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How to Say "to depress" in Spanish

English → Spanish

deprimir

/deh-pree-MEER//depriˈmiɾ/

verbB1general
Use 'deprimir' when you want to say that something or someone is making another person feel sad, discouraged, or emotionally low.
A person sitting alone on a bench looking sad with their head down and a small rain cloud above them.

Examples

Las malas noticias me deprimen.

The bad news depresses me.

Las noticias grises me deprimen un poco.

The grey news depresses me a little.

No quiero deprimirte, pero el examen fue muy difícil.

I don't want to depress you, but the exam was very difficult.

Ella se deprime cuando llega el invierno.

She gets depressed when winter arrives.

Using the 'me/te/le' structure

Often, we use this word to say something 'depresses us.' In Spanish, the thing causing the sadness is the boss of the sentence: 'La lluvia (the rain) me deprime (depresses me).'

Becoming depressed

If you want to say you are 'getting' or 'falling into' a depressed state, add 'se' to the end (deprimirse). For example: 'Me deprimí' means 'I got depressed.'

Formal Contexts Only

You will almost never hear 'deprimir' used for pushing a button in casual conversation. People usually say 'pulsar' or 'apretar' instead.

Deprimir vs. Estar deprimido

Mistake: “Yo deprimo hoy.”

Correction: Estoy deprimido hoy.

deprimir

/deh-pree-MEER//depriˈmiɾ/

verbC1formal
Use this sense of 'deprimir' when referring to a decrease in the value, level, or activity of something, often in economic or medical contexts.
A person sitting alone on a bench looking sad with their head down and a small rain cloud above them.

Examples

La oferta hará deprimir los precios del mercado.

The sale will depress market prices.

Las noticias grises me deprimen un poco.

The grey news depresses me a little.

No quiero deprimirte, pero el examen fue muy difícil.

I don't want to depress you, but the exam was very difficult.

Ella se deprime cuando llega el invierno.

She gets depressed when winter arrives.

Using the 'me/te/le' structure

Often, we use this word to say something 'depresses us.' In Spanish, the thing causing the sadness is the boss of the sentence: 'La lluvia (the rain) me deprime (depresses me).'

Becoming depressed

If you want to say you are 'getting' or 'falling into' a depressed state, add 'se' to the end (deprimirse). For example: 'Me deprimí' means 'I got depressed.'

Formal Contexts Only

You will almost never hear 'deprimir' used for pushing a button in casual conversation. People usually say 'pulsar' or 'apretar' instead.

Deprimir vs. Estar deprimido

Mistake: “Yo deprimo hoy.”

Correction: Estoy deprimido hoy.

hundir

/oon-DEER//unˈdiɾ/

verbB2general
Choose 'hundir' when you mean that something will cause a person or their career, reputation, or project to fail or be ruined completely.
A tall tower made of colorful building blocks collapsing and falling down.

Examples

Ese escándalo va a hundir la carrera del político.

That scandal is going to ruin the politician's career.

La noticia de la muerte de su gato lo hundió en la tristeza.

The news of his cat's death plunged him into sadness.

Las deudas están hundiendo a la pequeña empresa.

Debts are sinking the small company.

Figurative Sinking

Just like in English, you can 'sink' into despair. In Spanish, you use 'en' to say what you are sinking into: 'Hundirse en la miseria'.

Emotional 'Sinking'

Mistake: “Saying 'Estoy hundido' to mean 'I am underwater'.”

Correction: While technically true, if you say 'Estoy hundido' to a friend, they will think you are severely depressed or ruined, not that you are swimming.

Emotional vs. Ruinous Impact

Learners often confuse 'deprimir' and 'hundir' when talking about negative impacts. Remember that 'deprimir' focuses on making someone feel sad or discouraged, while 'hundir' implies complete ruin or failure, often of a career or project.

Related Translations

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