German word

melancholisch

Pronunciation

IPA/melaŋˈkoːlɪʃ/

Meaning

  • adjectivesad

Example

Das melancholische Lied berührte mich.

The sad song touched me.

Illustration for melancholisch (sad)

More examples

Im Park lag eine melancholische Stimmung.

A melancholy mood hung over the park.

Core concept

A dim evening song leaves a calm, thoughtful sadness in the room rather than a sharp cry of grief.

Common phrases

  • eine melancholische Stimmung

    a melancholy mood

  • melancholisch wirken

    seem melancholy

  • melancholische Musik

    melancholy music

Similar words

traurig: An everyday feeling of sadness or low spirits.
wehmütig: A poignant sadness colored by longing for past times or lost things.
nostalgisch: A warm, wistful feeling tied to fond memories of the past.
deprimiert: A deep, persistent low mood that interferes with daily activities.

Definition in German

Traurige, aber ruhige Stimmung ohne heftigen Kummer, oft mit nachdenkischem Ton.

Word origin

German melancholisch comes through Latin melancholicus from Greek melankholikos, derived from melankholia, the ancient term associated with black bile.

Usage tips

  • German melancholisch often describes music, art, landscapes, or moods, whereas traurig is the broader everyday adjective for sadness.

Other meanings

  • gloomyadjective
  • wistfuladjective

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word