Inklingo

How to Say "dismal" in Spanish

English → Spanish

deprimente

/deh-pree-MEHN-teh//depɾiˈmente/

adjectiveB1general
Use 'deprimente' when 'dismal' refers to a situation, environment, or result that is bleak, discouraging, or oppressive.
A single wilted flower in a pot, drooping under a small gray rain cloud.

Examples

Las condiciones de vida en ese barrio son deprimentes.

The living conditions in that neighborhood are dismal.

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).

triste

/TREES-teh//ˈtɾiste/

adjectiveA2general
Choose 'triste' when 'dismal' is used to describe something that evokes sadness or is generally unhappy, like a forecast or a story.
A simple, gloomy landscape illustration showing heavy gray clouds covering the sky and soft rain falling onto a dark green field.

Examples

A pesar de la lluvia, el panorama no era del todo triste.

Despite the rain, the outlook wasn't entirely dismal.

Es una historia muy triste.

It's a very sad story.

No me gustan los días tristes y grises.

I don't like sad, gray days.

Fue un triste final para un gran equipo.

It was a sad ending for a great team.

Using 'Ser' for Characteristics

To describe the basic quality of a thing or situation, use the verb 'ser'. For example, 'La película es triste' means the movie is inherently a sad one.

Same Form for Masculine and Feminine

'Triste' doesn't change for masculine or feminine things. You say 'un libro triste' (a sad book) and 'una película triste' (a sad movie). It always ends in '-e'.

Deprimente vs. Triste

Learners often confuse 'deprimente' and 'triste' because both convey negativity. Remember that 'deprimente' is stronger and usually applies to objective conditions or results, while 'triste' is more about general feelings of sadness.

Related Translations

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