五 月 病(ごがつびょう)

ごがつびょう

noun

May blues; post-vacation depression

1. May blues; a state of lethargy or depression affecting new employees and students in May

a form of adjustment disorder common in Japan, occurring around May when the initial excitement of a new job or school year wears off and reality sets in after the Golden Week holiday

新入社員(しんにゅうしゃいん)は五月病(ごがつびょう)になりやすい。

New employees are prone to May blues.

ゴールデンウィーク明(あ)けに五月病(ごがつびょう)になった。

I got the May blues after Golden Week ended.

五月病(ごがつびょう)を防(ふせ)ぐには、無理(むり)をせず休養(きゅうよう)を取(と)ることが大事(だいじ)だ。

To prevent May blues, it's important to rest and not push yourself too hard.

Forms

五月(ごがつ) (May) + 病(びょう) (illness) → May sickness

Cultural note

In Japan, the fiscal and academic year begins in April. By May, after the long Golden Week holiday (ゴールデンウィーク), new employees and students often experience:

Loss of motivation
Fatigue and exhaustion
Difficulty adjusting to new environment
Feelings of inadequacy

Symptoms

やる気(き)が出(で)ない (lack of motivation)
疲(つか)れやすい (easily tired)
食欲(しょくよく)がない (loss of appetite)
眠(ねむ)れない (insomnia)

Related words

適応障害(てきおうしょうがい) (adjustment disorder)
燃(も)え尽(つ)き症候群(しょうこうぐん) (burnout syndrome)
新生活(しんせいかつ) (new life/lifestyle)

Related Words

Related: 適応障害(てきおうしょうがい) (adjustment disorder)

Related: 燃(も)え尽(つ)き症候群(しょうこうぐん) (burnout syndrome)

Related: 新生活(しんせいかつ) (new life/lifestyle)

general

Added 2026.1.26 13:16 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

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