Moping
Meaning: Sulking, feeling sorry for yourself, or moving around listlessly because of sadness or disappointment.
'Moping' (or 'moping around') describes a passive, visible sadness — walking around with low energy, sighing, not engaging with life. It has a slightly critical tone, suggesting the person should snap out of it or do something about their situation instead of wallowing. It's the visible performance of sadness.
Examples
- He's been moping around the house ever since she left. 自从她离开后,他就一直在家里闷闷不乐地晃来晃去。Lleva arrastrándose por la casa desde que ella se fue.彼女が去ってから、彼はずっと家の中をふさぎ込んでうろうろしている。그녀가 떠난 이후로 그는 계속 집 안에서 풀이 죽어 돌아다니고 있다.
- Stop moping and come hang out — it'll take your mind off things. 别闷在那了,出来玩吧——能让你分分心。Deja de estar de morros y ven a pasar el rato — te ayudará a despejarte.くよくよしてないで遊びに来なよ——気が紛れるから。그만 풀 죽어 있지 말고 나와서 놀자 — 기분 전환이 될 거야.
- She moped for a week after not getting the promotion. 没得到升职之后,她闷闷不乐了整整一个星期。Estuvo deprimida una semana después de no conseguir el ascenso.昇進がもらえなかった後、彼女は一週間ふさぎ込んでいた。그녀는 승진하지 못한 후 일주일 동안 풀이 죽어 있었다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: sadness, wallowing, encouragement, breakups
Tone: slightly critical, encouraging
✓ Do Say
- Stop moping.Stop moping.(别闷闷不乐了。)Stop moping. (Deja de lamentarte.)くよくよするのはやめろ。그만 풀 죽어 있어.
- He's been moping all day.He's been moping all day.(他一整天都闷闷不乐的。)He's been moping all day. (Ha estado todo el día arrastrándose de pena.)彼は一日中ふさぎ込んでいる。걔 하루 종일 풀 죽어 있어.
✗ Don't Say
- Telling someone to 'stop moping' can be dismissive of genuine grief — give people space to be sad叫人'别闷了'可能是在否定他们真正的悲伤——给人留点悲伤的空间吧。Decirle a alguien que 'deje de estar de morros' puede ser despectivo si sufre un duelo genuino — dale espacio para estar triste.本当に悲しんでいる人に「くよくよするな」と言うのは、その感情を軽視することになりかねない——悲しむ時間を与えよう누군가에게 '그만 풀 죽어 있으라'고 말하는 것은 진짜 슬픔을 무시하는 것일 수 있다 — 사람들에게 슬퍼할 공간을 주어라.
Origin & History
From the English verb 'to mope,' meaning to be listless and gloomy, dating back to the 16th century. Remains very common in American English as a mild criticism of someone indulging in their sadness.
Cultural Context
Era: Centuries-old, still current
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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