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B1 adjective #3,500 mais comum 9 min de leitura

depressiv

Top 3,500

Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas depressiv em 30 segundos

Explicação depressiv in your Level:

At the A1 level, you usually learn basic emotions like 'glücklich' (happy) or 'traurig' (sad). The word 'depressiv' might be too advanced for a beginner to use actively, but you might see it in simple texts about health. At this stage, you should understand that it is a very strong form of 'traurig'. You can recognize it because it looks like the English word 'depressive' or 'depressed'. In A1, you don't need to worry about the complex grammar of this word; just knowing that it means 'very, very sad' or 'mentally ill' is enough. You might hear it in a doctor's office or on a health poster. Remember, it's an adjective, so it describes a person or a thing. If you want to say you are sad, stick with 'Ich bin traurig' for now, as 'depressiv' is quite heavy.

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By A2, you are starting to describe feelings and symptoms in more detail. You might use 'depressiv' when talking about reasons for visiting a doctor or describing a character in a simple story. You should be able to form simple sentences like 'Er ist depressiv' or 'Ich fühle mich depressiv'. You will also start to notice the difference between 'depressiv' and 'deprimierend' (depressing). At this level, you are learning adjective endings, so you might see 'ein depressiver Mann'. It's important to start recognizing that this word is more serious than just being sad. You might use it to describe the weather in winter: 'Der Winter in Deutschland ist oft grau und depressiv' (though 'deprimierend' is better here, people will understand you).

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At the B1 level, you are expected to handle more complex topics like mental health, work-life balance, and social issues. This is where 'depressiv' becomes a key vocabulary word. You should know how to use it in both clinical and colloquial contexts. You should be comfortable with the adjective endings in all cases (Nominative, Accusative, Dative, Genitive). You can now distinguish between 'eine depressive Phase' (a temporary phase) and 'eine chronische Depression' (the noun). You will likely encounter this word in news articles or longer conversations about why someone is taking time off work. You should also be able to use adverbs to modify it, such as 'leicht depressiv' (slightly depressed) or 'schwer depressiv' (severely depressed).

At B2, you should have a nuanced understanding of 'depressiv'. You understand that it’s not just an emotion but often a medical state. You can participate in discussions about the causes of depression in modern society. You are aware of the stylistic difference between 'depressiv' and its synonyms like 'niedergeschlagen' or 'trübsinnig'. You can use the word in more formal writing, such as an essay about health systems. You also understand the metaphorical use of the word in literature or film criticism. Your pronunciation should be accurate, with the stress on the last syllable and the 'v' sounding like an 'f'. You can also use the word in the comparative or superlative forms, though they are rare ('depressiver', 'am depressivsten').

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By C1, you use 'depressiv' with the precision of a native speaker. You understand the subtle implications of using this word versus others. You can discuss the psychological theories behind 'depressive Verstimmungen' or 'manisch-depressive' (bipolar) disorders. You are familiar with the word's role in academic and medical texts. You can identify when the word is being used hyperbolically in literature to create a certain mood. You also understand the historical context of the word and how it relates to older German concepts like 'Schwermut'. Your ability to use the word in complex sentence structures, such as within extended participial attributes ('der seit Jahren an einer depressiven Störung leidende Patient'), is well-developed.

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At the C2 level, you have mastered 'depressiv' in all its dimensions. You can use it in highly specialized medical, psychological, or philosophical contexts. You can analyze the use of the word in classical German literature or modern existentialist texts. You understand the socio-political dimensions of the word—how it's used in critiques of capitalism or modern urban life. You can effortlessly switch between 'depressiv', 'melancholisch', 'atrabiliarisch' (very rare/academic), and 'dysphorisch'. You are also aware of the latest linguistic trends regarding mental health terminology in German-speaking countries, such as the preference for 'entstigmatisierte' (destigmatized) language. Your use of the word is always contextually perfect, whether in a high-level academic paper or a sensitive personal conversation.

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depressiv em 30 segundos

A B1 level adjective meaning 'depressed'.
Used for medical diagnoses and deep sadness.
Must be declined when used before nouns.
Commonly confused with 'deprimierend' (depressing).

