Translation guide
How to express giving up, quitting, or surrendering in Japanese, depending on the situation and level of frustration.
Expressing that you give up in a light, everyday situation, like a game or puzzle.
A very common, casual way to say 'I give up' or 'That's enough'. Implies you're done trying.
I give up on this puzzle.
Literally 'surrender'. Used playfully when admitting defeat in a game or argument.
Alright, I give up.
Loanword from English 'give up'. Used in games or casual contexts, but less natural than Japanese alternatives.
I can't anymore, I give up!
Saying you're stopping an attempt or abandoning a difficult task.
The standard verb for 'give up'. Can be used for tasks, dreams, or situations.
Means 'to stop' or 'quit'. Often used when you decide to stop doing something.
Literally 'throw out'. Means to abandon or give up halfway, often with a nuance of irresponsibility.
Conveying that you're at your wit's end or can't handle something anymore.
Used in formal situations, such as admitting defeat in a debate, competition, or conflict.
諦める (akirameru) means to give up on a goal or hope, while やめる (yameru) simply means to stop doing an action. Use 諦める when you abandon an aspiration, and やめる when you quit an activity.
I gave up on my dream.
I quit smoking.
Directly translating 'I give up' as 私は諦める (watashi wa akirameru) is grammatically correct but sounds unnatural. Japanese often omits the subject, so 諦めた or もういいや is more natural.
I give up! This math problem is too hard.
After trying for hours, I finally gave up.
Let's give up on this problem.
I'm stopping now. (I give up.)
途中で投げ出すな。
Don't give up halfway.
この問題はお手上げだ。
I give up on this problem.
A literary/formal phrase meaning 'all is lost' or 'there's nothing more to be done'.
It's all over. (I give up.)