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断念する

B1 verb 10 min read

断念する

dannen suru

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 断念する in 30 Seconds

Explanation 断念する in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'dannen suru' is a very advanced word. You usually learn 'yameru' (to stop) or 'akirameru' (to give up) first. Think of 'dannen suru' as a very 'strong' and 'serious' version of 'stop'. You use it for big things, like a big trip or a big dream. For example, if you want to go to Japan but you have no money, you might say 'I give up on my trip'. In Japanese, for a big trip, 'dannen suru' is used. It is a 'suru-verb', so you say 'Noun + を + dannen shimasu'. It sounds very formal, like a news reporter. At this level, you don't need to use it often, but if you see it, just remember it means 'to stop a big plan forever'. It is made of two kanji. The first one looks like a knife cutting something. The second one is about thoughts. So, you are 'cutting your thoughts' about a plan. It is a very clear and final 'no'.

At the A2 level, you start to see the difference between casual and formal Japanese. 'Dannen suru' is the formal way to say you've stopped pursuing a goal. While 'akirameru' is common in songs and anime about feelings, 'dannen suru' is common in news about events. You might use it when talking about a school project or a sports match that was cancelled. For example, 'Ame dakara, pikuniku wo dannen shita' (Because of rain, I gave up on the picnic). This sounds more decisive than 'yameta'. It implies you really wanted to go, but the rain made it impossible. Remember the structure: [Target] + を + 断念する. It's a useful word to know when reading simple news articles or formal announcements at a station or airport. It shows you are moving beyond basic conversation into more structured, adult-like Japanese.

As a B1 learner, you should begin incorporating 'dannen suru' into your formal writing and presentations. This is the level where nuance becomes important. You use 'dannen suru' to show that a decision was made after considering the situation. It's particularly useful in business or academic contexts. For instance, instead of saying you 'quit' a project, saying you 'dannen' the project suggests a logical conclusion based on feasibility. It often appears in the past tense 'dannen shita' or the formal 'dannen itashimashita'. You should also recognize it in phrases like 'dannen saseru' (to make someone give up). At this level, you can distinguish it from 'chushi' (cancellation). 'Chushi' is about the event itself not happening, while 'dannen' is about the person or organization deciding to stop their effort towards that event. It's a subtle but important distinction for sounding natural.

At the B2 level, you should be comfortable using 'dannen suru' in complex sentences and understanding its idiomatic uses. You will encounter it in literature and editorials. It often pairs with specific adverbs that change the tone, such as 'isagiyoku' (gracefully) or 'yamu wo ezu' (unavoidably). You should also be able to use the noun form 'dannen' (abandonment/resignation). For example, 'Keikaku no dannen wa fukahi datta' (The abandonment of the plan was inevitable). At this stage, you should also understand the social implications. In Japan, 'dannen' can sometimes be a polite way to say 'no' to a proposal that isn't working out. It avoids blaming individuals and focuses on the 'cutting' of the plan itself. You'll also see it in political discourse when a bill is 'dannen' (scrapped) due to lack of support. Your usage should reflect this level of maturity and situational awareness.

For C1 learners, 'dannen suru' is a tool for precise expression. You should understand its historical and kanji-based roots to appreciate its weight. It's not just 'giving up'; it's a 'severance of intent'. You will see it in high-level legal, political, and philosophical texts. It can describe the relinquishing of rights, the abandonment of long-held ideologies, or the strategic withdrawal from a conflict. You should be able to contrast it with 'houki' (renunciation) and 'tekkai' (retraction) in a nuanced way. For example, 'dannen' focuses on the psychological and practical end of an ambition, whereas 'houki' focuses on the legal status of a right. In a professional debate, using 'dannen' suggests a finality that 'miokuru' (deferring) does not. You should also be sensitive to its use in historical contexts, such as a general 'dannen'ing a siege. Your mastery should include the ability to use it to convey a sense of tragic but necessary closure.

At the C2 level, you possess a native-like grasp of 'dannen suru'. You understand its resonance in the Japanese psyche—the balance between 'shigami-tsuku' (clinging) and 'dannen' (letting go). You can use it in literary analysis to describe a character's arc of resignation. You are aware of its use in extremely formal imperial or diplomatic language where every word carries immense weight. You can use it metaphorically, such as 'dannen'ing a part of one's identity for the sake of social harmony. You recognize it in the most complex grammatical structures, such as double negatives or archaic forms found in classic literature. Your use of the word is perfectly timed and contextually flawless, whether you are writing a white paper on economic policy or a deep-dive essay on Japanese aesthetics. You understand that 'dannen' is not just a verb, but a philosophical stance on the limits of human agency in the face of overwhelming reality.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

断念する in 30 Seconds

A formal verb meaning 'to abandon' or 'to give up' on a significant plan or dream.
Used when external reasons or logical conclusions make a goal impossible to reach.
More objective and decisive than the emotional and common word 'akirameru'.
Commonly found in news reports, business discussions, and serious personal decisions.

