沮丧
To be dejected
Literally: 沮 (to stop/dampen) + 丧 (to lose/mourn)
Use `沮丧` when you feel defeated by a specific event and have lost your motivation.
In 15 Seconds
- Describes feeling discouraged, dejected, or losing heart after a setback.
- Commonly used when expectations aren't met in work or life.
- More intense than 'sad' but less intense than 'depressed'.
Meaning
It describes that heavy, sinking feeling you get when things don't go your way and your spirit feels deflated. It's more than just being sad; it's feeling discouraged and losing your 'oomph'.
Key Examples
3 of 6Failing a driving test
没考过驾照，我感到很沮丧。
I feel very dejected because I didn't pass my driving test.
Encouraging a friend after a breakup
别这么沮丧，你会遇到更好的人。
Don't be so down, you'll meet someone better.
A business project being canceled
项目取消了，大家的情绪都很沮丧。
The project was canceled, and everyone's mood is very low.
Cultural Background
The term has roots in classical literature but has seen a massive resurgence in modern 'Sang (丧) Culture'. This subculture among Chinese youth embraces a sense of hopelessness or 'lying flat' as a response to intense societal competition. It reflects a shift from traditional stoicism to a more open, albeit cynical, expression of emotional exhaustion.
The 'Sang' Vibe
If you want to sound like a Gen-Z local, just use the first character `丧` (sàng) as an adjective. '我今天很丧' means you're having a low-energy, pessimistic day.
Not for Grief
Don't use `沮丧` for the loss of a loved one. It sounds too much like 'disappointment'. Use `悲伤` (bēishāng) for deep grief instead.
In 15 Seconds
- Describes feeling discouraged, dejected, or losing heart after a setback.
- Commonly used when expectations aren't met in work or life.
- More intense than 'sad' but less intense than 'depressed'.
What It Means
沮丧 is that specific mix of disappointment and low energy. Imagine you worked all night on a project and your boss hated it. That heavy feeling in your chest is 沮丧. It’s about feeling defeated or let down by a situation. It’s not a sharp, angry pain. It’s a quiet, low-battery kind of sadness.
How To Use It
You can use it as an adjective to describe yourself or someone else. You’ll often see it paired with 感到 (to feel) or 觉得 (to think/feel). You can also say someone looks very 沮丧. It’s a great word for when you want to sound more expressive than just saying 不开心 (unhappy). It adds a layer of 'I've lost my motivation' to the conversation.
When To Use It
Use it when life throws you a curveball. Use it after a failed exam or a bad date. It’s perfect for professional setbacks or personal letdowns. If your favorite sports team loses in the final minute, you are definitely 沮丧. It’s a very relatable, human emotion that people will immediately empathize with.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for small, fleeting annoyances. If you drop your ice cream, you’re probably just 难过 (sad) or 生气 (angry). 沮丧 implies a deeper sense of discouragement. Also, avoid using it in high-intensity mourning situations. It’s more about 'discouragement' than 'grief'. If you’re just bored, don’t use it either; it requires a reason for the low mood.
Cultural Background
The character 沮 relates to water being stopped or dampened. The character 丧 is linked to loss or mourning. Together, they paint a picture of your inner fire being put out. In Chinese culture, showing too much 沮丧 in public was traditionally discouraged to keep 'face'. However, modern generations use it freely to express the pressures of school and work life.
Common Variations
You might hear 垂头丧气, which is a four-character idiom. It literally means 'hanging your head and losing your spirit'. It’s a more visual way to say someone is 沮丧. People also use 很丧 as modern slang. It describes a whole 'vibe' of being unmotivated or pessimistic about life.
Usage Notes
The phrase is highly versatile and fits into almost any social register. Just remember that it focuses on the internal state of 'giving up' or 'losing spirit' rather than just external crying.
The 'Sang' Vibe
If you want to sound like a Gen-Z local, just use the first character `丧` (sàng) as an adjective. '我今天很丧' means you're having a low-energy, pessimistic day.
Not for Grief
Don't use `沮丧` for the loss of a loved one. It sounds too much like 'disappointment'. Use `悲伤` (bēishāng) for deep grief instead.
Body Language
In China, `沮丧` is often associated with the idiom '垂头丧气'. If you say you are `沮丧`, people might expect you to actually be looking at the floor!
Examples
6没考过驾照，我感到很沮丧。
I feel very dejected because I didn't pass my driving test.
Standard use describing a personal setback.
别这么沮丧，你会遇到更好的人。
Don't be so down, you'll meet someone better.
Used to comfort someone who looks visibly upset.
项目取消了，大家的情绪都很沮丧。
The project was canceled, and everyone's mood is very low.
Describes a collective feeling in a professional setting.
今天真倒霉，好沮丧啊！
Today was so unlucky, I'm so bummed out!
Informal use with an exclamation for emphasis.
看到镜子里的白头发，我有点沮丧。
Seeing the grey hairs in the mirror makes me a bit dejected.
Lighthearted use for a relatable 'mid-life' moment.
虽然输了比赛很沮丧，但我们尽力了。
Although losing the game is discouraging, we did our best.
Acknowledges the feeling while adding a positive spin.
Test Yourself
Choose the best word to describe feeling discouraged after a job rejection.
面试没通过，他一脸___地回了家。
`沮丧` fits the context of returning home with a defeated expression after a failed interview.
Complete the sentence to show empathy.
别___了，下次你一定能成功！
The speaker is encouraging the person to not feel dejected about a failure.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality of Expressing Sadness
Shortened, very casual
我很丧 (I'm so 'sang')
Standard daily use
我很沮丧 (I am dejected)
Literary or serious
神色沮丧 (A dejected expression)
When to use 沮丧
Career Setback
Promotion denied
Academic Failure
Failed exam
Sports Loss
Team loses final
Social Rejection
Crush says no
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNot exactly. While it can describe a symptom, 沮丧 is usually a temporary reaction to a specific event, whereas clinical depression is 抑郁 (yìyù).
It’s a bit dramatic for keys. Use 烦死了 (so annoying) for small inconveniences. Save 沮丧 for when you feel truly defeated.
You can say 我感到很沮丧 (Wǒ gǎndào hěn jǔsàng) or simply 我很沮丧 (Wǒ hěn jǔsàng).
Yes, it is neutral enough. For example, 我们对这个结果感到沮丧 (We feel dejected about this result) is professional yet honest.
The opposite would be 振奋 (zhènfèn - inspired/uplifted) or 兴高采烈 (xìnggāo-cǎiliè - cheerful/elated).
It describes a negative emotion, but using it isn't 'bad'. It shows you are being vulnerable and honest about your feelings.
You wouldn't call a movie 沮丧, but you could say 这部电影让人感到沮丧 (This movie makes people feel dejected).
It is very common in both. You'll see it in novels and hear it in daily heart-to-heart conversations.
难过 is general sadness (hurting heart). 沮丧 specifically includes a loss of confidence or spirit.
Yes, the 'Sang Culture' (丧文化) uses just the word 丧 to describe a lifestyle of being unmotivated and pessimistic.
Related Phrases
失落
Feeling lost or let down (often after a loss).
灰心
To lose heart or become discouraged.
低落
Downcast; usually used for 'mood' (情绪低落).
垂头丧气
To be in low spirits (idiom: hanging head in dejection).
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