決してあきらめない
kesshite akiramenai
The phrase "never say never" is translated into Japanese as 決してあきらめない (kesshite akiramenai).
Meaning: Translations (phrase)
How do you pronounce it?
kesshite akiramenai
Did you know?
- The verb あきらめる in 決してあきらめない originally meant 'to brighten' or 'to dawn'. It evolved from the idea of seeing the dawn and realizing a situation is hopeless, thus leading to the meaning 'to give up'.
- While 決してあきらめない means 'never give up', Japanese speakers often use the idiom 七転び八起き (falling seven times, getting up eight) to express the same spirit of resilience.
- While 決してあきらめない is a phrase of resilience, Japanese culture also uses the concept of 諦観 (teikan), which is the wisdom of knowing when to accept a hopeless situation as a form of spiritual peace.
Examples in context
- 友達：あきらめると思っちゃダメだよ。Friend: You must never think of giving up.
Example conversation
Yui is encouraging Kenta after he failed a test.
- 結衣 Yuiもうダメかもしれない。mou dame kamoshirenai.It might be impossible now.
- 健太 Kentaそんなこと言うなよ。sonna koto iu na yo.Don't say that.
- 結衣 Yui健太、決してあきらめないで。Kenta, kesshite akiramenai de.Kenta, never give up.
- 健太 Kentaありがとう、もう一度頑張るよ。arigatou, mou ichido ganbaru yo.Thanks, I'll try my best one more time.
