Japanese Symbol for

絶望

zetsubō

despair · hopelessness · giving up

Readings

  • 絶 ONゼツzetsu
  • 絶 KUNた(える)・た(つ)taeru / tatsu (to cut off, to end)
  • 望 ONボウbō
  • 望 KUNのぞ(む)nozomu (to hope, to wish)

Meaning

Despair, hopelessness, complete loss of hope. 絶望 literally means "cut off from hope" — 絶 (to sever, to end absolutely) + 望 (hope). The antonym of 希望 (kibō — hope).

Example words

絶望的

zetsubō-teki

desperate, hopeless

希望と絶望

kibō to zetsubō

hope and despair

失望

shitsubō

disappointment, disillusionment

諦める

akirameru

to give up, to abandon hope

虚無感

kyomukan

sense of emptiness, nihilism

どん底

donzoko

rock bottom, the very depths

絶望 features prominently in Japanese literature and media — the contrast between 希望 (hope) and 絶望 (despair) is a central tension in countless stories. 諦め (akirame — giving up/acceptance) is philosophically complex in Japanese: it can mean unhealthy resignation, but also the Buddhist acceptance of impermanence. The word comes from 明らめ (clarifying, seeing clearly) — accepting reality as it is.

Learn to read Japanese

Hiragana and katakana are the keys to reading Japanese. Our free trainers get them locked in fast.

Hiragana Trainer → Katakana Trainer →