Inklingo

How to Say "depressing" in Spanish

English → Spanish

deprimente

deh-pree-MEHN-tehdepɾiˈmente

adjectiveB1general
Use this word to describe something that causes or induces feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or discouragement.
A single wilted flower in a pot, drooping under a small gray rain cloud.

Examples

Es deprimente ver la ciudad tan vacía.

It is depressing to see the city so empty.

La película tuvo un final muy deprimente.

The movie had a very depressing ending.

No quiero vivir en un lugar tan deprimente.

I don't want to live in such a gloomy place.

One size fits all

This word doesn't change based on gender. Whether you are describing a 'libro' (masculine) or a 'película' (feminine), you always use 'deprimente'.

The 'Depressing' vs. 'Depressed' Trap

Mistake: “Using 'deprimente' to say you are feeling sad.”

Correction: Use 'deprimido' for people's feelings and 'deprimente' for the thing that causes the feeling. Say 'Estoy deprimido' (I am depressed), but 'La noticia es deprimente' (The news is depressing).

depresivo

deh-preh-SEE-bohdepɾeˈsiβo

adjectiveB1general
Use this word to describe a state or condition of being affected by depression, often in a medical or psychological context.
A small blue bird sitting alone on a branch under a single rain cloud while other birds fly together in the distance.

Examples

Él está pasando por un episodio depresivo.

He is going through a depressive episode.

La película tenía un tono muy depresivo.

The movie had a very depressing tone.

Me siento un poco depresivo por el clima gris.

I feel a bit depressed because of the gray weather.

Matching the Gender

This word changes its ending based on who or what you are describing. Use 'depresivo' for masculine things/men and 'depresiva' for feminine things/women.

Placement Matters

Usually, placing 'depresivo' after the noun (like 'un hombre depresivo') describes a characteristic. Placing it before can sometimes add a more poetic or dramatic emphasis.

Depresivo vs. Deprimente

Mistake: “Esa noticia es muy depresiva.”

Correction: Esa noticia es muy deprimente. Use 'deprimente' for things that make you feel sad, and 'depresivo' for the clinical state or a person's temperament.

Deprimente vs. Depresivo

Learners often confuse 'deprimente' and 'depresivo'. Remember that 'deprimente' describes the *cause* of sadness (something is depressing), while 'depresivo' describes the *state* of being sad or experiencing depression.

Related Translations

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