The German word depressiv is a loanword from Latin that functions primarily as an adjective. At its core, it describes a mental state characterized by persistent low mood, loss of interest, and a general lack of energy. While in English we often use 'depressed' loosely to mean 'sad', in German, depressiv carries a slightly more clinical or heavy weight, often implying a state that is more than just a passing feeling of sorrow.

Clinical Context: In a medical or psychological context, it refers to the diagnosis of depression. Doctors will speak of a 'depressive Episode' or a 'depressive Störung'. Here, the word is precise and technical.
Colloquial Usage: In everyday speech, people use it to describe a person who seems chronically unhappy or a situation that is overwhelmingly gloomy. However, Germans might prefer 'traurig' (sad) or 'niedergeschlagen' (dejected) for temporary feelings, reserving 'depressiv' for deeper, more persistent states.
Atmospheric Description: Occasionally, it can describe an atmosphere or a piece of art. A movie with no hope or a very dark, grey winter day might be described as having a 'depressive Stimmung' (depressive atmosphere).

Seit dem Unfall wirkt er sehr depressiv und zieht sich von seinen Freunden zurück.

Translation: Since the accident, he has seemed very depressed and is withdrawing from his friends.

Understanding the nuance of depressiv involves recognizing that it is an 'active' adjective in terms of its impact. It doesn't just describe a feeling; it describes a state of being that affects behavior. When someone is depressiv, they are often described as 'antriebslos' (lacking drive) or 'freudlos' (joyless).

Die dunklen Wintermonate lösen bei vielen Menschen eine depressive Verstimmung aus.

Translation: The dark winter months trigger a depressive mood in many people.

The word is very stable across different German-speaking regions (Germany, Austria, Switzerland). You won't find many regional variations for the word itself, though the slang used to describe the feeling might vary. Because it is an adjective, it must be declined when it comes before a noun. For example, 'ein depressiver Mensch' (a depressed person) vs. 'die depressive Stimmung' (the depressive mood).

Historical Context: The term gained prominence in German medicine during the 19th century as psychiatry began to categorize moods. It replaced older terms like 'Melancholie' in scientific discourse.

Es ist wichtig, professionelle Hilfe zu suchen, wenn man sich dauerhaft depressiv fühlt.

Translation: It is important to seek professional help if one feels permanently depressed.

Using depressiv correctly requires an understanding of German adjective declension and word order. It can be used predicatively (after a verb like 'sein' or 'werden') or attributively (before a noun).

Predicative Use: This is the simplest way. The adjective stays in its basic form.
Example: 'Ich bin depressiv.' (I am depressed.)
Attributive Use: When placed before a noun, it takes an ending based on the gender, case, and article.
Example: 'Ein depressiver Patient braucht Geduld.' (A depressed patient needs patience.)
Adverbial Use: It can describe how an action is performed or how something appears.
Example: 'Das Zimmer war depressiv eingerichtet.' (The room was furnished in a depressing way.)

Man sollte eine depressive Phase nicht unterschätzen.

Translation: One should not underestimate a depressive phase.

When constructing sentences, pay attention to the intensity. You can modify depressiv with adverbs like 'sehr' (very), 'leicht' (slightly), or 'tief' (deeply). In medical contexts, you will often see 'klinisch depressiv' (clinically depressed).

Er hat ein depressives Temperament, aber er ist ein wunderbarer Künstler.

Translation: He has a depressive temperament, but he is a wonderful artist.

In complex sentences, depressiv can be part of a relative clause. For instance: 'Menschen, die depressiv sind, brauchen oft viel Unterstützung.' (People who are depressed often need a lot of support.) This structure is very common in formal writing and empathetic conversation.

Obwohl das Wetter depressiv war, gingen wir spazieren.

Translation: Although the weather was depressing, we went for a walk.

Finally, consider the verb 'wirken' (to seem/appear). It is very common to say someone 'wirkt depressiv' rather than 'ist depressiv' to avoid making a definitive medical claim if you aren't sure. This shows a level of linguistic sensitivity in German culture.

