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March 24, 2026
绝望(絕望)juéwàng(jue2wang4)
绝望 (jue2 wang4) means to despair or to give up all hope. It is often used to describe a state of extreme hopelessness in difficult situations, conveying deep emotional distress. This term can be employed in both personal and broader contexts, such as in discussions about societal issues or personal struggles.
Strokes20Frequency#2785DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese literature and film, the theme of despair often appears in stories depicting struggles against fate or societal pressures, reflecting a cultural emphasis on resilience in the face of adversity.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person standing on a cliff (绝) looking down into an endless abyss (望), feeling hopeless because there seems to be no way out. The character 绝 captures the idea of 'cutting off' hope, while 望 suggests longing or looking towards something unattainable.
Meanings of 绝望
juéwàng(jue2wang4)
1to despair
2to give up all hope
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 绝望
绝望Simplified
絕望Traditional
20Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#2785Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2
Podcast: 绝望
Podcast: 绝望
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AI Study Notes for 绝望
Quick Contrast
绝望 (despair) vs 失望 (disappointment) — use 绝望 for extreme hopelessness, while 失望 indicates a sense of letdown without the same intensity.
Usage Notes
When using 绝望, be aware that it has a strong emotional weight and is often more suitable for serious contexts rather than casual conversation. Common collocations include 绝望的境地 (a state of despair) and 绝望的感受 (feelings of despair). Avoid using it in overly casual settings.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 6 word, 绝望 connects with other advanced vocabulary related to emotions and psychological states. Students should focus on using it in complex sentences that express nuanced feelings or situations of hopelessness to enhance their fluency.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 绝望 with similar terms, using it incorrectly in less severe contexts. For example, saying '我对考试很绝望' (I am very desperate about the exam) should be corrected to '我对考试很担心' (I am very worried about the exam) for a less intense feeling.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 绝望
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Knowing 绝望 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
绝望 (jue2 wang4) means to despair or to give up all hope. It is often used to describe a state of extreme hopelessness in difficult situations, conveying deep emotional distress. This term can be employed in both personal and broader contexts, such as in discussions about societal issues or personal struggles.
When to use 绝望
When using 绝望, be aware that it has a strong emotional weight and is often more suitable for serious contexts rather than casual conversation. Common collocations include 绝望的境地 (a state of despair) and 绝望的感受 (feelings of despair). Avoid using it in overly casual settings.
绝望 or something close to it
绝望 (despair) vs 失望 (disappointment) — use 绝望 for extreme hopelessness, while 失望 indicates a sense of letdown without the same intensity.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 绝望 with similar terms, using it incorrectly in less severe contexts. For example, saying '我对考试很绝望' (I am very desperate about the exam) should be corrected to '我对考试很担心' (I am very worried about the exam) for a less intense feeling.
Write 绝望
绝
望
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Grammar Patterns of 绝望
绝望 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 4 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 5
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
我要克服所有的软弱、____和恐惧。
I would overcome any weakness, any despair, any fear.
