Translation guide
Expressing the act of giving up, quitting, or surrendering in Japanese. The best choice depends on whether you are abandoning an effort, resigning from a role, yielding in a conflict, or emotionally letting go.
To stop trying to do something because it is too difficult, not worth it, or impossible.
The most common and versatile verb for giving up on a goal, dream, or attempt. It implies a conscious decision to stop pursuing something.
I gave up on my dream.
He gave up trying to quit smoking.
To be able to accept giving up; to come to terms with abandoning something. Often used when you finally feel ready to let go.
I've finally come to terms with giving up.
Literally 'throw the spoon', an idiomatic expression meaning to give up completely, especially when a situation seems hopeless. Often used in medical or professional contexts.
An incurable disease that even doctors give up on.
To stop doing something regularly, such as a bad habit, a job, or a hobby.
A general verb for stopping or quitting an action. Use with a noun or verb in the continuative form (e.g., タバコをやめる, 行くのをやめる).
To abandon an intention or plan, often after careful consideration. More formal than 諦める.
We gave up on climbing the mountain.
To admit defeat in a conflict, competition, or argument.
To surrender or give up in a contest or fight. Can be used literally (war) or figuratively (giving up on a difficult task).
The enemy surrendered.
I give up on this puzzle.
Literally 'raise the white flag', meaning to surrender or admit defeat. Used in both literal and figurative contexts.
He finally gave up.
To yield or submit to pressure or force. More formal and often used in political or psychological contexts.
He gave in to the pressure.
To stop hoping for improvement in someone or to end emotional investment.
To formally give up a job, role, or responsibility.
諦める (akirameru) is used for giving up on intangible goals or dreams, while やめる (yameru) is for stopping concrete actions or habits. You can 諦める a dream, but you やめる a job or smoking.
Give up on a dream vs. quit a job
Avoid directly translating 'give up' as 上げる (ageru) or 与える (ataeru) in Japanese. These mean 'to give' in the sense of handing something over, not abandoning an effort.
To be fed up with someone and give up on them, often due to repeated disappointment. Implies a loss of affection or patience.
She gave up on him.