自殺願望
jisatsu-ganbō
The English phrase 'death wish' can be translated into Japanese as 自殺願望 (jisatsu-ganbō). If unsure, use 自殺願望. Wiktionary also lists 死の願望 (shi-no ganbō).
Meaning: desire for the death of oneself or of someone else (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 自殺願望 | jisatsu-ganbō |
| 死の願望 | shi-no ganbō |
自殺願望 refers to a desire for suicide or suicidal ideation. It is the standard term used in clinical or psychological contexts to describe a person's urge to end their own life.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 自殺願望 is composed of 自殺, meaning suicide and 願望, meaning desire or wish.
Which one should you use?
While both terms refer to a death wish, 死の願望 is a more literal 'desire for death,' whereas 自殺願望 specifically implies a suicidal desire or the urge to end one's own life.
How do you pronounce it?
jisatsu-ganbō
Did you know?
- Japanese has a specific term called 心中 'shinju' for a 'double suicide' death wish, where two lovers agree to die together to be united in the afterlife.
- While 自殺願望 is a clinical term, Japanese culture often uses the phrase 死にたい 'I want to die' as a common hyperbolic expression of stress or exhaustion, similar to how English speakers say 'I'm dying' when laughing.
- In Japanese literature and media, the concept of a death wish is often linked to 美学 'aesthetics', where choosing the moment of one's death is framed as a way to preserve beauty or honor.
Examples in context
- 医師は患者が「自殺願望」を抱えている可能性について議論しました。The doctor discussed the possibility of the patient having a "desire for suicide."
- 彼女は自殺願望を抱えている。Kanojo wa jisatsu ganbou o idaite iru.She has a death wish.
- 自殺願望があるときは、相談してください。Jisatsu ganbou ga aru toki wa, soudan shite kudasai.Please consult someone if you have a death wish.
- 強い自殺願望を感じることがある。Tsuyoi jisatsu ganbou o kanjiru koto ga aru.There are times when I feel a strong death wish.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a character in a psychological novel.
- 陽葵 Himariこの主人公には自殺願望があるみたいだね。Kono shujinkou ni wa jisatsu ganbou ga aru mitai da ne.It seems like this protagonist has a death wish.
- 陽太 Yotaそうだね、少し悲しい物語だよ。Sou da ne, sukoshi kanashii monogatari da yo.You're right, it's a bit of a sad story.
- 陽葵 Himari陽太くんはどう思う？Youta-kun wa dou omou?What do you think, Youta?
- 陽太 Yota描き方がとてもリアルだと思ったよ。Kakikata ga totemo riaru da to omotta yo.I thought the way it was written was very realistic.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “death wish” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
