(ものう)

ものうい
i-adjective
languid; listless; weary; melancholic
1. languid; listless; weary; melancholic
Feeling or appearing tired, lacking energy or motivation; having a dreamy, melancholic quality.
物憂(ものう)表情(ひょうじょう)(まど)(そと)()ていた。
She was looking out the window with a languid expression.
物憂(ものう)午後(ごご)時間(じかん)()ぎていく。
The languid afternoon hours pass by.
(あめ)()(なん)となく物憂(ものう)気分(きぶん)になる。
On rainy days, I somehow feel listless.

物憂(ものう)い describes a languid, melancholic state.

WORD FORMATION:

  • (もの) (thing, general) + ()い (sad, gloomy)
  • The (もの) adds a sense of vagueness or generalness

NUANCE:

物憂(ものう)い has a literary, poetic quality. It suggests:

  • A dreamy, melancholic mood
  • Lack of energy or motivation
  • A certain aesthetic appeal (like ennui)

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 物憂(ものう)表情(ひょうじょう): languid expression
  • 物憂(ものう)午後(ごご): languid afternoon
  • 物憂(ものう)気分(きぶん): listless mood
  • 物憂(ものう)げ: appearing languid (adjectival)

ADVERBIAL FORM:
物憂(ものう)げに: languidly, listlessly

RELATED WORDS:

  • (だる)い: tired, sluggish (more physical)
  • 憂鬱(ゆううつ): depressed (more negative)