disperazione
/dis.pe.ratˈt͡sjo.ne/feminine
Despair in Italian is disperazione.
The noun disperazione refers to the loss of hope. If you want to say "to fall into despair," you can use the phrase Cadere nello sconforto.
Meaning: loss of hope (noun)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun disperazione is a feminine noun. Related to this is the verb disperare, which means both "to be hopeless" and "to despair of."
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 5 syllables, with the stress on the 4th syllable: /dis.pe.ratˈtsjo.ne/.
Did you know?
- In Italian, the phrase essere disperati can be used hyperbolically to describe being 'broke' or having absolutely no money left.
- In classical Italian literature, disperazione was often linked to the theological sin of 'despair', which was seen as the refusal to believe in divine mercy.
- While disperazione means 'despair', the adjective disperato is frequently used in Italian to describe someone who is simply 'frantic' or 'extremely anxious' about a mundane task.
Examples in context
- Mi rifiuto di soccombere alla disperazione.I refuse to succumb to despair.This sentence is useful for expressing a refusal to succumb to disperazione.Tatoeba #12112499 by Nuel, translation #12112498 by Nuel
- Ho provato sentimenti di profonda disperazione.I experienced feelings of deep despair.This sentence is useful for describing feelings of deep disperazione.Tatoeba #11810211 by Nuel, translation #11810210 by Nuel
- La disperazione lo spinse a tentare il suicidio.Despair drove him to attempt suicide.This sentence is useful for describing how disperazione can drive someone to extreme actions.Tatoeba #3154545 by Guybrush88, translation #328486 by fcbond
- Mi sono trovato nella disperazione più totale.I found myself in total despair.
- Ho affrontato un periodo di profonda angoscia.I went through a period of deep despair.
- Dopo aver perso il suo lavoro, è caduto nella disperazione più totale.After losing his/her job, he/she fell into total despair.
- Sono pieno di sconforto dopo aver fallito l'esame.I am filled with despair after failing the exam.
- Ho perso ogni speranza.I have lost all hope.
- Quando ho scoperto che non andrò in vacanza, ho perso ogni speranza.When I found out I won't go on vacation, I lost all hope.
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofia is comforting Francesco after he lost his job.
- FrancescoSento solo una grande disperazione.I feel only great despair.
- SofiaFrancesco, non lasciarti travolgere dalla disperazione.Francesco, do not let yourself be overwhelmed by despair.
- FrancescoÈ difficile mantenere la speranza ora.It is difficult to keep hope now.
- SofiaIo sono qui con te.I am here with you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “despair” translations and entries disperazione, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
