Meaning
to feel depressed; to feel down; to be dejected; to feel discouraged
Nuance & Usage
落ち込む describes the emotional state of feeling down, depressed, or discouraged. It is more casual and conversational than 憂鬱になる (yuutsu ni naru — to become melancholic) or 落胆する (rakutan suru — to be disappointed, formal). 落ち込んでいる (ochikonde iru — feeling down/depressed right now) is a common expression. Common uses: 失敗して落ち込む (feel down after failing), そんなに落ち込まないで (don't be so down about it). It captures moderate to significant sadness/discouragement, not clinical depression (うつ病 — utsubyou).
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes use 悲しい (kanashii — sad) where 落ち込む would be more natural. 悲しい is for emotional sadness (losing someone, a sad movie); 落ち込む describes being in a slump or discouraged state (after failure, rejection, bad news). Also: 落ち込む literally means "to fall in/drop into" — so it captures the feeling of sinking emotionally. Don't confuse with 落とす (otosu — to drop something) or 転ぶ (korobu — to fall down physically).
Example Sentences
試験に失敗してかなり落ち込んでいます。
しけんにしっぱいしてかなりおちこんでいます。
I'm feeling quite down after failing the exam.
そんなに落ち込まないで。また次があるよ。
そんなにおちこまないで。またつぎがあるよ。
Don't feel so down about it. There's always a next time.
落ち込んでいるときは、友達と話すと気持ちが楽になります。
おちこんでいるときは、ともだちとはなすときもちがらくになります。
When I'm feeling down, talking with friends makes me feel better.
Quick Quiz
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