Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Give" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "give", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
諦める
あきらめる (akirameru)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
思い切る
おもいきる (omoikiru)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "give" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 諦める and 思い切る.
In Japanese, 諦める (あきらめる (akirameru)) is typically associated with "to give up" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents 努力を続けたり、何かを達成しようとすることをやめる際に使われます。.
On the other hand, 思い切る (おもいきる (omoikiru)) maps to "to give up; to abandon; to make a final decision; to make a clean break" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents Implies making a bold decision to abandon something or to take a decisive action, often after much hesitation. Can also mean to give up entirely.. A literal translation of "give" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "諦める"
どんなに難しくても、夢を諦めてはいけません。
No matter how difficult it is, you shouldn't give up on your dream.
Bilingual Context for "思い切る"
彼女は長年の夢を思い切って諦めた。
She bravely gave up her long-cherished dream.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "どんなに難しくても、夢を諦めてはいけません。" (Meaning: "No matter how difficult it is, you shouldn't give up on your dream.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "諦める" fits here because it means "to give up" in the context of: "No matter how difficult it is, you shouldn't give up on your dream.". "思い切る" represents "to give up; to abandon; to make a final decision; to make a clean break".