絶望的
zetsubōteki
The English phrase "desperate" is translated into Japanese as 絶望的 (zetsubōteki).
While the English word "desperate" can mean both having no hope or being in dire need of something, the Japanese 絶望的 specifically carries the nuance of being hopeless or beyond salvation.
Meaning: in dire need (of something) (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of 絶望 (despair/hopelessness) and the suffix 的, which turns a noun into an adjective, similar to '-ic' or '-al' in English.
Which one should you use?
If you want to express that a situation is critical, you should use 危機的（ききてき）な. To express that a situation is extremely earnest, use 切実（せつじつ）な. For an informal way to say "it's already hopeless," you can use もうダメ（もうだめ）だ.
How do you pronounce it?
zetsubōteki
Did you know?
- The character 絶 in 絶望的 means 'to sever' or 'to cut off', implying that hope has been physically cut away from the person.
- While 絶望的 describes a hopeless state, Japanese speakers often use the word 絶望 (despair) in a hyperbolic way to describe minor inconveniences, like a dead phone battery.
- The suffix 的 (teki) is borrowed from Classical Chinese and is used so frequently in modern Japanese that it has created an entire category of adjectives that feel more clinical or academic than traditional ones.
Examples in context
- 戦況は絶望的だった。The war situation was desperate.This sentence is useful for describing a war situation using 絶望的.Tatoeba #141334 by xtofu80, translation #273237 by sundown
- 切実な助けが必要です。I desperately need help.
- その問題は絶望的な状況です。The situation with that problem is hopeless.
- 必死に助けを求めたが、誰も来なかった。I desperately sought help, but nobody came.
- この状況はもうダメだよ！This situation is already hopeless!
- 今の状況は絶望的だ。Ima no joukyou wa zetsubouteki da.The current situation is desperate.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a difficult game level.
- 結衣 Yuiこのレベル、クリアできるかな？Kono reberu, kuria dekiru kana?Do you think we can clear this level?
- 蓮 Ren今の状況は絶望的だよ。Ima no joukyou wa zetsubouteki da yo.The situation is desperate right now.
- 結衣 Yuiそれでも、諦めないで！Soredemo, akira menaide!Even so, don't give up!
- 蓮 Renわかった、やってみるよ。Wakatta, yatte miru yo.Okay, I'll give it a try.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
