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

One approach to depression is seeing an individuals initial reaction. If you are worried about how they may respond it can be useful to begin with an open-ended question. See if they have ever known anyone with depression, or if they have ever suffered from depression. That would be one way to begin a conversation surrounding the feelings you may be experiencing.

Why would you not want to say it? Being depressed is not a bad thing at all. Everyone goes through depression sometime in their life, Just tell the person "you've been feeling quite sad/down lately". They'll eventually take a hint, but once again, depression is not something to be ashamed of. So if you really feel daring, just be blunt with them and tell them you're feeling depressed.

The first step is coming to terms with your depression. One can't tell anybody he or she is depressed—verbally or not—until one first understands it for him- or herself. And while "beating around the bush" may not be an optimal path, some do not so easily feel comfortable sharing such intimate information. Everything from "I'm just tired," to "I just had a rough day at work," could be indicators of depression: if so, however, it calls for the vigilance of friends and family, both, lest some unspeakable tragedy strike all to quickly.

Write them a letter telling them how you feel and explain that it's hard for you to speak about it, they must be someone you can trust without having to worry about them judging you

There's not really a way. But it's important to reach out, to someone, anyone that you feel comfortable and safe with. I think most people would be surprised to find out that most people have experienced some form of depression; I stress this, be comfortable. You're already depressed, and there isn't any point in spending your energy on covering what's really going on.

A lot of the time someone's demenour can give us more information than what someone says. The perosn you're talking to may already suspect a change in your mood based on your body language. But if you're looking for conversation starters, you could send them an article, story, comic, quote than sums up how you're feeling. I find that some quotes really sum up my situtions sometime, that they're easier to share than me telling them.

Explain your feelings to them and explain why you feel that way. They might start to understand once you open up

Unfortunately no one will know exactly how you're feeling if you don't tell them. Maybe try writing a letter or sending the person links to depression symptoms online and saying you relate to it.

People are not mind readers and miss things very easily. The best way to let someone know that you are depressed is to tell them.

Lately I've been feeling very sad and I don't know what to do. I'm having extremely upsetting thoughts and things aren't like they used to be.