contexts, such as an economy or a market 'depressing itself' or declining, though this is rare compared to the emotional usage. In most cases, you will encounter it in conversations about mental health, personal well-being, and reactions to life events. It is a vital verb for expressing vulnerability and internal states in Portuguese.

Ele começou a deprimir-se após perder o emprego que tanto amava e pelo qual trabalhou durante anos.

Grammatical Conjugation: It follows the regular '-ir' conjugation pattern, similar to 'partir' or 'abrir', but with the added layer of the reflexive pronoun matching the subject.

Nós nos deprimimos com as notícias trágicas que aparecem todos os dias nos canais de televisão.

Ela teme deprimir-se se ficar muito tempo isolada sem o contacto social dos seus amigos mais próximos.

Using deprimir-se correctly involves mastering the placement of the reflexive pronoun. In Portuguese, the pronoun's position can change based on the sentence structure, especially in European Portuguese. In Brazilian Portuguese, the tendency is to place the pronoun before the verb (proclisis) in almost all casual speech. For example, 'Eu me deprimo' is the standard way to say 'I get depressed' in Brazil. However, in formal writing or in Portugal, you might see 'Deprimo-me' starting a sentence. Understanding these nuances is key to sounding natural.

Negative Sentences: Negative words like 'não', 'nunca', or 'jamais' pull the pronoun to the front. Example: 'Eu não me deprimo facilmente' (I don't get depressed easily).

Se você não sair de casa, vai acabar por deprimir-se com a solidão do apartamento vazio.

When used with auxiliary verbs like 'ir' (to go) or 'querer' (to want), the reflexive pronoun can be attached to the infinitive. For instance, 'Vou me deprimir' or 'Vou deprimir-me'. This construction is extremely common when talking about future possibilities or tendencies. It allows the speaker to describe a potential emotional shift rather than a current state. This is particularly useful in psychological contexts or when giving advice to friends about their emotional well-being.

Questions and Relative Clauses: Words like 'que', 'quem', and 'onde' also trigger the pronoun to come before the verb. Example: 'A razão por que ele se deprime é um mistério'.

Por que é que tu te deprimes sempre que o teu clube de futebol perde uma partida importante?

In the past tense (Pretérito Perfeito), the verb describes a specific instance where someone became depressed. 'Ele se deprimiu' (He got depressed). In the imperfect tense (Pretérito Imperfeito), it describes a habitual state or an ongoing process in the past: 'Ela se deprimia todos os domingos' (She used to get depressed every Sunday). This distinction is vital for storytelling and describing personal history or clinical backgrounds in a medical setting.

Antigamente, eu me deprimia com qualquer crítica, mas hoje sou muito mais forte psicologicamente.

Formal Usage: In formal literature, you might see mesoclisis (pronoun in the middle of the verb), though this is extremely rare for 'deprimir-se'. Example: 'Deprimir-se-ia' (He would get depressed).

É necessário evitar situações que façam o paciente deprimir-se ainda mais durante o tratamento.

Nós nos deprimimos ao ver a destruição causada pela tempestade na nossa pequena aldeia.

You will encounter deprimir-se in various contexts, ranging from clinical environments to casual conversations about life's ups and downs. In a medical or psychological context, doctors and therapists use this verb to describe the onset of depressive symptoms in a patient. It is a technical term but also a deeply human one. You might hear a psychologist say, 'O paciente começou a deprimir-se após o luto' (The patient began to get depressed after the bereavement). In this setting, the word is used with precision and empathy.

The News and Media: Journalists use this verb when discussing social trends, such as increasing rates of depression among teenagers or the elderly due to social isolation.

Os especialistas alertam que os jovens podem deprimir-se devido ao uso excessivo das redes sociais.

In casual conversation, the verb is often used to express a reaction to bad news or a gloomy atmosphere. For example, if a group of friends is talking about a very sad movie, one might say, 'Não quero ver esse filme, vou acabar por me deprimir'. Here, the usage is slightly more lighthearted or hyperbolic, similar to how an English speaker might say, 'That movie is so depressing'. However, the reflexive form 'deprimir-se' emphasizes the personal emotional impact on the speaker.

Literature and Poetry: Authors use 'deprimir-se' to describe the internal decay of a character's spirit, often linking it to themes of existentialism or nostalgia (saudade).

Naquela sala escura e silenciosa, era impossível não deprimir-se com as memórias do passado.

