Japanese word

諦める

Pronunciation

Romajiakirameru

Meaning

  • verbgive up

Example

その夢を諦めません。so no yume o akira me ma se n

I will not give up on that dream.

Illustration for 諦める (give up)

More examples

難しくても、すぐに諦めません。muzuka shi ku te mo su gu ni akira me ma se n

Even if it is hard, I do not give up right away.

失敗しても、すぐに諦めません。ship pai shi te mo su gu ni akira me ma se n

Even if you fail, do not give up right away.

Core concept

Stops pursuing a goal after accepting that the desired result will not be achieved.

Common phrases

  • 夢を諦めるyume o akira me ru

    give up on a dream

  • 簡単に諦めるkan tan ni akira me ru

    give up easily

  • 途中で諦めるto chū de akira me ru

    give up halfway

Similar words

やめるyameru: To stop an action or plan for any reason.
見切るmikiru: To stop pursuing a goal after judging that success is unlikely.
投げ出すnagedasu: To abandon a task or responsibility before completing it, often suddenly.

Definition in Japanese

望んでいたことの実現は難しいと受け入れ、そのための努力をやめること。nozo n de i ta ko to no jitsu gen wa muzuka shi i to u ke i re so no ta me no do ryoku o ya me ru ko to

Word origin

諦める (akirameru) comes from the classical verb あきらむ (akiramu), originally meaning "to make clear" or "to understand"; it came to mean accepting reality and abandoning a hope.

Usage tips

  • In casual speech, もう諦めた (mō akirameta) marks a change from hope to resignation, while まだ諦めていない (mada akiramete inai) keeps the possibility open.

Other meanings

  • abandonverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word