How to say "gloomy" in Japanese

• 暗いくらいJLPT N5approx.Common
  i-adjectiveThe most versatile choice: literally 'dark', it covers both physical darkness and the figurative gloominess of a mood, expression, personality, or atmosphere. When unsure which word fits, this is usually the safe default.
  あたりがもう暗くらくなっていることに気きがついた。↗

  I observed that it had already got dark.
• うっとうしいJLPT N1approx.Common
  i-adjectiveCovers a gloomy, depressing mood — the dispirited, weighed-down feeling rather than literal darkness. It is usually written in kana alone, and fits when something gets you down.
  毎日まいにちうっとうしくていやですね。↗

  Don't you just hate this weather?
• 薄暗いうすぐらいJLPT N2approx.Common
  i-adjectiveMeans dim or faintly lit; its 'gloomy' sense belongs to poorly lit places, such as a dim room or a shadowy corridor. It is not the word for a gloomy mood or personality.
  薄暗うすぐらい光ひかりの中なかで彼かれの顔かおを見みた。↗

  I saw his face in the dim light.
• 陰気いんきJLPT N1approx.Common
  na-adjective, nounGloomy in a dismal, melancholy way; it typically describes a person's disposition or an overall atmosphere rather than physical darkness. Choose it for cheerless, somber gloom of character or mood.
  その家いえは見みかけがたいへん陰気いんきだった。↗

  The house looked very dismal.
• 重苦しいおもくるしいCommon
  i-adjectiveIts core sense is heavy and oppressive — a stifling atmosphere or a heavy feeling; its 'gloomy' use is essentially confined to weather. For gloomy moods or people it is seldom the word you want.
  言葉ことばは消え去きえさっても、打撃だげきはおもくるしく残のこる。↗

  Words may pass but blows fall heavy.

Choose 「暗い」 as the all-purpose word for dark, gloomy moods, people, and places; 「うっとうしい」 for depressing gloom, 「薄暗い」 for dim light, 陰気 for melancholy character, and 「重苦しい」 chiefly for oppressive heaviness, its gloomy sense covering weather.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 暗いくらいdark
• うっとうしいgloomy (e.g. mood)
• 薄暗いうすぐらいdim
• 陰気いんきgloomy
• 重苦しいおもくるしいheavy (feeling, etc.)
• 悲観的ひかんてきpessimistic
• 陰鬱いんうつgloomy
• うつうつgloomy
• 鬱屈うっくつgloomy
• グルーミーgloomy
• 鬱気うっきgloomy
• 影のあるかげのあるgloomy (of a person)
• どんよりdark
• 根暗ねくらdark-natured
• 暗澹あんたんdark
• 空恐ろしいそらおそろしいapprehensive
• 暗然あんぜんdark
• ほの暗いほのぐらいdim
• 陰気くさいいんきくさいdismal
• しょぼいshabby
• 憂いういunhappy
• 憂きうきunhappy
• 重いおもいheavy (feeling)
• 重たいおもたいheavy (feeling, atmosphere, etc.)
• 陰性いんせいgloomy
• じめじめgloomy
• 湿っぽいしめっぽいgloomy
• 不景気ふけいきgloomy
• 鬱然うつぜんgloomy (mood)
• うっといgloomy (e.g. mood)
• じめっとgloomy
• 靉靆あいたいdark (mood)
• 物憂げものうげsomber
• 重ったいおもったいheavy (feeling, atmosphere, etc.)
• 難しいむずかしいgloomy