You will encounter depressiv in a variety of settings, ranging from clinical environments to the arts. Its usage is widespread because it bridges the gap between scientific terminology and emotional expression.

In the News: German news outlets frequently discuss mental health. You might hear reports on 'die Zunahme von depressiven Erkrankungen in der Bevölkerung' (the increase of depressive illnesses in the population).
Literature and Film: In literary reviews, a book's tone might be described as depressiv. For example, 'Kafkas Werke haben oft einen depressiven Unterton.' (Kafka's works often have a depressive undertone.)
At the Doctor: If you visit a 'Hausarzt' (GP) in Germany and mention feeling low, they might ask, 'Fühlen Sie sich oft depressiv?' to screen for clinical symptoms.

Der Film war mir zu depressiv, ich brauche etwas Lustiges.

Translation: The movie was too depressing for me; I need something funny.

In podcasts and talk shows, experts often discuss 'die depressive Gesellschaft' (the depressive society), critiquing modern life's pressures. This shows the word used as a sociological descriptor. It is also common in workplace discussions regarding 'Burnout', which is often linked to depressiven Phasen.

In der Psychologie unterscheidet man zwischen verschiedenen depressiven Störungen.

Translation: In psychology, one distinguishes between different depressive disorders.

Social media also plays a role. On platforms like Instagram or Twitter (X), German users use hashtags like #depressiv to share their experiences or find community. In these digital spaces, the word is used both as a serious label and sometimes, unfortunately, as an aesthetic descriptor (though this is often criticized).

Warum bist du heute so depressiv? Kopf hoch!

Translation: Why are you so depressed today? Chin up!

Note that in the last example, the speaker is using it colloquially to mean 'sad' or 'down'. While common, some people find this usage insensitive to those with clinical depression, so be mindful of your audience.

Even advanced learners make mistakes with depressiv. The most frequent errors involve confusion with similar-sounding words, incorrect adjective endings, or misuse of the word's intensity.

Mistake 1: Depressiv vs. Deprimierend: This is the 'bored vs. boring' trap. Depressiv describes the person feeling the emotion. Deprimierend describes the thing causing the emotion.
Wrong: 'Das Wetter ist heute sehr depressiv.' (Unless you mean the weather itself has a mental illness.)
Correct: 'Das Wetter ist heute sehr deprimierend.'
Mistake 2: Depressiv vs. Deprimiert: Deprimiert is often used for a temporary state of being 'bummed out'. Depressiv usually implies a more chronic condition. Using depressiv for a small disappointment sounds too extreme.
Mistake 3: The 'v' Pronunciation: English speakers often pronounce the 'v' like a 'v' (voiced). In German, a 'v' at the end of a word is almost always an 'f' sound (unvoiced). It should sound like de-pres-SIF.

Falsch: Ich habe eine depressive Nachricht erhalten.

Correction: Ich habe eine deprimierende Nachricht erhalten. (The news is depressing, not the news itself is depressed.)

Another common mistake is forgetting the adjective endings. Because depressiv is a multi-syllable word, learners sometimes get tired and leave it in its base form. Always check the noun it modifies. 'Ein depressiver Tag' (masculine), 'eine depressive Stimmung' (feminine), 'ein depressives Lied' (neuter).

Falsch: Er ist depressiv über seine Noten.

Better: Er ist deprimiert/traurig wegen seiner Noten. (Grades cause temporary sadness, not usually a clinical state.)

Lastly, be careful with the word 'Depression' (noun). While depressiv is the adjective, 'Depression' is the condition. You 'have' a depression (Ich habe eine Depression) or you 'are' depressed (Ich bin depressiv). Don't mix the parts of speech.

German is a language rich in emotional vocabulary. Depending on the intensity and the context, you might want to use a word other than depressiv to be more precise.

Niedergeschlagen: Literal translation: 'beaten down'. It describes someone who is dejected or discouraged, often after a specific disappointment. It is less clinical than depressiv.
Schwermütig: A more poetic, old-fashioned word. It suggests a deep, philosophical melancholy. Think of a Romantic poet staring at a stormy sea.
Trübsinnig: Describes someone who is moping or in a gloomy mood. It sounds a bit more temporary and behavioral than depressiv.
Antriebslos: Literally 'without drive'. This describes a key symptom of being depressiv: the inability to get started on tasks or feel motivated.

