Entry
しょんぼり
shonbori
Describes a quiet, visually observable state of being disheartened, sad, or disappointed, often accompanied by drooping shoulders.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This mimetic word focuses on the visual manifestation of sadness or disappointment. It conveys an image of someone whose energy has deflated, leaving them looking lonely, with slumping shoulders and a downward gaze. It is often used for children or pets who have been scolded.
- Looking dejected due to disappointment
- Drooping after being scolded
Sense Map
Dejected/Disappointed
A visually downhearted appearance caused by unfulfilled hopes or a minor failure.
テストに落ちてしょんぼりする
Deflated from Scolding
Drooping shoulders and a loss of energy after being reprimanded.
叱られてしょんぼりしている
Usage Note
How to Use
しょんぼりする
Functions as a verb meaning to be downhearted or to look dejected.
しょんぼりと + verb
Acts as an adverb modifying actions done in a dejected manner, such as walking or sitting.
しょんぼりした + noun
Modifies a noun, often describing a figure or face that looks dispirited.
How to Use
Common Phrases
しょんぼりする
to be downhearted / to look dejected
しょんぼりと歩く
to trudge / to walk dejectedly
しょんぼりした後ろ姿
a dejected-looking back
しょんぼりして帰る
to go home crestfallen
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Being scolded | neutral | Extremely common for describing children or pets who look visibly sorry and deflated. |
| Failing or losing | neutral | Paints a picture of someone whose shoulders have slumped after losing a game or failing an exam. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
しょぼん しょぼん / similar | When someone's energy deflates suddenly, often with a slightly comical or cute nuance. | しょぼん is more about the instant popping of enthusiasm, whereas しょんぼり implies a lingering state of lonely dejection. | しょぼんとする |
しゅんと しゅんと / similar | When someone shrinks into themselves and goes completely quiet after being scolded. | Focuses on the sudden quietness and shrinking behavior rather than the sad, lonely posture emphasized by しょんぼり. | 怒られてシュンとする |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it for deep grief or tragic loss.
しょんぼり is for mild to moderate sadness and disappointment, not profound grief or mourning.
Using it to describe purely internal disappointment.
If you are disappointed but hiding it, がっかり (gakkari) is better. しょんぼり requires the sadness to be visually apparent.
Examples
Examples
彼はテストに落ちて、しょんぼりしている。
かれ は テスト に おちて、 しょんぼり している。
He failed the test and looks dejected.
VisualDescribes the deflated, sad posture of disappointment.
叱られた子供が、しょんぼりと歩いている。
しかられた こども が、 しょんぼり と あるいている。
The scolded child is walking dejectedly.
VisualShows the loss of energy in their walk after being reprimanded.
彼女のしょんぼりした後ろ姿を見て、かわいそうになった。
かのじょ の しょんぼり した うしろすがた を みて、 かわいそう に なった。
Seeing her dejected back made me feel sorry for her.
VisualThe phrase shonbori shita ushirosugata (a dejected back) is very common in Japanese.
犬は飼い主が出かけてしまい、しょんぼり座っている。
いぬ は かいぬし が でかけて しまい、 しょんぼり すわっている。
The dog is sitting dejectedly because its owner went out.
VisualFrequently used to describe the sad body language of pets.
試合に負けて、みんなしょんぼりして帰った。
しあい に まけて、 みんな しょんぼり して かえった。
Having lost the match, everyone went home crestfallen.
VisualDescribes the deflated atmosphere of an entire group.
Similar Words
しょぼん
shobon
しょぼん means to feel suddenly dejected or downhearted, often visibly showing a deflated or drooping posture. Focuses more on the sudden deflation of enthusiasm.
シュンと
shunto
To suddenly lose one's spirit, become downcast, or shrink emotionally. Focuses on going quiet and shrinking after a scolding.
Questions
What is the difference between しょんぼり and がっかり?
がっかり (gakkari) describes the internal feeling of disappointment when expectations are not met. しょんぼり (shonbori) focuses on the external appearance of looking sad and lonely as a result.
Can I use しょんぼり for animals?
Yes, it is very commonly used for pets, like a dog looking sad because its owner left the house.
Is しょんぼり used for crying?
Not usually for active sobbing. It is more about quiet, deflated sadness, though someone might shed a quiet tear while being しょんぼり.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1005740
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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