NetChai Chinese

What Does 闷闷不乐 (mèn mèn bù lè) Mean?

闷闷不乐
mèn mèn bù lè
Gloomy and unhappy · trad. 悶悶不樂
An adult sits alone looking gloomy by a window, illustrating “gloomy and unhappy” in Chinese: 闷闷不乐 (mèn mèn bù lè)

Describes someone who is feeling down, gloomy, or in low spirits. It conveys a sense of being visibly unhappy and withdrawn, often due to a specific reason. The repetition of 闷 (mèn) emphasizes the depth of the dejection.

What does 闷闷不乐 (mèn mèn bù lè) mean?

闷闷不乐 (mèn mèn bù lè) means "gloomy and unhappy" in English. Word for word, it breaks down as "stuffy and not happy."

Character by character

  • 闷 mèn stuffy, depressed
  • 闷 mèn stuffy, depressed
  • 不 bù not
  • 乐 lè happy

When to use it

Chinese speakers use this to describe a state of dejection or melancholy. It often implies a quiet, internal sadness rather than an outward display of anger or distress, suggesting someone is brooding or sulking.

Example

他因为自己失败而闷闷不乐。
Tā yīnwèi zìjǐ shībài ér mèn mèn bù lè.
He was gloomy because of his failure.
Pro tip: The reduplication of 闷 (mèn mèn) intensifies the feeling, making the unhappiness more pronounced and persistent than simply saying "不乐" (bù lè).

Related idioms

乱七八糟 · Utter disorder马马虎虎 · Careless and sloppy名正言顺 · Proper justification

Audio: voice of a native NetChai teacher · About us

Want to speak Chinese for real?
Start a free lesson with a native teacher →