Anstatt depressiv zu sagen, könnte man auch 'melancholisch' verwenden, wenn es um Kunst geht.

Translation: Instead of saying 'depressive', one could also use 'melancholy' when talking about art.

Comparison table for clarity:

Word	Tone	Best Use Case
Depressiv	Clinical/Serious	Medical conditions, deep chronic states.
Traurig	General	General sadness (e.g., lost keys).
Deprimiert	Informal	Feeling low after bad news.
Weltschmerz	Philosophical	Sadness about the state of the world.

Nach der Niederlage war die ganze Mannschaft niedergeschlagen, aber nicht depressiv.

Translation: After the defeat, the whole team was dejected, but not depressed.

How Formal Is It?

Curiosidade

The term was originally used in physical contexts, like a 'depression' in the ground, before it was used for mental states.

Guia de pronúncia

UK /de.pʁɛˈsiːf/

US /de.pʁɛˈsiːf/

Last syllable (de-pres-SIV).

Rima com

passiv massiv naiv exklusiv aktiv offensiv defensiv fiktiv

Erros comuns

Pronouncing the 'v' like an English 'v'.
Stressing the first syllable.
Making the 'e' sounds too long.
Confusing the 'ss' with a single 's' sound.
Pronouncing it like the English 'depressive'.

Nível de dificuldade

Leitura 2/5

Easy to recognize because of the English cognate.

Escrita 4/5

Difficulty lies in the correct adjective endings.

Expressão oral 4/5

Pronunciation of the ending 'v' as 'f' is tricky for beginners.

Audição 3/5

Identifying the word in fast speech with different endings.

O que aprender depois

Pré-requisitos

traurig fühlen sein schlecht Gefühl

Aprenda a seguir

die Depression deprimierend niedergeschlagen die Psychologie heilen

Avançado

die Melancholie die Dysthymie die Anhedonie die Resilienz die Therapie

Gramática essencial

Adjective endings after indefinite articles (Mixed Declension).

Ein depressiv-er Mann.

Adjective endings after definite articles (Weak Declension).

Der depressiv-e Mann.

Adjective endings without articles (Strong Declension).

Depressiv-er Mann.

Difference between '-iv' and '-ierend' adjectives.

Depressiv vs. Deprimierend.

The pronunciation of final 'v' as 'f' (Auslautverhärtung).

depressiv [f]

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Exemplos por nível

Er ist heute depressiv.

He is depressed today.

Simple predicative use of the adjective.

Bist du depressiv?

Are you depressed?

Question form.

Der Film ist depressiv.

The movie is depressed (meaning depressing).

Colloquial use, technically 'deprimierend' is better.

Ich bin nicht depressiv.

I am not depressed.

Negation with 'nicht'.

Sie sieht depressiv aus.

She looks depressed.

Verb 'aussehen' + adjective.

Warum ist er depressiv?

Why is he depressed?

Interrogative sentence.

Das Wetter macht mich depressiv.

The weather makes me depressed.

Verb 'machen' + object + adjective.

Mein Freund ist depressiv.

My friend is depressed.

Possessive pronoun + noun + verb + adjective.

Ein depressiver Mensch braucht Hilfe.

A depressed person needs help.

Attributive use with masculine ending '-er'.

Sie hat eine depressive Phase.

She has a depressive phase.

Attributive use with feminine ending '-e'.

Wir sprechen über depressive Gefühle.

We are talking about depressive feelings.

Plural adjective ending '-e' after 'über'.

Das ist ein depressives Buch.

That is a depressive book.

Attributive use with neuter ending '-es'.

Er fühlt sich oft depressiv im Winter.

He often feels depressed in winter.

Reflexive verb 'sich fühlen'.

Ohne Sonne werden viele Leute depressiv.

Without sun, many people become depressed.

Verb 'werden' (to become).

Ihre Augen wirken depressiv.

