deprimirse
verbCEFR B1
What does “deprimirse” mean in English?
to become depressed, to get depressed
to become depressed, to get depressed (onset process); reflexive; resultative state: estar deprimido/a; clinical noun: la depresión
Example sentences
Después de la operación, empezó a deprimirse porque no podía moverse con libertad y echaba de menos su rutina habitual; el médico le sugirió que viera a un psicólogo.
After the operation, she started to get depressed because she could not move freely and missed her usual routine; the doctor suggested she see a psychologist.
El médico le preguntó si se había sentido deprimido o si había tenido pensamientos negativos desde que había cambiado la medicación.
The doctor asked him if he had felt depressed or if he had had negative thoughts since changing the medication.
How to use it
Deprimirse means 'to become depressed' or 'to get down' — the reflexive verb marks the process of becoming depressed. The resultative state is estar deprimido/a. The clinical noun is la depresión (diagnosed condition). Critical register notes: (1) do not say *estoy depresivo/a* — depresivo is an adjective for someone habitually prone to depression, not for current state; (2) do not translate 'I'm depressed' as *estoy deprimido* in casual contexts where 'feeling low' is meant — consider estar triste or encontrarse mal.
Common mistake
Never use *estoy depresivo* to mean 'I feel depressed now' — depresivo as a personal attribute means habitually depressive. The correct current-state form is estoy deprimido/a. Tener depresión (I have depression — diagnosed) is the clinical formulation.