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March 24, 2026
忧郁(憂鬱)yōuyù(you1yu4)
忧郁 (yōu yù) refers to a state of deep sadness or melancholy, often characterized by a prolonged sense of unhappiness or gloom. It is commonly used to describe emotions related to depression or a sullen demeanor, and can be applied to both people and situations.
Frequency#6565DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, discussing feelings of 忧郁 (melancholy) can be stigmatized, but there is a growing awareness and acceptance of mental health issues, especially among younger generations. This word often appears in poetry and literature, reflecting the traditional appreciation for expressing deep emotions.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person sitting alone under a cloudy sky, feeling heavy-hearted. The first character '忧' (yōu) has a heart component (心) under a roof (亠), suggesting worries that weigh down on the heart, while '郁' (yù) evokes the image of a garden (阝) where flowers are wilting, signifying a lack of joy.
Meanings of 忧郁
yōuyù(you1yu4)
1sullen
2depressed
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 忧郁
忧郁Simplified
憂鬱Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#6565Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 忧郁
Podcast: 忧郁
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AI Study Notes for 忧郁
Quick Contrast
忧伤 (yōushāng) refers to sorrow or grief, typically associated with a specific loss, whereas 忧郁 (yōuyù) denotes a more pervasive and prolonged state of melancholy.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person sitting alone under a cloudy sky, feeling heavy-hearted. The first character '忧' (yōu) has a heart component (心) under a roof (亠), suggesting worries that weigh down on the heart, while '郁' (yù) evokes the image of a garden (阝) where flowers are wilting, signifying a lack of joy.
Usage Notes
Be cautious with the tone of this word; it tends to carry a heavy emotional weight and is more appropriate in serious contexts. Common collocations include '忧郁症' (depression) and '忧郁的心情' (melancholic mood). Avoid using it in lighthearted conversations.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 6 word, 忧郁 is related to emotional vocabulary, which often includes terms for feelings and mental states. Students should focus on understanding its nuances in contexts of mental health discussions and literature.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, discussing feelings of 忧郁 (melancholy) can be stigmatized, but there is a growing awareness and acceptance of mental health issues, especially among younger generations. This word often appears in poetry and literature, reflecting the traditional appreciation for expressing deep emotions.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 忧郁 with 快乐 (happy) due to their emotional nature; for example, saying '我很忧郁的' instead of '我很忧郁'. The correct form is '我很忧郁'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 忧郁
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Grammar Patterns of 忧郁
忧郁 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. It carries 4 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
他最初面对媒体时情绪有点____。
He faced the press, initially, in a somewhat subdued mood.
Example Sentences for 忧郁 (6)
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1
他最初面对媒体时情绪有点忧郁。
tā zuì chū miàn duì méi tǐ shí qíng xù yǒu diǎn yōu yù。
He faced the press, initially, in a somewhat subdued mood.
2
他们碰见她独自一人神色忧郁地走在海滩上。
tā mén pèng jiàn tā dú zì yī rén shén sè yōu yù dì zǒu zài hǎi tān shàng。
They found her walking alone and depressed on the beach.
3
那个女孩是他的幻觉，是他那忧郁不安的头脑妄想出来的。
nà gè nǚ hái shì tā de huàn jué， ， shì tā nà yōu yù bù ān de tóu nǎo wàng xiǎng chū lái。
The girl was a mirage, cast up by his troubled mind.
4
他笑容忧郁地凝视着我，闪亮的眼睛里空无一物。
tā xiào róng yōu yù dì níng shì zháo wǒ， ， shǎn liàng de yǎn jīng lǐ kōng wú yī。
He fixed me with those luminous, empty eyes and his melancholy smile.
Morris extended his empty hands with a melancholy smile.
Cultural Notes for 忧郁
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, discussing feelings of 忧郁 (melancholy) can be stigmatized, but there is a growing awareness and acceptance of mental health issues, especially among younger generations. This word often appears in poetry and literature, reflecting the traditional appreciation for expressing deep emotions.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
In Western cultures, depression is often discussed more openly compared to its portrayal in Chinese culture, where emotional expressions may be more subdued.
Frequently Asked Questions about 忧郁
忧郁 (yōu yù) refers to a deep, often prolonged melancholy, while 悲伤 (bēi shāng) is more associated with immediate sorrow or grief.
Yes, 忧郁 can describe a mood or atmosphere, such as '忧郁的天气' (melancholic weather).
It is not commonly used in casual conversations, but it may appear in discussions about mental health or literature.
