Japanese word

うつ

Pronunciation

Romajiutsu

Meaning

  • noundepression

Example

友達がうつについて話してくれました。tomo dachi ga u tsu ni tsu i te hana shi te ku re ma shi ta

My friend talked to me about depression.

Illustration for うつ (depression)

More examples

医師に相談して、うつへの理解が深まりました。i shi ni sō dan shi te u tsu e no ri kai ga fuka ma ri ma shi ta

After consulting a doctor, I gained a better understanding of depression.

Core concept

Refers to a persistent state of sadness or emptiness that affects how a person feels, thinks, and functions.

Common phrases

  • うつになるu tsu ni na ru

    become depressed

  • うつを治療するu tsu o chi ryō su ru

    treat depression

  • うつの予防u tsu no yo bō

    prevention of depression

  • うつから回復するu tsu ka ra kai fuku su ru

    recover from depression

Similar words

抑うつyokuutsu: A depressed emotional state described in formal medical or psychological language.
憂鬱yūutsu: A feeling of gloom or sadness that can occur without a diagnosed disorder.

Definition in Japanese

気分の落ち込みが続き、考え方や生活に影響を及ぼす心の病気。ki bun no o chi ko mi ga tsuzu ki kanga e kata ya sei katsu ni ei kyō o oyo bo su kokoro no byō ki

Word origin

The modern noun うつ (utsu, "depression") comes from the shortened form of うつ病 (utsubyō, "depressive illness"), a compound in which 病 (byō, "illness") identifies the condition as a disease.

Usage tips

  • The English word depression also means an economic downturn or a lowered area, but うつ (utsu) in this sense concerns a person's mental health.

Other meanings

  • low spiritsnoun

Opposites

  • 躁sōmanianoun

Word lists with this word