Another place you will hear this word is in self-help podcasts or YouTube channels focused on mental health. In these digital spaces, 'deprimir-se' is often discussed in terms of prevention and resilience. You'll hear phrases like 'Como não se deprimir em tempos de crise' (How not to get depressed in times of crisis). This reflects a modern, proactive approach to mental health that is becoming increasingly common in the Portuguese-speaking world, especially in Brazil.

Muitos artistas admitem deprimir-se após o fim de uma grande digressão ou projeto criativo exaustivo.

Workplace Context: Human resources professionals might use this verb when discussing burnout or the effects of a toxic work environment on employees.

É preocupante ver como tantos funcionários se deprimem devido à pressão constante por resultados.

Ao ler sobre a situação do mundo, é fácil deprimir-se, mas devemos focar nas soluções positivas.

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make when using deprimir-se is forgetting the reflexive pronoun entirely. In English, 'to get depressed' doesn't use a reflexive pronoun, so students often say 'Eu deprimo' when they mean 'I get depressed'. However, 'Eu deprimo' (without the 'me') sounds incomplete or implies that you are depressing something else. Always remember: if the feeling is happening to you, the pronoun must be there. This is a fundamental rule for all reflexive verbs in Portuguese.

Pronoun Placement Errors: Beginners often struggle with where to put the 'se'. In Portugal, putting it before the verb without a 'trigger' word (like 'não') is considered an error in formal writing. In Brazil, putting it after the verb can sound overly formal or archaic in speech.

Errado: Eu deprimo quando chove.
Correto: Eu me deprimo quando chove.

Another common mistake is confusing 'deprimir-se' (the action) with 'estar deprimido' (the state). If you want to say 'I am depressed right now', you should use 'Estou deprimido'. If you want to say 'I get depressed when I'm alone', use 'Eu me deprimo quando estou sozinho'. Using the verb when you mean the state can make your Portuguese sound a bit 'action-heavy' and less natural in descriptive contexts. Think of 'deprimir-se' as the 'becoming' and 'estar deprimido' as the 'being'.

Conjugation of '-ir' Verbs: Sometimes students conjugate it like an '-er' verb. Remember it is 'ele se deprime' (not 'deprema') and 'nós nos deprimimos' (not 'deprimemos').

Errado: Eles se deprem com a notícia.
Correto: Eles se deprimem com a notícia.

Finally, be careful with the intensity. Using 'deprimir-se' for very minor things might sound too dramatic in some cultures, though in Portuguese, hyperbolic emotional expression is quite common. However, in a professional setting, stick to 'ficar desanimado' (to get discouraged) if you just mean you're a bit down about a project, as 'deprimir-se' has a stronger clinical connotation. Misjudging the register can lead to people taking your minor frustrations too seriously or vice versa.

Não deves deprimir-te só porque cometeste um pequeno erro no teu teste de português.

Confusion with 'Depreciar': Sometimes learners confuse 'deprimir' with 'depreciar' (to depreciate/belittle). They are distinct! One is emotional, the other is about value or criticism.

É importante não deprimir-se perante as dificuldades, mas sim procurar ajuda se necessário.

Se eles continuarem a ler notícias falsas, vão deprimir-se sem necessidade nenhuma.

Portuguese has a rich vocabulary for emotions, and deprimir-se is just one way to describe feeling low. Depending on the intensity and the cause of the sadness, you might want to use a different verb to be more precise. For example, entristecer-se is a more general term for 'to become sad', while desanimar-se specifically refers to losing motivation or spirit. Knowing these alternatives will help you navigate different social situations with more nuance and linguistic flair.

Deprimir-se vs. Entristecer-se: Deprimir-se is deeper and more clinical. Entristecer-se is common for temporary sadness, like after watching a sad movie or hearing about a friend's cold.

Eu me entristeço com a partida dele, mas não chego a deprimir-me.

Another useful alternative is abater-se. This literally means 'to be struck down' or 'to become despondent'. It is often used when someone receives a heavy blow, like a financial loss or a death in the family. It conveys a sense of being physically weighed down by emotion. On the other hand, melancolizar-se is a more poetic, literary term for becoming melancholy—it implies a reflective, perhaps even slightly romanticized type of sadness that is common in Portuguese Fado music and literature.

Deprimir-se vs. Desanimar-se: Deprimir-se focuses on the mood. Desanimar-se focuses on the loss of energy or will to do something. You might 'desanimar-se' with a difficult project.

