Translation guide
The feeling of having lost all hope, or the act of giving up hope. In Japanese, this can be expressed through nouns, verbs, and adjectives that convey hopelessness, desperation, or resignation.
Expressing the emotion of having no hope left, often as a deep, lasting state.
The most direct and common noun for 'despair'. Used for a profound loss of hope.
彼は絶望のあまり自殺した。
He committed suicide out of despair.
絶望的な状況だ。
It's a hopeless situation.
More like 'disappointment' or 'letdown', but can be used when hope is lost in a specific expectation. Milder than 絶望.
結果に失望した。
I was disappointed with the results.
A state of reckless despair where one acts out of frustration or desperation, often carelessly.
やけくそになって全部食べてしまった。
In despair, I ended up eating everything.
The action or process of falling into despair.
The verb form of 絶望. Means 'to despair' or 'to fall into despair'.
彼は人生に絶望した。
He despaired of life.
Literally 'to lose hope'. A more analytical way to express the onset of despair.
彼女は将来への希望を失った。
She lost hope for the future.
Means 'to give up' or 'to resign oneself'. Often used when one stops hoping for a specific outcome.
Describing a person or situation that is without hope.
Na-adjective meaning 'hopeless' or 'desperate'. Used for situations or people.
状況は絶望的だ。
The situation is hopeless.
Literally 'there is no hope'. A straightforward way to describe a hopeless state.
この計画には希望がない。
There is no hope for this plan.
Acting out of despair, often recklessly or with extreme measures.
Means 'desperate' or 'frantic', often with a nuance of risking everything. Used when someone is cornered and acts with intense effort.
必死に逃げた。
I ran away desperately.
A state of abandonment and despair, where one gives up on oneself and acts recklessly.
To become desperate and act out of frustration, similar to やけくそ but as a verb phrase.
やけになって仕事を辞めた。
In despair, I quit my job.
絶望 (zetsubou) is deep, often total despair, while 失望 (shitsubou) is disappointment or loss of hope in a specific thing. Use 絶望 for existential hopelessness and 失望 for letdowns.
彼の裏切りに失望したが、絶望はしなかった。
I was disappointed by his betrayal, but I didn't despair.
While 絶望する exists, it is somewhat formal. In casual speech, Japanese speakers often use phrases like 希望を失う or 諦める instead. Avoid overusing 絶望する in everyday conversation.
もう諦めたほうがいい。
You should just give up.
自暴自棄になって酒に走った。
In despair, he turned to alcohol.