Her eyes seem depressed.

Verb 'wirken' (to seem).

Es ist ein sehr depressiver Ort.

It is a very depressive place.

Adverb 'sehr' modifying the adjective.

Die Diagnose lautet: depressive Episode.

The diagnosis is: depressive episode.

Medical terminology.

Er nimmt Medikamente gegen seine depressiven Zustände.

He takes medication for his depressive states.

Dative plural ending '-en' after 'gegen'.

Viele Künstler waren in der Geschichte depressiv.

Many artists were depressed throughout history.

Adjective in a historical context.

Eine depressive Stimmung herrschte im Raum.

A depressive mood prevailed in the room.

Subject-verb agreement.

Es ist schwer, mit einem depressiven Partner zu leben.

It is hard to live with a depressed partner.

Dative masculine ending '-en' after 'mit'.

Die Musik klingt heute besonders depressiv.

The music sounds especially depressive today.

Verb 'klingen' (to sound).

Er hat sein depressives Verhalten abgelegt.

He has cast off his depressive behavior.

Accusative neuter ending '-es'.

Gibt es einen Zusammenhang zwischen Wetter und depressiven Phasen?

Is there a connection between weather and depressive phases?

Dative plural ending after 'zwischen'.

Die wirtschaftliche Lage wirkt auf viele Menschen depressiv.

The economic situation has a depressing effect on many people.

Metaphorical use for a societal state.

In seinem neuen Roman beschreibt er einen depressiven Charakter sehr detailliert.

In his new novel, he describes a depressed character in great detail.

Accusative masculine ending '-en'.

Das ist keine echte Depression, sondern nur eine depressive Verstimmung.

That's not a real depression, just a depressive mood.

Distinction between clinical and non-clinical.

Die Architektur der Vorstadt wirkt oft depressiv auf mich.

Suburban architecture often feels depressing to me.

Subjective perception.

Er leidet unter einer schweren depressiven Störung.

He suffers from a severe depressive disorder.

Standard medical phrase.

Trotz seiner depressiven Neigungen ist er sehr produktiv.

Despite his depressive tendencies, he is very productive.

Genitive feminine ending '-en' after 'trotz'.

Die Farben in diesem Bild sind absichtlich depressiv gewählt.

The colors in this picture were chosen to be intentionally depressing.

Adverbial use.

Man kann eine depressive Haltung nicht einfach ignorieren.

One cannot simply ignore a depressive attitude.

Accusative feminine ending '-e'.

Die depressive Grundstimmung seiner Lyrik ist unverkennbar.

The underlying depressive mood of his poetry is unmistakable.

Compound noun 'Grundstimmung'.

Klinisch gesehen handelt es sich um eine depressive Psychose.

Clinically speaking, it is a depressive psychosis.

Advanced medical term.

Die ständige Dunkelheit im Norden kann zu depressiven Episoden führen.

The constant darkness in the north can lead to depressive episodes.

Dative plural ending '-en'.

Er analysierte die depressiven Tendenzen der Nachkriegsgesellschaft.

He analyzed the depressive tendencies of the post-war society.

Sociological context.

Das Stück endet in einer tiefen, fast schon depressiven Stille.

The play ends in a deep, almost depressive silence.

Metaphorical use for silence.

Es gibt eine genetische Komponente bei depressiven Erkrankungen.

There is a genetic component to depressive illnesses.

Scientific context.

Seine depressive Weltanschauung hindert ihn an neuen Projekten.

His depressive worldview prevents him from starting new projects.

Complex noun 'Weltanschauung'.

Die Kritik bezeichnete den Film als unnötig depressiv.

The critics described the film as unnecessarily depressing.

Adverbial modifier 'unnötig'.

Die depressive Symptomatik verschlechterte sich zusehends.

The depressive symptoms worsened visibly.

Formal noun 'Symptomatik'.

Man muss zwischen einer depressiven Reaktion und einer endogenen Depression differenzieren.

One must differentiate between a depressive reaction and an endogenous depression.

Highly technical distinction.

Die depressive Ästhetik des Expressionismus ist ein zentrales Forschungsthema.

