Entry
シュンと
shunto
To suddenly lose one's spirit, become downcast, or shrink emotionally.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
シュンと describes a sudden shift to a downcast, sad, or dispirited state. It is typically used when someone is scolded, realizes a mistake, or experiences a disappointment, causing their usual cheerfulness, confidence, or momentum to immediately vanish.
- Downcast after a scolding
- Dispirited by disappointment
Sense Map
Scolding and Mistakes
Used when a person (or animal) suddenly shrinks back, falls silent, or visibly loses confidence immediately after being reprimanded or caught making a mistake.
怒られてシュンとする。
Disappointment
Used when someone's excitement or cheerfulness abruptly deflates due to rejection, bad news, or things not going as planned.
断られてシュンとなる。
Usage Note
How to Use
シュンとする
The most common verb pairing, meaning 'to act or feel dejected / to lose one's spirit'.
シュンとなる
Similar to 'suru', but emphasizes the natural transition into a dispirited state (to become downcast).
シュンとして
The te-form, used to connect clauses, meaning 'being dejected and... / doing something while downcast'.
シュンとした + noun
Modifies a noun, often a face (顔) or back (背中), to describe a dejected appearance.
How to Use
Common Phrases
シュンとする
to become dispirited / dejected
シュンとなる
to turn gloomy / lose momentum
怒られてシュンとする
to shrink back after being scolded
シュンとした顔
a dejected look / gloomy face
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Being scolded by a boss or teacher | neutral | Perfect for describing the exact moment a confident person loses their nerve upon being corrected. |
| A pet caught misbehaving | positive | Often used affectionately to describe a dog or cat that lowers its head or ears when it knows it did something wrong. |
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 emphasizing a lingering, lonely, or physically drooping state of sadness. | しょんぼり focuses more on the ongoing, visual state of looking lonely and droopy, while シュンと focuses on the sudden momentary loss of spirit or confidence. | 一人でしょんぼり座っている。 |
しょぼん しょぼん / similar | Use as a very casual expression of mild disappointment, often used as an interjection or mimicking a sad emoticon. | しょぼん is more colloquial, cute, and self-referential regarding mild letdowns compared to the slightly more descriptive シュンと. | 点数が低くてしょぼんとした。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using シュンと to describe physical objects shrinking.
This word is purely psychological and metaphorical. To describe a sweater shrinking in the wash, use verbs like 縮む (chijimu).
Using it for serious mourning or clinical depression.
シュンと implies a situational, relatively mild to moderate deflation of spirit. For profound grief or serious depression, use 悲しむ (kanashimu) or 落ち込む (ochikomu).
Examples
Examples
先生に厳しく怒られて、彼はシュンとなった。
せんせいにきびしくおこられて、かれはシュンとなった。
Scolded strictly by the teacher, he became dejected.
LiteralShows the moment someone loses their spirit due to a reprimand.
遊びに行けないと聞いて、子供たちはシュンとしてしまった。
あそびにいけないときいて、こどもたちはシュンとしてしまった。
Hearing that they couldn't go play, the children immediately became downcast.
FigurativeDescribes sudden disappointment when hopes are not met.
自分の失敗に気づいて、急にシュンとする。
じぶんのしっぱいりにきづいて、きゅうにシュンとする。
Realizing his own mistake, he suddenly lost his nerve.
LiteralUsage for when someone realizes a fault and their confidence vanishes.
シュンとした顔で、彼女は部屋を出ていった。
シュンとしたかおで、かのじょはへやをでていった。
With a dejected face, she left the room.
VisualUsing 'shunto shita' to describe a physical appearance (a face).
イタズラが見つかった犬は、シュンとしている。
イタズラがみつかったいぬは、シュンとしている。
The dog, having been caught misbehaving, is looking downcast.
VisualOften used for pets that appear guilty.
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. Focuses more on a lingering, visually droopy state of sadness.
しょぼん
shobon
しょぼん means to feel suddenly dejected or downhearted, often visibly showing a deflated or drooping posture. A colloquial expression for mild disappointment.
Questions
Can I use シュンと for myself?
Yes. You can say 'シュンとしてしまった' to describe how you instantly lost your confidence or felt dejected after an event.
What is the difference between シュンと and 落ち込む?
落ち込む (ochikomu) is a standard verb for 'to get depressed/down' which can last a long time. シュンと is an adverb highlighting the sudden visual or emotional 'deflation' at a specific moment.
Is there a relation to the sound of silence 'シーン' (shiin)?
No. While they sound slightly similar, 'シーン' represents dead silence, whereas 'シュンと' represents an emotional shrinking or loss of energy.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2261910
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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