Translation guide
The English word 'hopeless' can describe a situation with no chance of success, a person who is very bad at something, or a feeling of despair. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for each meaning, from common phrases to nuanced vocabulary.
Describing a situation, attempt, or effort that is futile or impossible to succeed.
Literally 'there is no hope'. A straightforward and common way to say a situation is hopeless.
There is no hope that he will survive.
There is no hope of success for this plan.
Means 'desperate' or 'hopeless'. Often used for situations that are beyond help or extremely dire.
The situation is hopeless.
His medical condition is hopeless.
Means 'nothing can be done about it' or 'it's hopeless'. Used when a situation is beyond control or remedy.
It's hopeless now.
This problem is hopeless.
Means 'impossible' or 'unreasonable'. Often used in casual speech to say something is hopeless or can't be done.
That's hopeless / impossible.
It's hopeless to try to persuade him.
Means 'there is no prospect/chance'. Slightly more formal, often used in business or serious contexts.
There is no prospect of recovery.
Describing someone who lacks skill or ability in a particular area, often humorously or critically.
Means 'there's no helping it' or 'hopeless'. Commonly used to describe a person who is incorrigibly bad at something.
He's hopeless with directions.
That player is hopeless, isn't he?
Casual and versatile word meaning 'no good', 'useless', or 'hopeless'. Often used to describe a person's lack of ability.
Means 'unskillful' or 'poor at'. A direct way to say someone is bad at something, though less strong than 'hopeless'.
Means 'beyond help' or 'hopeless case'. Stronger and more dramatic, often used for someone who is irredeemably bad.
His taste is hopeless.
Expressing a personal emotional state of hopelessness, despair, or pessimism.
Noun meaning 'despair' or 'hopelessness'. Often used with 感じる (to feel) or に陥る (to fall into).
He felt hopeless.
Literally 'there is no hope'. Can describe a personal feeling of having no hope.
I feel hopeless about the future.
Means 'helpless', 'miserable', or 'hopeless'. Describes a deep, lingering sadness or despair.
望みがない is a neutral statement of fact ('there is no hope'), while 絶望的 carries a stronger emotional weight and is often used for extreme situations. 絶望的 can also describe a person's state of mind.
There is no hope of success.
He became hopeless/desperate.
English often uses 'hopeless' as a predicate adjective ('I'm hopeless at...'). Japanese does not have a single adjective that covers all these uses. Instead, use phrases like ダメ, 下手, or どうしようもない depending on context. Direct translations like ホープレス are not natural.
私は数学が全然ダメだ。
I'm completely hopeless at math.
He's hopeless at driving.
彼は歌が下手だ。
He's hopeless at singing.
Don't give in to despair.
I'm filled with a hopeless feeling.