Japanese word

必死

Pronunciation

Romajihisshi

Meaning

  • na-adjectivedesperate

Example

母は子どもを必死に探します。haha wa ko do mo o his shi ni saga shi ma su

The mother frantically searches for her child.

Illustration for 必死 (desperate)

More examples

彼は遅れを取り戻そうと、駅まで必死に走りました。kare wa oku re o to ri modo sō to eki ma de his shi ni hashi ri ma shi ta

He ran desperately to the station to make up for lost time.

Core concept

Expresses a state in which a person has no choice but to act with every ounce of strength.

Common phrases

  • 必死に頑張るhis shi ni gan ba ru

    try one's hardest

  • 必死に探すhis shi ni saga su

    search desperately

  • 必死に覚えるhis shi ni obo e ru

    struggle to memorize

Similar words

一生懸命isshōkenmei: A state of putting all one's energy into a task or goal.
懸命kenmei: A state of making the greatest possible effort toward a goal.
真剣shinken: A state of treating a matter seriously and giving it focused attention.

Definition in Japanese

余裕を失い、死に物狂いで力を尽くすさま。yo yū o ushina i shi ni mono guru i de chikara o tsu ku su sa ma

Word origin

必 (hitsu, "certainly") and 死 (shi, "death") combine in 必死 (hisshi) to mean "certain death," giving the word its sense of acting as if one's life depends on the outcome.

Usage tips

  • The adverb 必死に (hisshi ni) is common in conversation and can describe studying, working, searching, or trying, even when no physical danger is involved.

Other meanings

  • franticna-adjective

Opposites

Related words

  • 必死さhisshisadesperationnoun

Word lists with this word