Ever seen someone sitting with drooped shoulders after bad news?
Or felt your own energy fade after something didn’t go your way?
That’s when the Japanese onomatopoeia “Shonbori” (しょんぼり) appears — a sound that perfectly captures looking and feeling dejected.
Before we dive in, hear what it sounds like!
What is “Shonbori” (しょんぼり)?
“Shonbori” is a Japanese onomatopoeia that describes being dispirited, crestfallen, or downhearted.
It’s used when someone looks or feels sad, disappointed, or listless.
- For appearance — drooping shoulders, sad expression
- For feelings — disappointed, discouraged, let down
- For atmosphere — gloomy, downcast
Pronunciation
shon-boh-ree
(Say it slowly, letting your tone sink down, as if your shoulders were drooping.)
Categories
Emotion / Feeling
What Does “Shonbori” Look Like?
It looks like:
- A child who lost a game, head hanging low
- Someone sitting quietly after hearing bad news
- A pet waiting sadly by the door when left alone
How Do You Say It?
Say it with a sigh, shoulders slumping down:
Shon… bori…
Like when your hopes are dashed,
or when you feel small after a failure:
Shonbori…
Example in Daily Life
Example: Test results
She didn’t pass the exam,
and walked home —
shonbori…
Cultural Note
In English, you might say:
- “Feeling down”
- “Crestfallen”
- “Disheartened”
But “shonbori” not only describes the feeling — it paints the posture, look, and atmosphere of sadness.
It’s often used in children’s stories, manga, and daily conversation to vividly express being let down.
Watch & Feel the “Shonbori” World!
A dog doing Shonbori…
The dog looks so Shonbori after being scolded!
Try Using It!
- When your friend looks sad after losing a game → Say shonbori…
- When you’re discouraged after a mistake → Say shonbori…
- When your pet looks lonely → Say shonbori…
Say it gently, like a sigh:
Shonbori〜
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