deprimierend
/depʁiˈmiːʁənt/
The English phrase "depressing" can be translated into German as deprimierend or bedrückend.
Meaning: causing depression or sadness (adj)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA |
|---|---|
| deprimierend | /depʁiˈmiːʁənt/ |
| bedrückend | /bəˈdʁʏkənt/ |
Both words are used to describe something that causes depression or sadness. While deprimierend describes things that cause a low mood or a state of depression, bedrückend is often used to describe a heavy, oppressive atmosphere or a feeling of being weighed down by a situation.
What does it mean word for word?
The word bedrückend is derived from the verb drücken, which means "to press" or "to push", literally conveying the feeling of being pressed down by a weight.
How does it change in a sentence?
Both deprimierend and bedrückend function as present participles used as adjectives to describe the cause of a feeling.
How do you pronounce it?
/depʁiˈmiːʁənt/
Did you know?
- German has a specific term called Weltschmerz to describe a unique type of depressing sadness. It refers to the pain caused by the realization that the physical world cannot satisfy the mind's ideal demands.
- The word bedrückend shares a root with the verb bedrücken, which can describe the act of hugging someone tightly. This creates a linguistic link between a 'depressing' feeling and a gesture of affection.
- To describe a depressing atmosphere that specifically feels like the chest is tightening, Germans use the word beklemmend. This focuses on the physical sensation of constriction rather than just a low mood.
Examples in context
- Es ist zu deprimierend.It's too depressing.This sentence shows how to use deprimierend with the word "too".Tatoeba #12914934 by Waldelfe, translation #2249320 by CK
- Was ich sah, war deprimierend.What I saw was depressing.This sentence uses deprimierend to describe a specific sight.Tatoeba #5569378 by Zaghawa, translation #4967241 by CK
- Die Geschichte ist bedrückend.The story is depressing.This sentence uses bedrückend to describe a story.Tatoeba #12086516 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #9941251 by Nylez
- Die Situation ist wirklich bedrückendThe situation is really depressing
- Der Film hat mich ziemlich bedrücktThe movie left me feeling quite depressed
- Es ist deprimierend, wie wenig Fortschritt wir gemacht habenIt is depressing how little progress we have made
- Die Nachrichten sind oft sehr deprimierendThe news is often very depressing
- Ich fühle mich total depriI feel really depressed
- 14 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hannah and Felix are discussing a sad documentary they just watched.
- HannahWar der Film für dich auch so deprimierend?Was the movie depressing for you too?
- FelixJa, Hannah, das war wirklich deprimierend.Yes, Hannah, that was really depressing.
- HannahIch brauche jetzt etwas Fröhliches.I need something cheerful now.
- FelixIch stimme dir zu, lass uns spazieren gehen.I agree with you, let's go for a walk.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “depressing” translations and entries deprimierend, bedrückend, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
