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.
He committed suicide out of despair.
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.
I was disappointed with the results.
A state of reckless despair where one acts out of frustration or desperation, often carelessly.
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'.
He despaired of life.
Literally 'to lose hope'. A more analytical way to express the onset of despair.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
She lost hope for the future.
You should just give up.
In despair, he turned to alcohol.