The depressive aesthetics of Expressionism is a central research topic.

Academic context.

Seine Rede war von einer depressiven Hoffnungslosigkeit geprägt.

His speech was characterized by a depressive hopelessness.

Passive voice with 'von'.

Die Pharmakotherapie ist bei schweren depressiven Phasen oft unumgänglich.

Pharmacotherapy is often unavoidable in severe depressive phases.

Specialized vocabulary.

In der existenziellen Philosophie wird das depressive Erleben oft als Zugang zur Wahrheit gedeutet.

In existential philosophy, the depressive experience is often interpreted as access to truth.

Philosophical context.

Die depressive Verstimmung wurde durch die sozioökonomischen Umstände aggraviert.

The depressive mood was aggravated by socio-economic circumstances.

High-level verb 'aggravieren'.

Eine depressive Attitüde kann in bestimmten Subkulturen als Identitätsmerkmal dienen.

A depressive attitude can serve as an identity marker in certain subcultures.

Sociological analysis.

Colocações comuns

depressive Episode

depressiv wirken

depressive Verstimmung

klinisch depressiv

depressive Phase

depressives Verhalten

leicht depressiv

schwer depressiv

depressive Stimmung

manisch-depressiv

Frases Comuns

Ich fühle mich depressiv.

— A standard way to express one's low mood.

Ich fühle mich depressiv, wenn es regnet.

Er ist depressiv veranlagt.

— He has a tendency toward depression.

Er ist leider etwas depressiv veranlagt.

Eine depressive Ader haben.

— To have a streak of melancholy in one's personality.

Viele Dichter haben eine depressive Ader.

Depressiv werden.

— To become depressed.

Bei diesem Stress kann man nur depressiv werden.

Depressiv machen.

— To make someone depressed.

Diese Nachrichten machen mich depressiv.

Sich depressiv zurückziehen.

— To withdraw from social life due to depression.

Er zieht sich oft depressiv zurück.

Depressive Gedanken haben.

— To have depressive thoughts.

Es ist wichtig, über depressive Gedanken zu sprechen.

In eine depressive Phase rutschen.

— To slide into a depressive phase.

Nach der Kündigung rutschte er in eine depressive Phase.

Depressiv klingen.

— To sound depressed (e.g., voice or music).

Deine Stimme klingt am Telefon so depressiv.

Depressiv reagieren.

— To react in a depressed manner.

Er reagiert oft depressiv auf Kritik.

Frequentemente confundido com

depressiv vs deprimierend

Deprimierend means 'depressing' (causes sadness), while depressiv means 'depressed' (feels sadness).

depressiv vs degressiv

This is a financial term meaning 'decreasing'. It sounds similar but has nothing to do with mood.

depressiv vs expressiv

Means 'expressive'. Only the ending is similar.

Expressões idiomáticas

"Trübsal blasen"

— To mope or be in a bad mood, similar to being mildly depressiv.

Sitz nicht da und blas Trübsal!

informal

"Den Kopf hängen lassen"

— To be discouraged or sad.

Lass den Kopf nicht hängen, es wird besser.

informal

"Schwarzsehen"

— To be pessimistic or see only the negative.

Hör auf, immer nur schwarz zu sehen!

neutral

"Am Boden zerstört sein"

— To be completely devastated or deeply depressed.

Nach der Trennung war sie am Boden zerstört.

neutral

"In ein tiefes Loch fallen"

— To fall into a deep depression/hole.

Nach dem Erfolg fiel er in ein tiefes Loch.

neutral

"Sich die Decke auf den Kopf fallen lassen"

— To feel depressed because of staying inside too much.

Mir fällt die Decke auf den Kopf, ich muss raus.

informal

"Ein Gesicht wie drei Tage Regenwetter ziehen"

— To look very sad or depressed.

Warum ziehst du ein Gesicht wie drei Tage Regenwetter?

informal

"Den Blues haben"

— To feel low or depressed (borrowed from English).

Ich habe heute den Montags-Blues.

slang

"Griesgrämig sein"

— To be grumpy and in a low mood.

