絶望

• Reading: ぜつぼう
• Romaji: zetsubou
• Kanji breakdown: 絶 (zetsu) — sever, cut off, cease; 望 (bō) — hope, desire, gaze
• Pronunciation: /ze.tsɯ.boː/

Meaning

Despair; hopelessness. A complete loss of hope or expectation.

A noun and suru-verb (自動詞) expressing the total absence of hope. A powerful word used for both genuine emotional devastation and dramatic literary effect. The opposite is 希望 (kibou, hope). Common collocations include 絶望的 (desperate/hopeless as an adjective) and 絶望感 (sense of despair).

Examples

1. 何度も不合格になり、絶望しかけた。 After failing multiple times, I was on the verge of despair.
2. 絶望的な状況でも諦めてはいけない。 Even in a desperate situation, you must not give up.
3. 戦争で家を失った人々の絶望は計り知れない。 The despair of people who lost their homes in the war is immeasurable.

Usage Guide

Context: literature, personal struggles, news

Tone: negative

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese: 絶 (zetsu, sever/cut off) + 望 (bō, hope/desire). Literally 'severed hope' — hope that has been completely cut off.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal