1.
to become depressed, to brood, to mope, to feel gloomy
To sink into a state of gloom or depression, withdrawing from activity and social interaction. Implies shutting oneself off emotionally and dwelling on negative feelings.
彼女はずっと塞ぎ込んでいる。
She has been feeling down for a long time.
失恋してから部屋に塞ぎ込んでしまった。
After the breakup, I shut myself away in my room and moped.
試験に落ちたショックで何日も塞ぎ込んでいたが、友人の励ましで元気を取り戻した。
I was so shocked by failing the exam that I moped for days, but I regained my spirits thanks to my friend's encouragement.
USAGE:
Often used in the ～ている form to describe an ongoing state of gloom: 塞ぎ込んでいる (is moping / has been depressed). The ～込む ending adds the nuance of sinking deeply into a state.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 部屋に塞ぎ込む: shut oneself away in one's room
- ずっと塞ぎ込む: mope for a long time
- 一人で塞ぎ込む: brood alone
SIMILAR WORDS:
塞ぎ込む implies withdrawal and brooding — a deeper state than simply feeling sad. 落ち込む (to feel down) is more common in everyday speech and less intense. 沈み込む (to sink into gloom) is similar but emphasizes the sinking quality.