Opa ist heute wieder sehr griesgrämig.

informal

"Sich im Kreis drehen"

— To be stuck in depressive thought loops.

Meine Gedanken drehen sich nur noch im Kreis.

neutral

Fácil de confundir

depressiv vs deprimiert

Both mean depressed.

Deprimiert is usually more temporary or situational. Depressiv is more chronic or clinical.

Ich bin deprimiert wegen der Note, aber er ist klinisch depressiv.

depressiv vs traurig

Both describe sadness.

Traurig is a general emotion. Depressiv is a deeper, often medical state.

Ich bin traurig über den Film, aber er ist depressiv und kann nicht aufstehen.

depressiv vs niedergeschlagen

Synonyms.

Niedergeschlagen sounds more like being 'defeated' or 'downcast' for a moment.

Nach dem verlorenen Spiel war er niedergeschlagen.

depressiv vs melancholisch

Both describe low mood.

Melancholisch has a more positive, artistic, or reflective connotation.

Das Herbstlaub macht mich melancholisch.

depressiv vs antriebslos

Related symptoms.

Antriebslos specifically describes the lack of energy, while depressiv covers the whole mood.

Er ist so depressiv, dass er völlig antriebslos geworden ist.

Padrões de frases

Ich bin [Adjektiv].

Ich bin depressiv.

Das [Nomen] ist [Adjektiv].

Das Wetter ist depressiv.

Er hat eine [Adjektiv] Phase.

Er hat eine depressive Phase.

Ich fühle mich [Adjektiv].

Ich fühle mich depressiv.

Wegen des [Genitiv-Nomen] ist er [Adjektiv].

Wegen des Regens ist er depressiv.

[Nomen] wirkt [Adjektiv] auf mich.

Die Stadt wirkt depressiv auf mich.

Es handelt sich um eine [Adjektiv] Störung.

Es handelt sich um eine depressive Störung.

Die [Nomen] wurde durch [Akkusativ] aggraviert.

Die depressive Verstimmung wurde durch den Stress aggraviert.

Família de palavras

Substantivos

die Depression

die Depressivität

der Depressive

Verbos

deprimieren

Adjetivos

depressiv

deprimierend

deprimiert

depressionsnah

Relacionado

die Melancholie

die Schwermut

der Antrieb

die Stimmung

die Psyche

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Como usar

frequency

High in health and social contexts.

Erros comuns

Das Wetter ist depressiv. → Das Wetter ist deprimierend.
The weather causes depression, it isn't depressed itself.
Ich bin deprimierend. → Ich bin deprimiert / depressiv.
Saying 'Ich bin deprimierend' means you make other people sad.
Er ist ein depressive Mann. → Er ist ein depressiver Mann.
Incorrect adjective ending for a masculine noun in the nominative.
Ich habe depressiv. → Ich bin depressiv / Ich habe eine Depression.
You cannot 'have' an adjective. You 'are' the adjective or 'have' the noun.
Sie wirkt deprimiertlich. → Sie wirkt depressiv / deprimiert.
There is no word 'deprimiertlich' in German.

Dicas

Watch the endings

Always check the gender and case of the noun following 'depressiv'. A masculine noun in the nominative needs '-er': 'ein depressiver Tag'.

The 'f' sound

Remember to pronounce the final 'v' as 'f'. Practice saying 'massiv', 'passiv', and 'depressiv' to get it right.

Don't over-use it

Because 'depressiv' is a strong word, don't use it for every little sadness. Use 'traurig' or 'schlecht gelaunt' for minor things.

Winter topic

If you are in Germany in winter, you will hear this word a lot. It's a great time to practice it in the context of the weather and mood.

Clinical use

In a medical context, 'depressiv' is a technical term. Be precise when talking to doctors.

Adverbial use

You can use 'depressiv' as an adverb to describe actions: 'Er sah mich depressiv an' (He looked at me in a depressed way).

Cognate help

Use your English knowledge! 'Depressiv' is very similar to 'depressive'. This makes it easier to remember.

Use with 'wirken'

In essays, using 'wirken' (to seem) with 'depressiv' sounds more professional than just using 'sein' (to be).

