How to Say "Nihilism" in Japanese

ニヒリズム

nihirizumu[ɲ̟içiɾʲizɨmɯ̟]

Nihilism in Japanese is said as ニヒリズム (nihirizumu).

The term refers to the philosophical view that all endeavors are devoid of objective meaning.

Meaning: view that all endeavours are devoid of objective meaning (noun)

How do you pronounce it?

nihirizumu

Japanese has a related concept called 諦め 'akirame', which is often translated as 'resignation' but can be a positive, mindful acceptance of the void that differs from Western nihilism.
The word ニヒリズム is a hybrid loanword that draws from both the English 'nihilism' and the German 'Nihilismus'.
In anime and manga, characters associated with ニヒリズム are often portrayed with a trope of 'detached coolness' rather than simple despair.

彼はニヒリズムに陥っている。
Kare wa nihirizumu ni ochitte iru.
He has fallen into nihilism.
ニヒリズムという考え方は難しい。
Nihirizumu to iu kangaekata wa muzukashii.
The concept of nihilism is difficult.
文学にはニヒリズムが漂っている。
Bungaku ni wa nihirizumu ga tadayotte iru.
There is a sense of nihilism drifting through the literature.

Two students are discussing a philosophy book in a library.

大翔 Hiroto

この本はニヒリズムについて書いてあるね。
Kono hon wa nihirizumu ni tsuite kaite aru ne.
This book is about nihilism, isn't it?
陽葵 Himari

うん、でも少し内容が暗すぎるよ。
Un, demo sukoshi naiyō ga kurasugiru yo.
Yeah, but the content is a bit too dark.
大翔 Hiroto

人生に意味がないなんて悲しいな。
Jinsei ni imi ga nai nante kanashii na.
It's sad to think that life has no meaning.
陽葵 Himari

だからこそ、自分で意味を作るんだよ。
Dakarakoso, jibun de imi o tsukuru nda yo.
That's exactly why we create our own meaning.

Sources

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