How to tell someone you're depressed without saying it?

Honestly, i would just get straight to the point, theres no use in confusing someone with it. it'd be like you saying "hey, i'm depressed but i'm not depressed." whoever you're telling or trying to tell, i would just be completely blunt with them and let them know what is going on with you so they don't start assuming other things and get worried and do something drastic about a problem that doesn't even exist, if you know what i mean. :) just do what you think is the best option for you just weigh out the consequences of the choices.

Explaining them the symptoms. Telling them that you feel tired, easily distracted, discouraged, that doing things you once loved to do don't give you pleasure anymore and, in some cases, that you don't feel like living is worth it anymore.

I'm having a rough time, some mornings I can't find a reason to get out of bed. It's this weight in me that I can't throw off, a limpness, I feel it is consuming all the good things and spitting out the bad.

Write them a letter, if it's too difficult, or put some pamphlets about mental health in places they will come across it ( e.g. mailbox, work desk, common kitchen) that way they could think about what they read and make their own conclusions and that could get the topic started. Starting the conversation is difficult, it gets easier after that.

Sometimes saying it is the best solution. But you could possibly let them know by your actions, you could always say it indirectly.

She your true feelings. Cry sometimes, Not like a baby, but being really sad. people will know automatically

from your expression and gesture, you will look like anxious and uncomfortable with everything. maybe you will eat so much or less, depends on your behaviour

Tell them symptoms that you are experiencing. For example if you're feeling unmotivated let them know. If you give them symptoms they might connect the dots.

I too have tried so hard to think of ways to indirectly imply that I was depressed, but, believe it or not, it turns out that the easiest way is to just go out and say it.

It's better to talk to that someone face to face. When you do talk to that person, talk about difficulties that you face (that are related to depression) - such as feeling hopeless all the time, negative change in lifestyle, and so on. Hopefully the person will get the main message that you're trying to give, but if not, it's okay to just say that you have depression. Having depression is not something that you have to be ashamed of.