Word
諦め
Meaning in Englishresignation, reconciliation, consolation
Animated kanji stroke order
Related sentences
Word context
What it means
What does 諦め mean? It refers to the act or state of giving up or accepting that a desired outcome is unlikely, often involving a mental adjustment rather than continued effort. It describes choosing to stop pursuing a goal and to move on, or simply accepting a situation as it is.
Main meanings
- State of giving up or renunciation, especially regarding a goal or hope.
- Acceptance of reality; coming to terms with a result or limitation.
- Emotional stance tied to surrender, often linked with the expression 諦めがつく to indicate a settled resignation.
How to use it
Used as a noun to denote the mental state of surrender; common in everyday speech and semi-formal writing when discussing plans, expectations, or disappointments. The related verb 諦める expresses the action of giving up, and fixed expressions like 諦めがつく describe reaching a sense of resignation.
Variants and close terms
- 断念 (dannen) — giving up on a plan
- 放棄 (hōki) — abandonment or renunciation
Composition
- 諦: conveys the idea of giving up or conceding; used here as the root concept that anchors the noun form.
- め: a suffix that turns the verb stem into the noun indicating the act or state of the action.
Word class
noun (名詞)