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JLPT N129画 · 29 strokesradical 鬯

gloom, depression, melancholy, luxuriant

On'yomi (音読み)

  • ウツ

Kun'yomi (訓読み)

  • うっ.する
  • ふさ.ぐ
  • しげ.る

Mnemonic

A gloomy forest filled with dense, dark foliage suffocates any light, capturing the essence of deep melancholy like the kanji for depression itself.

About this kanji

The kanji 鬱 (utsu) primarily means gloom or depression, often used to describe a heavy or melancholic state of mind. This kanji typically appears in nouns and adjectives rather than verbs. For example, 憂鬱 (ゆううつ, yuuutsu) means depression, while 鬱陶しい (うっとうしい, uttoushii) describes something that is gloomy or bothersome. Another compound, 陰鬱 (いんうつ, in'utsu), conveys a sense of deep gloom, and 躁鬱 (そううつ, souutsu) refers to manic depression. It's important to note that while this kanji carries heavy emotional connotations, it can also reflect a sense of lushness when describing nature, such as a thick forest.

Example sentences

  • 彼の気分は鬱だった。

    His mood was depressed.

Meanings across languages

English
gloom, depression, melancholy, luxuriant
Tiếng Việt
u sầu, trầm cảm, buồn bã, rậm rạp
日本語
鬱, 憂鬱, 鬱蒼
한국어
우울, 우울증, 침울, 무성
中文
阴郁, 抑郁, 忧伤, 茂盛
id
kegelapan, depresi, melankolis
th
มืดมน, ภาวะซึมเศร้า, ซึมเศร้า
es
oscuridad, depresión, melancolía
fr
sombreur, dépression, mélancolie
de
Düsternis, Depression, Melancholie
pt
tristeza, depressão, melancolia

Common compounds

  • 憂鬱ゆううつdepression, melancholy, dejection
  • 鬱陶しいうっとうしいgloomy (e.g. mood), depressing, irritating
  • 陰鬱いんうつgloomy, melancholy, dreary
  • 鬱積うっせきaccumulation (of discontent, frustration, etc.), buildup, suppression (e.g. of anger)
  • 躁鬱そううつmanic depression, mood swing
  • 鬱蒼うっそうthick, dense, luxuriant
  • 鬱憤うっぷんresentment, grudge, pent-up anger
  • 鬱々うつうつgloomy, melancholy, pessimistic

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