打ちひしがれる

• Reading: うちひしがれる
• Romaji: uchihishigareru
• Kanji breakdown: 打 (u/da) — strike, hit; ひしがれる — to be crushed, overwhelmed (passive of ひしぐ)
• Pronunciation: /ɯ.tɕi.çi.ɕi.ga.ɾe.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To be crushed; to be overwhelmed; to be devastated. Describes being emotionally flattened by grief, shock, or an overwhelming blow.

A Group 2 (ichidan) verb derived from the compound of 打つ (to strike) and ひしぐ (to crush). The passive form describes being on the receiving end of an emotional blow so severe that one is left stunned, prostrated, and unable to function normally. It is stronger than 落ち込む (to feel down) and implies a thorough, overwhelming devastation. Common in literary narrative and serious journalistic writing.

Examples

1. 最愛の人を突然失い、彼は深い悲しみに打ちひしがれた。 Having suddenly lost his beloved, he was crushed by deep grief.
2. 連続する失敗に打ちひしがれながらも、彼女は立ち上がろうとした。 Though devastated by one failure after another, she still tried to get back on her feet.
3. チームの敗北を知らせる一報に、選手たちは打ちひしがれて言葉を失った。 Upon hearing the news of the team's defeat, the players were so devastated they couldn't speak.

Usage Guide

Context: loss, defeat, grief, literature, journalism

Tone: serious

Origin & History

Compound of 打つ (utsu, to strike) and ひしぐ (hishigu, to crush, to press flat). The passive form 打ちひしがれる describes being struck down and crushed by overwhelming circumstances or emotion, leaving one completely flattened.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Universal