Ever felt so let down that your shoulders dropped all by themselves?
Like your heart gave a little sigh, and you didn’t even feel like talking?
That’s when the Japanese onomatopoeia “Shun…” appears — a soft sound of emotional deflation.
What is “Shun…”?
“Shun” is a Japanese onomatopoeia that expresses quiet disappointment, discouragement, or feeling down.
It’s the sound of a heart sinking — not with anger, but with a quiet, sad little sigh.
The kind of feeling when something you hoped for… just doesn’t go your way.
Pronunciation
shoon
（rhymes with “moon”）
Categories
Emotion / Reaction
Examples in Daily Life
Example 1: Didn’t get the prize
He was so sure he would win.
But when someone else’s name was called,
he just stood there — shun…
Example 2: Canceled plans
She had been looking forward to the trip for weeks.
Then came the message:
“Sorry, I can’t go…”
Her joy faded into shun…
Cultural Note
In English, we might say:
- “I feel down.”
- “I’m bummed.”
- “So disappointing…”
But in Japanese, shun is enough to express that feeling — like a drooping flower or deflated balloon.
In manga or anime, “shun…” often comes with a visual: a character slumping, a gray line above their head, or slowly walking away with shoulders low.
It’s soft, quiet, and emotional.
How Do You Say It?
Say it with a sigh:
Shun…
Say it with drooped shoulders:
Shun…
Say it when your heart quietly gives up:
Shun…
What Does “Shun…” Look Like?
It looks like gray rain falling inside you.
Like slumped posture.
Like a puppy with its ears down.
Watch & Feel the “Shun…” World!
Feel the “Shun…” — A Gentle Disappointment
Experience the quiet sadness of “shun…” in this tender moment.
It’s not dramatic. It’s not loud.
It’s just… that quiet emotional drop — when expectations fade and hope slips away.
Sit with it. Feel it. Then let it go.
Try Using It!
When the dessert is sold out…
When you say something nice and no one notices…
When you get left on read…
Just say it quietly:
Shun…
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