Translation guide
The English word "desperate" covers a range of meanings from extreme need and hopelessness to reckless actions. This guide breaks down the most useful Japanese expressions for each nuance.
Expressing that someone is in a situation where they urgently need or want something, often to the point of being willing to do anything.
Literally 'certain death', this is the most common way to say someone is desperate, putting all their effort into something. It can be used for both positive striving and negative desperation.
He is desperate to find a job.
She was desperate to get his attention.
Verb phrase meaning 'to become desperate' or 'to try frantically'. Often used when someone starts acting out of desperation.
I became desperate to meet the deadline.
A noun meaning inevitability or being bound to happen. Sometimes used in the phrase 必至だ to mean 'desperate' in a more fatalistic sense, but less common than 必死.
His success is desperate (inevitable).
Describing a situation that is so bad that there seems to be no hope, or a person who has lost all hope.
The standard adjective for 'hopeless' or 'desperate' in the sense of a situation with no hope. Can also describe a person's state of mind.
The situation is desperate.
Noun meaning 'despair' or 'hopelessness'. Used in phrases like 絶望する (to despair) or 絶望に陥る (to fall into despair).
This word is heavier and more final than English 'desperate'. Use with care.
Means 'there's nothing that can be done' or 'hopeless'. Often used for situations that are beyond help or people who are incorrigible.
It's a desperate situation now.
A colloquial noun/adjective meaning 'desperation' or 'recklessness out of despair'. Implies giving up and acting wildly.
Describing an action that is risky, extreme, or done as a last resort because all other options have failed.
Literally 'throwing away the body', this prefix means 'desperate' or 'reckless' for an action where one risks everything. Often used in phrases like 捨て身の攻撃 (desperate attack).
He resorted to desperate tactics.
A four-character compound meaning 'desperation' or 'abandonment of oneself to despair'. Often used for someone who acts recklessly because they don't care anymore.
Also used for reckless actions born of despair. See above.
Emphasizing the severity or urgency of a situation, often used in phrases like 'desperate need' or 'desperate shortage'.
Means 'serious' or 'grave'. Commonly used for desperate situations, shortages, or needs.
We are facing a desperate water shortage.
He is in desperate financial straits.
Means 'emergency' or 'urgent'. Used for desperate needs that require immediate action.
There is a desperate need for aid.
Means 'pressing' or 'imminent'. Often used for desperate situations that are about to happen.
There is a desperate danger approaching.
必死 (ひっし) emphasizes the frantic effort or struggle, while 絶望的 (ぜつぼうてき) emphasizes the lack of hope. You can be 必死 without being 絶望的 if you are just trying very hard. Conversely, a situation can be 絶望的 without anyone being 必死 yet.
He studied desperately, but passing was hopeless.
English 'desperate' is often used hyperbolically ('I'm desperate for coffee'). In Japanese, using 必死 or 絶望的 for trivial matters can sound overly dramatic. For mild desires, use とても〜したい or 〜たくてたまらない instead.
The situation is desperate.
He made a desperate attempt to escape.
He felt desperate.
In his desperation, he committed suicide.
やけくそで宝くじを買った。
Out of desperation, I bought a lottery ticket.
In desperation, he turned to alcohol.
やけくそで会社を辞めた。
I quit my job out of desperation.
Literally 'frantic as if facing death', this is a strong expression for desperate, all-out effort or struggle.
They fought desperately.