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.
このパズル、もういいや。
I give up on this puzzle.
Literally 'surrender'. Used playfully when admitting defeat in a game or argument.
わかった、降参だ。
Alright, I give up.
Loanword from English 'give up'. Used in games or casual contexts, but less natural than Japanese alternatives.
もう無理、ギブアップ！
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.
もう諦めた。
I've already given up.
この問題は諦めよう。
Let's give up on this problem.
Means 'to stop' or 'quit'. Often used when you decide to stop doing something.
もうやめる。
I'm stopping now. (I give up.)
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.
Literally 'it's no good anymore'. Expresses that you've reached your limit and give up.
もうだめだ、全然わからない。
I give up, I don't understand at all.
Literally 'hands up'. Means you're stumped or have thrown in the towel.
この問題はお手上げだ。
I give up on this problem.
Used in formal situations, such as admitting defeat in a debate, competition, or conflict.
Formal 'surrender', used in military or serious competitive contexts.
敵が降伏した。
The enemy surrendered.
Literally 'raise a white flag'. Idiomatic for surrendering or giving up.
彼はついに白旗を揚げた。
He finally gave up.
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.
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.
もうだめだ！この数学の問題、難しすぎる。
I give up! This math problem is too hard.
何時間も試した後、ついに諦めた。
After trying for hours, I finally gave up.
Don't give up halfway.
A literary/formal phrase meaning 'all is lost' or 'there's nothing more to be done'.
万事休すだ。
It's all over. (I give up.)