Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Melancholy" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "melancholy", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
憂鬱
ゆううつ (yūutsu)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
憂鬱な
ゆううつな (yuuutsuna)
C1 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "melancholy" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 憂鬱 and 憂鬱な.
In Japanese, 憂鬱 (ゆううつ (yūutsu)) is typically associated with "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！』.
On the other hand, 憂鬱な (ゆううつな (yuuutsuna)) maps to "melancholy, gloomy" (Syllabus Level: C1) and represents Essential structural term in CEFR C1 vocabulary syllabus.. A literal translation of "melancholy" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
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.
Bilingual Context for "憂鬱な"
これはとても憂鬱なですね。
This is very melancholy, gloomy, isn't it?
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "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。" (Meaning: "When the consecutive holidays end and thinking about going to the company on Monday morning, many working people feel a gloomy mood.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "憂鬱" fits here because it means "melancholy; depression; gloom; heavy-heartedness" in the context of: "When the consecutive holidays end and thinking about going to the company on Monday morning, many working people feel a gloomy mood.". "憂鬱な" represents "melancholy, gloomy".