郁郁寡欢
yù yù guǎ huān
unhappy and in low spirits; downcast
Character by character
郁yù
gloomy
gloomy
郁yù
gloomy
gloomy
寡guǎ
few
few
欢huān
joys
joys
Example
自从退休以后，爷爷整天郁郁寡欢，连最爱下的象棋也不下了。
Since he retired, Grandpa has been downcast all day long and has even given up the chess he loved.
Tone: neutral.
Usage and origin
A written phrase for a lasting gloom rather than one bad moment; 寡 means few, as in 沉默寡言. It describes a mood, not a diagnosis, though a gloom that lasts can be the first sign that someone needs help.
Learn this in Lesson 162 · HSK 7–9: 抑郁症不是矫情 (Depression is not oversensitivity)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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