How to say 'Despair' in Japanese | 絶望

Wondering how to say 'Despair' in Japanese? You're in the right place!

The Japanese word for Despair is 'Zetsubou', written as 絶望 in Japanese.'Despair' in hiragana is ぜつぼう.

word

絶望

Meaning

Despair

Reading

ぜつぼう

zetsubou

Kanji

絶Break off, Extinction 望Hope, Ambition

Explanation

The Japanese noun '絶望 (ぜつぼう)' means 'despair'. It refers to a state of complete loss of hope or a feeling of utter hopelessness. This word is often used in serious or dramatic contexts, such as in literature, personal struggles, or emotional situations. For example: He fell into despair「彼は絶望に陥った」(かれはぜつぼうにおちいった). The news filled her with despair「その知らせは彼女を絶望で満たした」(そのしらせはかのじょをぜつぼうでみたした). The word can also be used metaphorically to describe situations or outcomes that seem beyond repair or improvement.

Part Of Speech

noun

Kanji JLPT

Kanji Grade

Frequency

5470

Composition

kanji

Handwriting

Kanji in the Word 絶望

This word contains 2 kanji characters:

kanji

絶

Meaning

Break off, Extinction

kanji

望

Meaning

Hope, Ambition

Words Related to 絶望 Through the Kanji 絶

These 5 Words contain the Kanji 絶 as well.

word

絶対に

Meaning

Absolutely

word

絶える

Meaning

Cease

word

絶対

Meaning

Absolutely

word

気絶

Meaning

Fainting

word

絶えず

Meaning

Constantly

Words Related to 絶望 Through the Kanji 望

These 11 Words contain the Kanji 望 as well.

word

望む

Meaning

Desire, Hope

word

希望

Meaning

Hope

word

失望

Meaning

Disappointment

word

欲望

Meaning

Desire

word

望ましい

Meaning

Desirable

word

願望

Meaning

Desire

word

望み

Meaning

Hope

word

展望

Meaning

View

word

要望

Meaning

Request

word

有望

Meaning

Promising

word

待ち望む

Meaning

Eagerly await

Learn the Word 絶望

Let's make sure you fully understand this word.

What does 'Zetsubou' (絶望) mean?

'Zetsubou' means 'Despair' .

To help you master this word, here's an interactive lesson where you'll practice its readings and meanings.