鬱: the kanji for gloom; depression
鬱 is a Jōyō kanji that means gloom; depression. Below are its readings, 3 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
鬱 is written in 29 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
鬱 has 1 reading in the official Jōyō Kanji Table. Below are 3 common words grouped by reading. Tap ▶ to hear each word (audio plays with a free account).
ウツ (utsu)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 憂鬱ゆううつ · yūutsu | gloomy; depressed |
| 鬱病うつびょう · utsubyō | depression (illness) |
| 鬱陶しいうっとうしい · uttōshii | gloomy; annoying |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- 月曜日の朝は少し憂鬱です。Getsuyōbi no asa wa sukoshi yūutsu desu.Monday mornings are a little gloomy.
- 雨が続いて鬱陶しいですね。Ame ga tsuzuite uttōshii desu ne.This constant rain is so dreary.
- 鬱病は治療できる病気です。Utsubyō wa chiryō dekiru byōki desu.Depression is an illness that can be treated.
- 鬱の症状があるときは、一人で悩まず医者に相談してください。Utsu no shōjō ga aru toki wa, hitori de nayamazu isha ni sōdan shite kudasai.If you have symptoms of depression, don't struggle alone; talk to a doctor.
- 試験の前は憂鬱な気分になる。Shiken no mae wa yūutsu na kibun ni naru.I feel down before exams.
Questions about 鬱
How many strokes does 鬱 have?
鬱 is written in 29 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 鬱?
The on readings are utsu (ウツ). 鬱 has no kun reading in the Jōyō Kanji Table.
What JLPT level is 鬱?
鬱 is a Jōyō kanji, but it is not in the N5–N1 kanji lists on this site. The JLPT does not publish official kanji lists, so other study materials may place 鬱 at a JLPT level.
About the JLPT level
鬱 is one of the 2,136 kanji in the official Jōyō Kanji Table, but it is not in the N5–N1 kanji lists on this site. The JLPT does not publish official lists of kanji for each level. Our lists are a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used for the test through 2009 and on the levels that several learning sites agree on, so other study materials may place 鬱 at a JLPT level. See the list of Jōyō kanji outside our JLPT lists.
More Jōyō kanji
Executive Japanese by CCN is one-on-one online Japanese for managers and directors doing business in Japan.
Sources
- Jōyō Kanji Table (常用漢字表), Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan, 2010: readings and special readings of 鬱
- JLPT Frequently Asked Questions, The Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services: how current levels match the former levels
- Stroke order diagrams are based on KanjiVG by Ulrich Apel, used under CC BY-SA 3.0. The diagrams on this page are shared under the same license.