1.
depression; depressive state
A state of persistent low mood and lack of motivation. In medical contexts, refers to clinical depression (鬱病). In everyday speech, describes feeling down or depressed.
最近、鬱っぽい。
I've been feeling kind of depressed lately.
友人が鬱と診断された。
My friend was diagnosed with depression.
長時間労働やストレスが原因で鬱になる人が増えており、社会問題になっている。
More people are developing depression due to long working hours and stress, making it a social issue.
2.
gloom; stuffiness; oppressive feeling
A heavy, stifling atmosphere or feeling. Used in literary and formal contexts to describe an oppressive mood or environment.
雨の日が続いて鬱な気分だ。
The consecutive rainy days are making me feel gloomy.
部屋に閉じこもっていると鬱になる。
Staying cooped up in my room makes me feel stifled.
梅雨の時期は鬱とした天気が続き、気持ちも沈みがちだ。
During the rainy season, the gloomy weather persists and one's mood tends to sink.
Often written in hiragana (うつ) or katakana (ウツ) because the kanji 鬱 has 29 strokes and is one of the most complex characters in common use.
SENSE 1 (depression):
The medical/clinical meaning. 鬱病 is the full term for clinical depression. In casual speech, 鬱 alone often implies clinical depression.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS (depression):
- 鬱になる (become depressed; develop depression)
- 鬱病 (depression, clinical)
- 鬱っぽい (feeling depressed, kind of down)
- 鬱状態 (depressive state)
SENSE 2 (gloom):
Describes a heavy, oppressive atmosphere or mood.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS (gloom):
- 鬱な気分 (gloomy mood)
- 鬱とした天気 (dreary weather)
- 鬱々とする (feel increasingly gloomy)
USAGE NOTES:
The slang internet expression 鬱だ死のう is a dramatic (often humorous) way to say "I'm so depressed." Not used in serious contexts.