絶望
zetsubō[d͡ze̞t͡sɨbo̞ː]
Despair in Japanese is 絶望 (zetsubō). If unsure, use 絶望. Wiktionary also lists 失望 (shitsubō).
Meaning: loss of hope (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 絶望 | zetsubō | [d͡ze̞t͡sɨbo̞ː] (narrow) |
| 失望 | shitsubō | [ɕit͡sɨbo̞ː] (narrow) |
The term is used to describe a complete and total loss of hope. You may also encounter the adverbial form 絶望的に (zetsubō-teki ni), which means 'desperately'.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 絶望 is composed of the characters 絶 (to sever or cut off) and 望 (hope or expectation).
Which one should you use?
While both words relate to negative emotions, 絶望 (zetsubō) refers to a complete and total loss of hope, whereas 失望 (shitsubō) refers specifically to being disappointed by something or someone.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
zetsubō
Did you know?
- The character 絶 used in 絶望 also forms the word 絶品 ('masterpiece'), meaning a product so excellent it is 'cut off' from all others.
- In modern internet slang, the phrase 絶望的 ('desperate') is sometimes used as a humorous exaggeration to describe trivial inconveniences, such as a dead phone battery.
- In anime and manga, characters often shout 絶望しろ! ('despair!') as a command to an opponent to break their will to fight.
Examples in context
- 彼は希望と絶望の狭間で揺れた。He fluctuated between hope and despair.This sentence is useful for showing the contrast between hope and 絶望.Tatoeba #3415886 by arnab, translation #295058 by rul
- 彼女は得意になったと思ったら絶望したりした。Elation and despair ebbed and flowed in her.This sentence demonstrates the ebb and flow of elation and 絶望.Tatoeba #11307572 by Tanikaz, translation #11307573 by Tanikaz
- 絶望した彼は自殺を図った。Despair drove him to attempt suicide.This sentence shows 絶望 acting as a driving force behind an action.Tatoeba #75233 by fcbond, translation #328486 by fcbond
- 絶望だI'm in despair.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ren and Yui are discussing a very difficult exam result.
- 蓮 Renもうダメだ。絶望的な気分だよ。Mō dame da. Zetsubō-teki na kibun dayo.It's all over. I feel a sense of despair.
- 結衣 Yuiそんなに絶望しないで。まだチャンスはあるよ。Sonna ni zetsubō shinaide. Mada chansu wa aru yo.Don't despair so much. There is still a chance.
- 蓮 Ren本当に？でも点数が低すぎるよ。Hontō ni? Demo tensū ga hikusugiru yo.Really? But my score is too low.
- 結衣 Yui次はきっと大丈夫。前を向こうよ。Tsugi wa kitto daijōbu. Mae o mukō yo.It will be okay next time. Let's look forward.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “despair” translations and entries 絶望, 失望, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
