Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
沮丧(沮喪)jǔsàng(ju3sang4)
The word 沮丧 (ju3 sang4) describes a state of feeling dispirited or dejected, often as a reaction to setbacks or disappointments. It is commonly used in both personal and professional contexts, conveying a sense of emotional low or dismay when expectations are not met.
Frequency#2795DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, expressing feelings of 沮丧 is often seen as a sign of vulnerability, which can be less openly discussed compared to Western cultures. This term can also be related to the societal pressures of success, where setbacks may lead to feelings of shame or inadequacy.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person trying to climb a mountain (representing their goals), but suddenly they slip and fall. The feeling of 'ju3 sang4' is like looking down in despair, realizing they have to start over. The character 沮 (ju3) has a radical of water (氵), suggesting a flood of negative emotions, while 丧 (sang4) relates to loss, making it easier to remember the feeling of being overwhelmed.
Meanings of 沮丧
jǔsàng(ju3sang4)
1dispirited
2dejected
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 沮丧
沮丧Simplified
沮喪Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#2795Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 沮丧
Podcast: 沮丧
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 沮丧
Quick Contrast
失望 (shīwàng) - use 沮丧 when emphasizing a deeper emotional state of dejection compared to the more general feeling of disappointment conveyed by 失望.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person trying to climb a mountain (representing their goals), but suddenly they slip and fall. The feeling of 'ju3 sang4' is like looking down in despair, realizing they have to start over. The character 沮 (ju3) has a radical of water (氵), suggesting a flood of negative emotions, while 丧 (sang4) relates to loss, making it easier to remember the feeling of being overwhelmed.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 沮丧 with similar words like 失望 (shī wàng), which means disappointment. While both convey negative emotions, 沮丧 is deeper and more persistent. This term is generally used in informal settings; in formal contexts, consider using words like '失去信心' (shī qù xìn xīn) for a more nuanced expression of losing confidence.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 6 word, 沮丧 connects well with other emotional vocabulary in this level, such as 兴奋 (xīng fèn) for excitement, allowing students to explore a range of emotional expressions. Focus on understanding its nuances and practice using it in sentences that describe feelings and reactions.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, expressing feelings of 沮丧 is often seen as a sign of vulnerability, which can be less openly discussed compared to Western cultures. This term can also be related to the societal pressures of success, where setbacks may lead to feelings of shame or inadequacy.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 沮丧 with 忧伤 (yōu shāng), which means sorrowful. For example, saying '我感到忧伤' (wǒ gǎn dào yōu shāng) might be incorrect if they mean to express feeling dejected after a failure; it should be '我感到沮丧' (wǒ gǎn dào ju3 sang4) instead.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 沮丧
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 沮丧 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 沮丧 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Grammar Patterns of 沮丧
沮丧 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 3 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.
In Chinese culture, expressing feelings of 沮丧 is often seen as a sign of vulnerability, which can be less openly discussed compared to Western cultures. This term can also be related to the societal pressures of success, where setbacks may lead to feelings of shame or inadequacy.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
In Western cultures, expressing feelings of disappointment or being down may be more openly discussed, whereas in Chinese culture, such emotions may be internalized due to societal expectations.
Frequently Asked Questions about 沮丧
While 失望 (shī wàng) means disappointment, 沮丧 (ju3 sang4) conveys a deeper sense of dejection and ongoing emotional struggle.
It's generally more informal; in formal writing or speech, it's better to choose synonyms that convey the idea of losing confidence or morale.
Common phrases include 沮丧的情绪 (ju3 sang4 de qíng xù) meaning 'feelings of dejection'.
