Translation guide
The tendency to see the worst aspect of things or believe that the worst will happen. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through nouns, adjectives, and set phrases that convey a negative outlook.
Expressing a generally pessimistic view of life, the future, or a situation.
The most direct noun for 'pessimism'. Often used in phrases like 悲観的 (pessimistic) or 悲観論 (pessimistic view).
He is pessimistic about the future.
To take a pessimistic view.
A more literary term for world-weariness or pessimism about life. Often used in 厭世的 (pessimistic, world-weary).
To fall into a pessimistic view of life.
Loanword from English, used mainly in philosophical or academic contexts.
His philosophy is based on pessimism.
Describing a person who habitually expects the worst.
Expressing a specific pessimistic forecast or expectation about an outcome.
Expressing pessimism regarding a particular matter, often using the verb 悲観する.
To be pessimistic about something. The object is marked with を.
He is pessimistic about his own future.
There's no need to be pessimistic about the situation.
悲観的 (ひかんてき) is the standard, slightly formal adjective for 'pessimistic'. ネガティブ is a casual loanword often used for personality. マイナス思考 is a colloquial noun phrase meaning 'negative thinking'. In formal writing, 悲観的 is preferred.
While ペシミズム exists, it is rarely used outside academic philosophy. In everyday language, use 悲観 or 悲観的.
Literally 'minus thinking', a common colloquial term for negative thinking or pessimism.
He always thinks negatively.