Não te desanimes com as dificuldades; continua a lutar pelos teus sonhos.

For a more colloquial approach, especially in Portugal, you might hear the phrase 'ficar em baixo' (to stay/become low). This is very common in daily speech and is less heavy than saying someone is 'deprimindo-se'. It's perfect for when you're just having a bad day. Conversely, prostrar-se is very intense, suggesting someone is so depressed they are physically unable to get up or function, often used in medical or very dramatic contexts.

Depois do divórcio, ele prostrou-se numa tristeza profunda da qual levou meses a sair.

Summary of Nuance: Use deprimir-se for serious mood shifts, entristecer-se for sadness, desanimar-se for loss of motivation, and ficar em baixo for casual 'down' days.

É natural melancolizar-se ao ouvir certas canções de Fado que falam de perdas antigas.

Sempre que vejo as notícias sobre a guerra, acabo por me abater um pouco.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The word originally referred to physical weight or pressing a button down before it was used to describe the psychological feeling of being 'pressed down' by life.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /dɨ.pɾi.ˈmiɾ.sɨ/

US /de.pɾi.ˈmiʁ.si/

The primary stress is on the last syllable of the verb root: 'mir'.

Rhymes With

dormir-se ferir-se sentir-se abrir-se pedir-se partir-se vestir-se unir-se

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'e' in 'se' too strongly like 'say' instead of a reduced 'suh' (EP) or 'see' (BP).
Forgetting to nasalize the 'em' in 'deprimem'.
Making the 'r' sound like the English 'r' instead of a tapped or guttural Portuguese 'r'.
Stress placement on 'de' instead of 'mir'.
Merging the 'r' of the verb with the 's' of the pronoun in a way that makes it unintelligible.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize due to the English cognate 'depress'.

Writing 5/5

Difficult due to reflexive pronoun placement and conjugation.

Speaking 6/5

Challenging to use the correct pronoun naturally in fast speech.

Listening 4/5

The reflexive 'se' can be very short and hard to catch.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

Triste Sentir Ficar Me/Te/Se Baixo

Learn Next

Ansiedade Psicólogo Tratamento Recuperar-se Ânimo

Advanced

Melancolia Abatimento Prostração Inanição Desalento

Grammar to Know

Reflexive Pronoun Agreement

Eu **me** deprimo, nós **nos** deprimimos.

Proclisis with negative words

Não **se** deprima.

Enclisis in European Portuguese

Deprimo-**me** com o tempo.

-ir Verb Conjugation

Eles deprim**em** (not deprimam).

Infinitive with reflexive

É difícil não **se deprimir**.

Examples by Level

Eu me deprimo com a chuva.

I get depressed with the rain.

Simple present tense with reflexive pronoun 'me'.

Você se deprime às vezes?

Do you get depressed sometimes?

Question form using the second person singular 'você'.

Ele se deprime no inverno.

He gets depressed in winter.

Third person singular conjugation.

Não se deprima por isso.

Don't get depressed over that.

Imperative negative form (command).

Nós nos deprimimos hoje.

We got depressed today.

First person plural 'nós' with 'nos'.

Ela nunca se deprime.

She never gets depressed.

Negative word 'nunca' pulls the pronoun forward.

O cão se deprime sozinho.

The dog gets depressed alone.

Using the verb for an animal's emotional state.

Por que se deprimir agora?

Why get depressed now?

Infinitive use in a question.

Eu me deprimo quando tiro notas baixas.

I get depressed when I get low grades.

Temporal clause with 'quando'.

Eles se deprimem com o fim das férias.

They get depressed with the end of the holidays.

Third person plural '-em' ending.

Você vai se deprimir se ficar em casa.

You are going to get depressed if you stay home.

Future with 'ir' + reflexive infinitive.

Ela se deprimiu depois do filme.

She got depressed after the movie.

Pretérito Perfeito (completed past action).

Nós não queremos nos deprimir.

We don't want to get depressed.

Infinitive with 'querer'.

Ele se deprimia com o trânsito.

He used to get depressed with the traffic.

Pretérito Imperfeito (habitual past action).

É fácil deprimir-se nesta cidade.

It is easy to get depressed in this city.

Infinitive with enclisis (common in Portugal).

Vocês se deprimem com facilidade?

Do you (plural) get depressed easily?

Second person plural 'vocês'.

Se eu perdesse o emprego, me deprimiria.

If I lost my job, I would get depressed.

Conditional mood.

Espero que ela não se deprima com a notícia.

I hope she doesn't get depressed with the news.

Present Subjunctive after 'espero que'.

Ele tem tendência a deprimir-se no outono.

He has a tendency to get depressed in autumn.

Noun 'tendência' + preposition 'a' + infinitive.

Nós nos deprimimos ao ver tanta injustiça.

We get depressed seeing so much injustice.

Reflexive verb with a gerund-like 'ao ver' structure.

Embora se deprima, ele tenta ser positivo.

Although he gets depressed, he tries to be positive.

Concessive clause with 'embora' + subjunctive.

Muitas pessoas se deprimiram durante a pandemia.

Many people got depressed during the pandemic.

Pretérito Perfeito plural.

Ela se deprime sempre que ouve aquela música.

She gets depressed whenever she hears that song.

Relative adverb 'sempre que' triggering proclisis.

Não convém deprimir-se por coisas fúteis.

It is not advisable to get depressed over trivial things.

Impersonal expression 'não convém'.

É provável que eles se deprimam se o projeto falhar.

It is likely they will get depressed if the project fails.

Present Subjunctive after 'é provável que'.

A maneira como ele se deprime preocupa a família.

The way he gets depressed worries the family.

Reflexive verb as part of a noun phrase.

Caso te deprimas, liga-me imediatamente.

In case you get depressed, call me immediately.

Future Subjunctive (EP style with 'te').

Ele se deprimiu profundamente após a falência.

He got deeply depressed after the bankruptcy.

Use of adverb 'profundamente' for intensity.

Ninguém se deprime sem uma razão subjacente.

No one gets depressed without an underlying reason.

Negative subject 'ninguém' triggering proclisis.

Ao deprimir-se, o paciente perde o apetite.

Upon getting depressed, the patient loses their appetite.

Personal infinitive with 'ao'.

Duvido que ela se deprima por tão pouco.

I doubt she would get depressed over so little.

Subjunctive after 'duvido que'.

Eles ter-se-iam deprimido se não tivessem apoio.

They would have gotten depressed if they hadn't had support.

Conditional Perfect with mesoclisis (rare/formal).

A personagem deprime-se ante a vacuidade da existência.

The character gets depressed before the emptiness of existence.

Literary register using enclisis.

Raramente alguém se deprime sem sinais prévios.

Rarely does someone get depressed without prior signs.

Adverb 'raramente' triggering proclisis.

O autor descreve como a sociedade se deprime coletivamente.

The author describes how society collectively gets depressed.

Abstract usage for a collective subject.

Não permitas que o teu espírito se deprima com a derrota.

Do not allow your spirit to get depressed with defeat.

Negative imperative + subjunctive clause.

Ela deprimia-se sistematicamente perante a burocracia.

She systematically got depressed in the face of bureaucracy.

Imperfect tense for a recurring, systematic action.

É imperativo evitar que o idoso se deprima na solidão.

It is imperative to prevent the elderly person from getting depressed in solitude.

Formal structure 'é imperativo evitar que'.

A economia deprimiu-se após o choque petrolífero.

The economy depressed (declined) after the oil shock.

Metaphorical usage for an economy.

Haverá quem se deprima com a simples ideia da morte.

There will be those who get depressed at the mere idea of death.

Future tense with a relative clause 'quem se deprima'.

A alma deprime-se ao confrontar a finitude do ser.

The soul gets depressed when confronting the finitude of being.

High literary register.

Oxalá não te deprimas quando a verdade vier ao de cima.

Hopefully you won't get depressed when the truth comes to light.

Use of 'oxalá' + subjunctive.

O mercado deprimiu-se, arrastando consigo as esperanças dos investidores.

The market depressed, dragging with it the hopes of investors.

Participial phrase 'arrastando consigo'.

Deprimir-se-ia o filósofo se visse o estado atual do mundo?

Would the philosopher get depressed if he saw the current state of the world?

Mesoclisis in a hypothetical question.

Não há quem não se deprima perante tamanha tragédia humana.

There is no one who does not get depressed before such human tragedy.

Double negative 'não há quem não'.

A sua tendência para se deprimir era o seu maior fardo.

His tendency to get depressed was his greatest burden.

Substantive use of the infinitive.

Embora a economia se deprimisse, o povo mantinha a fé.

Although the economy was depressing, the people kept their faith.

Imperfect Subjunctive after 'embora'.

Deprimir-se é, por vezes, um ato de resistência interna.

To get depressed is, sometimes, an act of internal resistance.

Infinitive as a subject.

Common Collocations

Deprimir-se com facilidade

Deprimir-se profundamente

Começar a deprimir-se

Evitar deprimir-se

Deprimir-se com as notícias

Não se deprimir

Deprimir-se por nada

Acabar por deprimir-se

Deprimir-se sistematicamente

Tendência para deprimir-se

Common Phrases

Não te deprimas!

— Don't get depressed! Used as a common piece of encouragement when a friend is sad.

Não te deprimas por causa desse rapaz, ele não te merece.

É para me deprimir?

— Is this meant to make me depressed? Often used sarcastically when hearing bad news.

Vais contar-me mais problemas? É para me deprimir?

Vou acabar por me deprimir.

— I'm going to end up getting depressed. Used to express a predicted emotional reaction.

Se continuar a ver estes filmes tristes, vou acabar por me deprimir.

Deprimir-se com o mundo.

— To get depressed with the state of the world.

É impossível não se deprimir com o mundo hoje em dia.

Deprimir-se à toa.

— To get depressed for no reason or over something silly.

Não vale a pena deprimir-se à toa por coisas que não podemos mudar.

A gente se deprime.

— We (informal) get depressed. A common way to express a collective feeling in Brazil.

Com esse tempo cinzento, a gente se deprime rapidinho.

Fazer alguém deprimir-se.

— To make someone get depressed.

O comportamento dele faz a mãe deprimir-se constantemente.

Deprimir-se e isolar-se.

— To get depressed and isolate oneself. Often seen as a pair of actions.

Ele costuma deprimir-se e isolar-se de todos os amigos.

Sempre se deprime.

— Always gets depressed. Used to describe a persistent pattern.

Ela sempre se deprime quando chega o domingo à noite.

Tentar não se deprimir.

— To try not to get depressed.

Estou a tentar não me deprimir com a situação económica.

Often Confused With

deprimir-se vs Depreciar

Depreciar means to lower the value or belittle someone, whereas deprimir-se is about emotional state.

deprimir-se vs Reprimir

Reprimir means to repress or hold back (like emotions), while deprimir-se is to feel them deeply.

deprimir-se vs Suprimir

Suprimir means to eliminate or suppress something, not to feel sad.

Idioms & Expressions

"Cair no poço"

— Literally 'to fall into the well'. Idiomatically, to fall into a deep depression.

Depois da perda, ele caiu no poço e não queria ver ninguém.

Informal

"Ficar na fossa"

— Literally 'to stay in the pit'. A very common Brazilian idiom for being very depressed, usually after a breakup.

Ela está na fossa desde que o namorado terminou com ela.

Informal (Brazil)

"Estar com os azeites"

— Literally 'to be with the oils'. A Portuguese idiom for being in a bad mood or feeling down/depressed.

Não fales com ele agora, ele está com os azeites.

Informal (Portugal)

"Estar de rastos"

— Literally 'to be crawling'. To be completely exhausted and depressed/devastated.

Depois de tanto trabalho e críticas, ela ficou de rastos.

Informal

"Ver a vida por um canudo"

— Literally 'to see life through a straw'. To have a very narrow, pessimistic, or depressed view of things.

Ele está tão triste que só vê a vida por um canudo.

Informal

"Bater o desespero"

— To be hit by despair. Often the precursor or peak of deprimir-se.

Quando vi as contas, bateu o desespero e comecei a deprimir-me.

Informal

"Estar com o moral no chão"

— To have one's morale on the ground. To be deeply discouraged and depressed.

A equipa está com o moral no chão após a derrota.

Neutral

"Carregar o mundo nas costas"

— To carry the world on one's back. A cause for someone to deprimir-se.

Ele sente que carrega o mundo nas costas e acaba por deprimir-se.

Neutral

"Nadar em águas turvas"

— To swim in murky waters. Metaphor for going through a confusing, depressing time.

Ele está a nadar em águas turvas emocionalmente.

Literary

"Perder o norte"

— To lose the north (lose one's way). Often leads to deprimir-se.

Ela perdeu o norte após a mudança e começou a deprimir-se.

Neutral

Easily Confused

deprimir-se vs Deprimido

It looks like the verb but it is an adjective.

Deprimido describes the state ('I am depressed'), while deprimir-se is the action ('I am getting depressed').

Estou deprimido (State) vs. Eu me deprimo (Action).

deprimir-se vs Desanimado

Both involve feeling low.

Desanimado is about lacking energy or motivation, deprimido is about a deeper sadness.

Estou desanimado com o curso.

deprimir-se vs Triste

Basic level synonym.

Triste is a general feeling of sadness; deprimir-se is a more intense, often longer-lasting process.

Fiquei triste com a notícia.

deprimir-se vs Melancólico

Similar emotional weight.

Melancólico has a poetic, pensive quality, while deprimido is often seen as more negative and clinical.

Um dia melancólico.

deprimir-se vs Abatido

Physical similarity in feeling.

Abatido often implies physical tiredness or showing the effects of stress/sadness on the face.

Ele parece muito abatido hoje.

Sentence Patterns

Eu me deprimo com [Noun].

Eu me deprimo com a solidão.

Você vai se deprimir se [Action].

Você vai se deprimir se não sair.

Ele se deprimia sempre que [Action].

Ele se deprimia sempre que chovia.

É possível que eles se deprimam.

É possível que eles se deprimam com a derrota.

[Subject] deprime-se perante [Abstract Noun].

O artista deprime-se perante a falta de inspiração.

Haverá quem se deprima por [Reason].

Haverá quem se deprima por mera nostalgia.

Não deixe que [Subject] se deprima.

Não deixe que o seu amigo se deprima.

Nós nos deprimimos muito ontem.

Nós nos deprimimos muito ontem com o filme.

Word Family

Nouns

Depressão (Depression)

Depressivo (Depressive person/state)

Deprimente (Something depressing)

Verbs

Deprimir (To depress - transitive)

Deprimir-se (To get depressed - reflexive)

Adjectives

Deprimido (Depressed)

Deprimente (Depressing)

Depressivo (Depressive)

Pressão

Comprimir

Suprimir

Imprimir

Reprimir

How to Use It

frequency

Common in psychological, medical, and dramatic contexts; moderate in daily speech.

Common Mistakes

Eu deprimo quando chove. → Eu me deprimo quando chove.
You forgot the reflexive pronoun. Without 'me', the verb is incomplete when referring to your own feelings.
Nós nos deprimemos com a notícia. → Nós nos deprimimos com a notícia.
This is an -ir verb, so the first person plural ending is -imos, not -emos.
Não deprime-se por isso. → Não se deprima por isso.
In negative commands, the pronoun must come before the verb, and the verb changes to the subjunctive form.
Ele se deprimeu ontem. → Ele se deprimiu ontem.
The past tense (Pretérito Perfeito) for -ir verbs ends in -iu for the third person singular.
Estou deprimir-me. → Estou a deprimir-me (EP) or Estou me deprimindo (BP).
You cannot use the infinitive directly after 'estou' without 'a' (in Portugal) or using the gerund (in Brazil).

Tips

Pronoun Match

Always match the pronoun to the person. 'Nós nos deprimimos', 'Tu te deprimes'. This is the #1 rule for reflexive verbs.

Regional Differences

In Brazil, say 'se deprime'. In Portugal, say 'deprime-se' for a more native sound.

Use Alternatives

If you just mean 'sad', use 'entristecer-se'. Save 'deprimir-se' for deeper feelings to sound more precise.

Nasal 'em'

The third person plural 'deprimem' ends in a nasal sound. Practice saying 'eng' without the 'g' at the end.

Subjunctive Triggers

Words like 'espero que' or 'duvido que' will change the verb to 'se deprima'. Watch out for these!

Catch the 'se'

Native speakers say the 'se' very quickly. Listen for the 's' sound right before or after the verb.

DE = DOWN

Associate 'DE' with 'DOWN'. It's the feeling of going down emotionally.

Hyperbole

Portuguese speakers often use strong words for minor things. Don't be shocked if someone says they 'deprimiram-se' over a lost umbrella!

Auxiliary Verbs

When using 'querer' or 'ir', the pronoun can stay before the infinitive: 'Vou me deprimir'.

