陰気(いんき)

いんき
na-adjective
gloomy; dreary; melancholy
1. gloomy; dreary; melancholy
having a dark, depressing, or cheerless quality
陰気(いんき)な天気(てんき)が続(つづ)く。
The gloomy weather continues.
この部屋(へや)は陰気(いんき)な雰囲気(ふんいき)がある。
This room has a dreary atmosphere.
彼(かれ)は陰気(いんき)な顔(かお)をして黙(だま)っていた。
He sat silently with a gloomy expression.

陰気(いんき) is a na-adjective describing a dark, gloomy, or depressing quality in people, places, weather, or atmosphere.

ETYMOLOGY:
陰(いん) (yin, shadow, negative) + 気(き) (spirit, atmosphere). Rooted in the 陰陽(いんよう) (yin-yang) concept.

FORMS:

  • Na-adjective: 陰気(いんき)な雰囲気(ふんいき) (gloomy atmosphere)
  • Adverbial: 陰気(いんき)に黙(だま)り込(こ)む (sit in gloomy silence)

CAN DESCRIBE:

  • 天気(てんき): weather (dreary, overcast)
  • 雰囲気(ふんいき): atmosphere (depressing)
  • 性格(せいかく): personality (gloomy, somber)
  • 場所(ばしょ): places (dark, cheerless)

CONTRAST:

  • 陽気(ようき): cheerful, lively, bright — the direct opposite
  • 暗(くら)い: dark (more general, also literal darkness)
  • 憂鬱(ゆううつ): depressed, melancholy (focuses on internal feelings)
  • じめじめ: damp and gloomy (onomatopoeia, physical sensation)

Related Words

Antonym: 陽気(ようき) (cheerful)
general
Added 2026.1.28 8:50 · Revised 2026.4.7 17:42
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