Translation guide
The English phrase 'give up' covers several related ideas: stopping an attempt, surrendering, abandoning hope, or yielding something. Japanese uses different words and patterns depending on the nuance.
To cease attempting something because it is too difficult, not worth continuing, or you lose motivation.
The most common and general verb for giving up on a goal, dream, or attempt. Transitive; takes を.
夢を諦めた。
I gave up on my dream.
彼はタバコをやめるのを諦めた。
He gave up trying to quit smoking.
Means 'to stop' or 'quit' a specific action or habit. Often used when giving up a concrete activity rather than an abstract goal.
Loanword from English, used in casual or sports contexts. Sounds like a direct translation; 諦める is more natural in most situations.
もうギブアップだ。
I give up already.
To stop fighting or resisting, often in a competition, argument, or conflict.
Literally 'surrender'. Used when admitting defeat in a contest, game, or argument. Can be used figuratively.
彼は降参した。
He gave up (surrendered).
この問題には降参だ。
I give up on this problem.
Idiom: 'raise the white flag'. Emphasizes complete surrender or admission of defeat.
ついに彼は白旗を上げた。
Finally he gave up (raised the white flag).
Literally 'acknowledge defeat'. More formal than 降参する.
彼は潔く負けを認めた。
He gracefully gave up (admitted defeat).
To stop hoping for a positive outcome; to accept a bad situation.
Expression meaning 'to be resigned' or 'to come to terms with'. Often used when you finally accept something.
やっと諦めがついた。
I've finally given up (accepted it).
To resign oneself to fate; to give up hope. Slightly literary.
彼は観念したようにうなずいた。
He nodded as if he had given up.
To despair; to give up all hope. Stronger than 諦める.
彼は人生に絶望した。
He gave up on life (despaired).
To give something to someone else, often reluctantly or under pressure.
To yield, concede, or hand over (a seat, right, possession). Implies giving up something for someone else's benefit.
To vacate or surrender (a place, position). Often used for giving up a seat, room, or territory.
To abandon, renounce, or waive (rights, claims, citizenship). Formal.
彼は国籍を放棄した。
He gave up his nationality.
To stop believing someone can improve or succeed; to abandon a relationship.
諦める is for giving up on a goal, dream, or abstract effort. やめる is for stopping a concrete action or habit. Use 諦める for 'give up trying' and やめる for 'quit doing'.
日本語の勉強を諦めた。
I gave up studying Japanese (abandoned the goal).
今日は勉強をやめた。
I gave up studying for today (stopped the activity).
Avoid directly translating 'give up' as あげる (give) + 上 (up). This makes no sense in Japanese. Use the appropriate verb for the context.
もうやめた！
I give up! (in frustration)
諦めないで！
Don't give up!
彼はお年寄りに席を譲った。
He gave up his seat to the elderly woman.
部屋を明け渡した。
I gave up the room.
To be disgusted with someone; to give up on someone out of frustration. Often used in relationships.
彼女は彼に愛想を尽かした。
She gave up on him (was fed up).