May Disease¹ is a common kind of minor² depression in Japan. Almost all students enter new schools or universities in April. Most new company employees also start in April each year. Then there is a long Golden Week holiday at the beginning of May. People return to their new school or job after a holiday, and it is not new or exciting anymore. May Disease describes this common feeling of disappointment or being let down.

 

“五月病”是日本常见的一种轻微抑郁症。在日本，学生在四月份就读新学校或大学。许多公司的新员工也在四月份入职。随后在五月初迎来了黄金周长假。假期结束后，人们返回新学校或新单位，但是却不再感觉新鲜或兴奋。“五月病”形容的就是这种失落的状态。

 

May Disease in China is associated with subtle³ moods caused by all kinds of things. Some people blamed the laziness to the unpredictable weather, some are burdened by the graduation papers, or the coming important test, some feel anxious about their work performance earlier this year.

 

在中国，“五月病”则与各种事由引发的微妙情绪有关。有些人将怠惰的状态归咎于多变的天气，有些人不堪毕业论文的重负，或因即将到来的大考而倍感压力，有些人则是为自己前半年的工作表现感到焦虑。

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