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

an informal term, not a medical diagnosis, for the lethargy and low mood that can hit new employees and students around May, when the excitement of the April start has worn off and Golden Week is over

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), some new employees and students lose steam. 五月病 is an everyday label, not a diagnosis; a doctor would more likely say 適応障害(てきおうしょうがい).

Typical complaints

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 2026.9.25 9:23

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