Entry
しょぼん
shobon
しょぼん means to feel suddenly dejected or downhearted, often visibly showing a deflated or drooping posture.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word describes a state where someone suddenly loses their energy or feels disappointed, such as after a failure or being scolded. It strongly conveys the visual image of someone metaphorically shrinking, dropping their shoulders, or having a sad, pathetic expression.
- feeling dejected/disappointed
- looking physically deflated
Sense Map
Disappointment
Losing spirit or feeling down because of a failure or unmet expectations.
テストの点が悪くてしょぼんとする。
Dejected Appearance
Showing defeated body language, such as hanging one's head or dropping one's shoulders after being scolded.
怒られてしょぼんとした顔になる。
Usage Note
How to Use
しょぼんとする
Used as a verb to express the act or state of becoming dejected and downhearted.
しょぼんとした + noun
Acts as an adjective to describe a noun (like a face or back) that looks dejected.
しょぼんと + verb
Acts as an adverb modifying how an action (like walking or sitting) is done in a dispirited manner.
How to Use
Common Phrases
しょぼんとする
to feel dejected / downhearted
しょぼんとした顔
a dejected face
しょぼんと歩く
to walk dejectedly
すっかりしょぼんとする
to be completely deflated
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| After being scolded or making a mistake | neutral | Shows genuine regret or a sudden loss of confidence following a minor failure. |
| Pets or small children looking sad | positive | Often used to describe a sad appearance that invites sympathy and is viewed as endearing. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
しょんぼり しょんぼり / similar | Use when the sadness or loneliness is deeper and lasts for a longer period. | Unlike しょぼん, which focuses more on the sudden, balloon-like deflation of energy. | 部屋で一人しょんぼりしている。 |
しゅんと しゅんと / similar | Use when someone suddenly becomes quiet and shrinks away, especially right after a scolding. | Different from しょぼん, which puts more emphasis on the physical drooping posture and sad face. | 先生に怒られてシュンとする。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using しょぼん for physical objects like balloons or tires deflating.
Use しぼむ (shibomu) for inanimate objects losing air. しょぼん is strictly for the feelings or appearance of living beings.
Using this word for deep mourning or a major tragedy.
This word is quite light and can sometimes sound cute. Use 悲しむ (kanashimu) for serious sorrow.
Examples
Examples
怒られてしょぼんとする。
おこられてしょぼんとする。
Being scolded and feeling dejected.
LiteralShows a direct loss of spirit after being scolded.
彼はしょぼんとした顔で帰ってきた。
かれはしょぼんとしたかおでかえってきた。
He returned with a dejected face.
VisualFocuses on the facial expression that looks sad and drained of energy.
テストの点が悪くてしょぼんとしている。
テストのてんがわるくてしょぼんとしている。
Feeling down because of a bad test score.
LiteralA natural emotional reaction to a failure.
犬がしょぼんと肩を落としている。
いぬがしょぼんとかたをおとしている。
The dog is dropping its shoulders dejectedly.
VisualAn endearing visual image of a drooping body posture.
そんなにしょぼんとしないで。
そんなにしょぼんとしないで。
Don't be so downhearted.
FigurativeUsed to comfort someone who is feeling sad.
Similar Words
しょんぼり
shonbori
Describes a quiet, visually observable state of being disheartened, sad, or disappointed, often accompanied by drooping shoulders. A deeper, more lingering sadness or loneliness.
シュンと
shunto
To suddenly lose one's spirit, become downcast, or shrink emotionally. Becoming suddenly quiet and small, often after being scolded.
Questions
What is the difference between しょぼん (shobon) and がっかり (gakkari)?
がっかり focuses more on the internal psychological feeling of disappointment because expectations weren't met, while しょぼん emphasizes the sudden outward physical change of looking deflated and losing energy.
Can I use this word to talk about my own feelings?
Yes, you can use it to describe yourself, such as saying that you are feeling deflated or down today.
Is this a formal word?
No, it is a casual and expressive word. It is best suited for daily conversations, text messages, or light storytelling, not for official business reports.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2025370
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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