Fado Connection

If you listen to Fado, you'll hear many themes of 'deprimir-se' and 'saudade'. It's a great way to hear the word in context.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of the 'DE' as 'DOWN' and 'PRIMIR' as 'PRESSURE'. You are under pressure and feeling down. The '-se' is 'SELF'. You are doing it to yourSELF.

Visual Association

Imagine a person standing under a giant heavy sponge that is soaking up all their energy and pressing them down into the ground.

Word Web

Tristeza Solidão Lágrimas Cansaço Inverno Mente Sentimento Psicologia

Challenge

Try to use 'deprimir-se' in three sentences today: one about the weather, one about a movie, and one about a news story you heard.

Word Origin

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

Original meaning: To press down, sink, or lower something physically.

Romance (Latin root).

Cultural Context

Always use this word with empathy. While it can be used hyperbolically, it often refers to real suffering. In clinical settings, ensure you are being respectful of the patient's condition.

English speakers often use 'depressing' as an adjective more than the reflexive verb 'to get depressed'. In Portuguese, the verb 'deprimir-se' is very common for the process.

Fernando Pessoa's poetry often touches on the state of 'deprimir-se' and existential gloom. The song 'Construção' by Chico Buarque describes a tragic decline that mirrors the weight of the word. Many Fado singers describe the process of 'deprimir-se' through the lens of 'fatalismo'.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Mental Health Discussion

Sinais de deprimir-se
Como não se deprimir
Tratamento para quem se deprime
Deprimir-se é comum

Reacting to News

Me deprimo com as notícias
É para deprimir-se
Notícias que fazem deprimir-se
Não quero me deprimir hoje

Weather and Seasons

Deprimir-se no inverno
A chuva me faz deprimir
Falta de sol faz deprimir-se
Sempre se deprime no outono

Relationships

Deprimir-se após o término
Ele se deprimiu por amor
Não te deprimas por ele
Solidão faz deprimir-se

Work/Career

Deprimir-se com o desemprego
Pressão faz o staff deprimir-se
Não se deprima com o erro
Fracasso faz deprimir-se

Conversation Starters

"Você acha que as pessoas se deprimem mais hoje em dia por causa da tecnologia?"

"O que você faz para não se deprimir quando tem um dia ruim no trabalho?"

"Você já sentiu que ia se deprimir por causa do clima de uma cidade?"

"É comum as pessoas se deprimirem quando mudam de país?"

"Qual é o melhor conselho para alguém que está começando a deprimir-se?"

Journal Prompts

Escreve sobre uma situação que te fez deprimir-se no passado e como superaste.

Como é que a sociedade pode ajudar as pessoas que se deprimem frequentemente?

Pensa num livro ou filme que te fez deprimir-se. Por que teve esse efeito?

Descreve a diferença entre estar triste e deprimir-se na tua opinião.

O que mudarias na tua rotina para nunca te deprimires com o stress?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, while it is used for clinical cases, it is also very common in daily life to describe feeling very sad or 'down' about something specific, like the weather or a movie. However, it is stronger than just 'ficar triste'.

Not if you mean 'I get depressed'. You must say 'Eu me deprimo'. 'Eu deprimo' without the pronoun would mean you are depressing something else, like an economy or a physical object, which is very rare in speech.

'Deprimir-se' is the verb (the process/action), whereas 'ficar deprimido' is a phrase describing the resulting state. You use 'deprimir-se' to say you are *becoming* that way. Example: 'Ele se deprime no inverno' (He gets depressed in winter).

In Portugal, it usually goes after the verb: 'Ele deprime-se'. However, if there is a 'não', 'que', or other trigger words, it moves to the front: 'Ele não se deprime'. In Brazil, it almost always goes before: 'Ele se deprime'.

Yes, 'deprimir' is a regular -ir verb. It follows the same pattern as 'abrir' or 'partir'. The only complexity is the reflexive pronoun.

Yes, you can say 'O meu cão deprime-se' if your dog seems very sad or lethargic, for example, when you leave the house.

Usually 'com' (with) or 'por' (because of). Example: 'Me deprimo com a solidão' or 'Me deprimo por causa do trabalho'.

It is neutral to formal. In very casual Brazilian Portuguese, you might say 'ficar na bad', and in Portugal, 'ficar em baixo'.

You can say 'Estou a deprimir-me' (Portugal) or 'Estou me deprimindo' (Brazil).

Yes, but it means to depress something else. 'A crise deprimiu a economia' (The crisis depressed the economy). It is transitive in that case.