Inklingo

depresión

deh-preh-SYOHNde.pɾeˈsjon

depresión means depression in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:

depressionAlso: clinical depression

NounfC1
A small person sitting alone on the ground under a large, heavy gray cloud that looms over them.

📝 In Action

Después de la pérdida, ella entró en una depresión profunda y necesitó terapia.

B2

After the loss, she entered a deep depression and needed therapy.

Si sientes una depresión prolongada, es crucial buscar ayuda profesional.

C1

If you feel prolonged depression, it is crucial to seek professional help.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • tristeza (sadness)
  • melancolía (melancholy)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • sufrir de depresiónto suffer from depression
  • superar la depresiónto overcome depression

depressionAlso: slump, recession

NounfB2formal
An illustration of a dusty, empty main street in a town where all the businesses are closed.

📝 In Action

La Gran Depresión de 1929 fue un periodo de gran pobreza mundial.

B2

The Great Depression of 1929 was a period of great global poverty.

Los analistas temen que la caída del mercado provoque una depresión a largo plazo.

C1

Analysts fear that the market crash will cause a long-term depression.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • crisis (crisis)
  • recesión (recession)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • depresión económicaeconomic depression

depressionAlso: hollow, dip

NounfB1
A clear illustration of a smooth, bowl-shaped dip or hollow in a green, grassy field.

📝 In Action

El agua se acumula en la pequeña depresión del patio.

B1

The water accumulates in the small dip in the patio.

Vimos una gran depresión en el paisaje causada por un antiguo volcán.

B2

We saw a large depression in the landscape caused by an old volcano.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • elevación (elevation)
  • montículo (mound)

Common Collocations

  • depresión atmosféricalow pressure system (weather)

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "depresión" in Spanish:

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: depresión

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'depresión' in its economic sense?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family
🎵 Rhymes
expresióntensión
📚 Etymology

The word comes from the Latin term *depressio*, which literally meant 'a pressing down' or 'a sinking.' This root explains all three Spanish meanings: pressing down on the mood, sinking the economy, or sinking the surface of the earth.

First recorded: 15th century (in Spanish, the psychological meaning developed much later)

Cognates (Related words)

English: depressionFrench: dépression

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Frequently Asked Questions

Since 'depresión' is feminine, do I always use 'la' with it?

Yes, 'depresión' is a feminine noun, so you must always use feminine articles and adjectives with it (e.g., 'la depresión,' 'una depresión profunda').

What is the difference between 'depresión' and 'tristeza'?

'Tristeza' means sadness and is a normal human emotion. 'Depresión' refers to a serious, prolonged medical or psychological state that requires professional attention. It is much more severe than just being sad.