Translation guide
The English word 'hopeless' can describe a situation with no chance of success, a person who is very bad at something, or a feeling of despair. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for each meaning, from common phrases to nuanced vocabulary.
Describing a situation, attempt, or effort that is futile or impossible to succeed.
Literally 'there is no hope'. A straightforward and common way to say a situation is hopeless.
彼が助かる望みはない。
There is no hope that he will survive.
There is no hope of success for this plan.
Means 'desperate' or 'hopeless'. Often used for situations that are beyond help or extremely dire.
状況は絶望的だ。
The situation is hopeless.
彼の病状は絶望的です。
His medical condition is hopeless.
Means 'nothing can be done about it' or 'it's hopeless'. Used when a situation is beyond control or remedy.
もうどうにもならない。
It's hopeless now.
この問題はどうにもならない。
This problem is hopeless.
Means 'impossible' or 'unreasonable'. Often used in casual speech to say something is hopeless or can't be done.
それは無理だよ。
That's hopeless / impossible.
彼を説得するのは無理だ。
It's hopeless to try to persuade him.
Means 'there is no prospect/chance'. Slightly more formal, often used in business or serious contexts.
回復の見込みはない。
There is no prospect of recovery.
Describing someone who lacks skill or ability in a particular area, often humorously or critically.
Means 'there's no helping it' or 'hopeless'. Commonly used to describe a person who is incorrigibly bad at something.
彼は方向音痴でどうしようもない。
He's hopeless with directions.
あの選手はどうしようもないね。
That player is hopeless, isn't he?
Casual and versatile word meaning 'no good', 'useless', or 'hopeless'. Often used to describe a person's lack of ability.
Means 'unskillful' or 'poor at'. A direct way to say someone is bad at something, though less strong than 'hopeless'.
Means 'beyond help' or 'hopeless case'. Stronger and more dramatic, often used for someone who is irredeemably bad.
彼のセンスは救いようがない。
His taste is hopeless.
Expressing a personal emotional state of hopelessness, despair, or pessimism.
Noun meaning 'despair' or 'hopelessness'. Often used with 感じる (to feel) or に陥る (to fall into).
彼は絶望を感じていた。
He felt hopeless.
絶望に陥るな。
Don't give in to despair.
Literally 'there is no hope'. Can describe a personal feeling of having no hope.
将来に希望が持てない。
I feel hopeless about the future.
Means 'helpless', 'miserable', or 'hopeless'. Describes a deep, lingering sadness or despair.
望みがない is a neutral statement of fact ('there is no hope'), while 絶望的 carries a stronger emotional weight and is often used for extreme situations. 絶望的 can also describe a person's state of mind.
成功の望みがない。
There is no hope of success.
彼は絶望的になった。
He became hopeless/desperate.
English often uses 'hopeless' as a predicate adjective ('I'm hopeless at...'). Japanese does not have a single adjective that covers all these uses. Instead, use phrases like ダメ, 下手, or どうしようもない depending on context. Direct translations like ホープレス are not natural.
I'm completely hopeless at math.
彼は運転がダメなんだ。
He's hopeless at driving.
He's hopeless at singing.
やるせない気持ちでいっぱいだ。
I'm filled with a hopeless feeling.