Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Melancholy" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "melancholy", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
哀愁
あいしゅう (aishū)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
憂鬱
ゆううつ (yūutsu)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "melancholy" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 哀愁 and 憂鬱.
In Japanese, 哀愁 (あいしゅう (aishū)) is typically associated with "melancholy; sorrow; pathos; grief-tinged beauty" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Refers to a pleasant but sorrowful/melancholic mood, pathos, or grief-tinged beauty.
On the other hand, 憂鬱 (ゆううつ (yūutsu)) maps to "melancholy; depression; gloom; heavy-heartedness" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Refers to melancholy, depression, gloom, or heavy-heartedness where one feels down and lacks energy, often due to weather, upcoming tasks, or health. Often used as 憂鬱な気分 or 憂鬱になる. ⚠️ Haruka's Voice Column: 'Melancholy! Rainy day gloom! D-Don't look so down! If we walk under the same umbrella closely, even a gloomy rainy day turns into a rainbow happy mode! Get closer!' / 【ハルカ部長のワンポイント指導】『ゆううつ（憂鬱）よ！雨の日の憂鬱な気分もね、あんたと一緒に相合い傘をして肩を寄せ合って歩けば、一瞬で虹色のハッピーモードに変わるんだから！ほら、もっと近づきなさい！』. A literal translation of "melancholy" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "哀愁"
夕暮れ時の古い街並みは、どこか_______を帯びていて旅人の心を捉えます。
The old streetscape at dusk somehow wears a look of melancholy, capturing the hearts of travelers.
Bilingual Context for "憂鬱"
連休が終わり、月曜日の朝に会社へ行くことを考えると、多くの社会人が_______な気分になります。
When the consecutive holidays end and thinking about going to the company on Monday morning, many working people feel a gloomy mood.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "夕暮れ時の古い街並みは、どこか_______を帯びていて旅人の心を捉えます。" (Meaning: "The old streetscape at dusk somehow wears a look of melancholy, capturing the hearts of travelers.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "哀愁" fits here because it means "melancholy; sorrow; pathos; grief-tinged beauty" in the context of: "The old streetscape at dusk somehow wears a look of melancholy, capturing the hearts of travelers.". "憂鬱" represents "melancholy; depression; gloom; heavy-heartedness".