In English-language anime and manga, soft, disappointed moments are often described with words like “Disheartened”, “Discouraged”, or “Feeling Down.”
These are the moments when someone’s energy quietly fades —
not because they’re angry, but because something they hoped for didn’t go their way.
But how is that gentle letdown captured in Japanese?
Let’s step into the world of anime and manga and discover how Japanese onomatopoeia brings even a sinking heart to life.
What Is a “Disheartened” Moment?
It’s not a dramatic outburst —
it’s when someone falls silent, lowers their head, and sighs on the inside.
In anime and manga, this happens when:
- a character gets gently rejected or scolded
- someone hoped for praise but didn’t get it
- a plan or wish quietly fails
- a child realizes something can’t be helped
In English, these moments are described with:
- Disheartened – A quiet loss of motivation
- Discouraged – Feeling down after disappointment
- Feeling Blue / Glum – A general low mood
- Sinking Feeling / Let Down – Subtle emotional drop
So how does Japanese express this soft, inward sigh?
How Is This Feeling Expressed in Japanese?
In Japanese, even the quietest emotions have a sound —
and for sadness that feels small, droopy, and personal, the perfect word is:
“Shun” (しゅん)
It’s the sound of a gentle emotional deflation —
like a balloon losing air, or a child going silent after a scolding.
Let’s hear how it sounds.
What Is Japanese Onomatopoeia “Shun” (しゅん) ?
“Shun” is a Japanese onomatopoeia that expresses quiet disappointment, discouragement, or feeling down.
It’s the sound of a heart sinking —
not with anger or drama, but with a soft, internal sigh.
It often describes someone who’s gone quiet after things didn’t go as they hoped.
Used in:
- Characters who lower their head in disappointment
- Gentle rejection or failure scenes
- Child-like sadness or personal discouragement
- Silent “give-up” moments
Pronunciation
shoon
（rhymes with “moon”）
Categories
Emotion
Examples in Daily Life
To learn about how it appears in manga or daily conversation, dive into the following page:
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