How do you say "Feeling down" in Japanese?

"Feeling down" in Japanese is "元気がない". This phrase is commonly used in Japan.

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How to Say ‘Feeling down’ in Japanese

Q: What does "元気がない" mean in English?

"元気がない" means "Feeling down" in English. Usage tip: Literally, “[元気] is missing.” It can describe you or someone else looking low, tired, quiet, or emotionally down. Very natural and useful.

元気がない

genki ga nai

[gen-kee gah nai]

💬 Usage Tip: Literally, “[元気] is missing.” It can describe you or someone else looking low, tired, quiet, or emotionally down. Very natural and useful.

🇯🇵 In Japan: This is a gentle, everyday way to notice sadness without sounding too intense. Good for checking on a friend kindly.

Phrase Breakdown

元気

genki

[gen-kee]

energy; cheerfulness; being well

In this phrase, it refers to having energy or feeling emotionally well.

Example

今日は元気がない感じです。

I feel kind of down today.

がない

ga nai

to not have; lacking

Used after a noun to mean “no/lacking.” Together with 元気, it means “not energetic” or “down.”

Example

今日は元気がない。

I’m not feeling energetic today.

Words in this phrase

が

[gah]

subject marker

Connects 元気 with ない to show that energy or cheerfulness is what's lacking.

Example

今日は元気がないです。

I'm not feeling energetic today.

ない

nai

[nai]

not have; is not

Shows absence; here it means not having energy or spirit.

Example

朝から元気がないです。

I've had no energy since morning.

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