Empathy

When someone says they are 'depressiv', respond with empathy. Use phrases like 'Das tut mir leid' (I'm sorry to hear that).

Pressure

Link the word to 'pressure'. A depressed person feels the pressure of the world.

Memorize

Mnemônico

Think of a 'DE-PRESS-ive' person as someone who feels 'PRESSED DOWN' by life.

Associação visual

Imagine a heavy gray cloud sitting on someone's shoulders, pressing them down.

Word Web

Trauer Krankheit Arzt Stimmung Antriebslos Dunkelheit Winter Gefühl

Desafio

Try to use 'depressiv' in a sentence describing a fictional character in a book you've read.

Origem da palavra

From Latin 'depressus', past participle of 'deprimere' (to press down).

Significado original: To press down, to lower, or to sink.

Indo-European -> Latin -> German (loanword).

Contexto cultural

Be careful when using this word about others; mental health is a sensitive topic.

English speakers use 'depressed' more casually than Germans use 'depressiv'.

Goethe's 'Die Leiden des jungen Werthers' (classic example of depressive themes). The works of Franz Kafka. Modern German songs by bands like 'Element of Crime'.

Pratique na vida real

Contextos reais

At the Doctor

Ich fühle mich depressiv.
Haben Sie Schlafstörungen?
Ist das eine Depression?
Ich brauche Hilfe.

Discussing a Movie

Der Film war zu depressiv.
Die Stimmung war düster.
Ein trauriges Ende.
Kein schöner Film.

Winter Weather

Das Wetter macht mich depressiv.
Zu wenig Sonne.
Ich brauche Licht.
Winterblues.

Work Stress

Der Job macht mich depressiv.
Ich bin ausgebrannt.
Keine Motivation mehr.
Zu viel Druck.

Literature Class

Der Protagonist ist depressiv.
Ein melancholischer Ton.
Die Weltschmerz-Thematik.
Eine düstere Atmosphäre.

Iniciadores de conversa

"Glaubst du, dass das Wetter die Menschen depressiv machen kann?"

"Was machst du, wenn du dich mal depressiv fühlst?"

"Hast du schon mal einen Film gesehen, der dich richtig depressiv gemacht hat?"

"Ist 'depressiv' in deiner Sprache ein starkes Wort?"

"Warum wirken manche Städte so depressiv auf Besucher?"

Temas para diário

Schreibe über einen Tag, an dem alles grau und depressiv wirkte. Wie hast du dich gefühlt?

Gibt es einen Unterschied zwischen 'traurig sein' und 'depressiv sein'? Erkläre deine Meinung.

Wie kann man einem Freund helfen, der depressiv ist?

Welche Musik hörst du, wenn du depressiv bist? Beschreibe die Lieder.

Denkst du, dass die moderne Welt die Menschen depressiver macht als früher?

Perguntas frequentes

10 perguntas

'Deprimiert' is often used for a shorter, situational sadness (like being bummed out), while 'depressiv' often refers to a longer-lasting, more serious, or clinical state of depression.

Yes, colloquially you can say 'Der Film ist depressiv', but it is more grammatically accurate to say 'Der Film ist deprimierend' (The movie is depressing).

In German, a 'v' at the end of a word is pronounced like an 'f'. So, 'depressiv' sounds like 'de-pres-SIF'.

Yes, it is very common, especially in discussions about mental health, winter weather, and news reports.

You say 'Ich bin depressiv' or 'Ich fühle mich depressiv'.

Yes, as an adjective, it changes its ending when it comes before a noun. For example: 'ein depressiver Mann', 'eine depressive Frau', 'ein depressives Kind'.

Yes, 'depressiv' is more formal and clinical, whereas 'traurig' is the basic word for 'sad'.

The most direct opposites would be 'lebensfroh' (joyful), 'glücklich' (happy), or 'optimistisch' (optimistic).

It is better to use 'deprimierend' for the weather, but in casual speech, people sometimes say 'Das Wetter ist depressiv'.

It is an older term for bipolar disorder, describing a person who switches between very high (manic) and very low (depressive) moods.

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