The Japanese verb 断念する (dannen suru) is a sophisticated way to express the act of giving up, abandoning a plan, or relinquishing a desire. Unlike the more common and colloquial word akirameru (諦める), which can be used for anything from giving up on a video game to giving up on a dream, dannen suru carries a much heavier, more formal, and often more objective weight. It is composed of two kanji: 断 (dan), meaning to cut off or sever, and 念 (nen), meaning thought, desire, or concern. Literally, it means to 'cut off one's thoughts' regarding a particular path or goal. This implies a process of deliberation where one realizes that continuing is impossible, impractical, or unwise, leading to a definitive decision to stop.

Formal Resignation: This word is frequently used in news reports, business contexts, and formal writing to describe the cancellation of large-scale projects or long-term goals due to external circumstances like lack of funding or bad weather.
Emotional Weight: While it sounds objective, it often implies a sense of regret or a difficult decision made after much effort. It is not a casual 'giving up' but a 'surrendering' of a significant intention.

資金不足のため、彼は海外留学を断念するしかなかった。

Translation: Due to a lack of funds, he had no choice but to abandon his plans to study abroad.

In daily life, you might hear this when an athlete has to pull out of a competition due to injury, or when a government decides to scrap a controversial policy. It is a 'hard' stop. While akirameru focuses on the internal feeling of losing hope, dannen suru focuses on the external act of terminating the pursuit. You 'cut' the thread of your intention so you can move on, even if it is painful.

悪天候の影響で、頂上への登頂を断念することにした。

Translation: Due to the influence of bad weather, we decided to give up on reaching the summit.

Kanji Breakdown: 断 (Dan): To cut, sever, or decide. It implies a sharp break. 念 (Nen): Thought, sense, or desire. Together, they signify a sharp break from a previously held desire or thought process.

怪我の回復が遅れ、彼は今シーズンの出場を断念すると発表した。

Ultimately, dannen suru is a word of closure. It marks the point where a possibility is extinguished by reality. Whether it is a business merger that fell through or a personal ambition that hit a wall, using this word signals to the listener that the matter is closed and will not be pursued further. It is a decisive, mature, and often somber term that reflects the reality of limitations in life and society.

Using 断念する (dannen suru) correctly requires understanding its grammatical structure and the types of objects it takes. As a suru-verb, it acts as a transitive verb, meaning it almost always takes a direct object followed by the particle を (wo). The object is typically a noun representing a plan, a dream, a goal, or an action that was intended to be carried out.

The [Noun] を断念する Pattern: This is the most common structure. Common nouns include 計画 (keikaku - plan), 夢 (yume - dream), 登山 (tozan - mountain climbing), 開催 (kaisai - holding an event), and 出場 (shutsujo - participation/appearance).

政府は新空港の建設を断念すると決めた。

Translation: The government decided to abandon the construction of the new airport.

When you want to say you gave up 'doing' something, you must nominalize the verb using こと (koto) or の (no). For example, 'gave up on going' would be iku koto wo dannen suru. This adds a layer of formality to the action itself.

Passive and Potential Forms: You will often see it in the form dannen sezu wo enai (cannot help but abandon) or dannen saserareta (was forced to abandon). These emphasize that the decision was not entirely voluntary but forced by circumstances.

彼はプロ歌手になる夢を断念せざるを得なかった。

Translation: He had no choice but to give up his dream of becoming a professional singer.

Another important usage is in the negative: 断念しない (dannen shinai). This indicates a strong, almost stubborn persistence. 'I will not give up on this plan no matter what' would be donna koto ga atte mo, kono keikaku wa dannen shinai. This usage highlights the 'severing' aspect—the speaker refuses to cut the connection to their goal.

一度決めたことを簡単に断念するべきではない。

Translation: You should not easily abandon something once you have decided on it.

Collocation with Adverbs: Commonly paired with adverbs like 潔く (isagiyoku - gracefully/manly), 完全に (kanzen ni - completely), or 泣く泣く (nakunaku - tearfully/reluctantly).

In summary, when using dannen suru, focus on the object being abandoned. It should be something significant. The grammar follows standard transitive suru-verb rules, but the choice of this word over akirameru immediately elevates the tone of your Japanese to a more professional and serious level.

If you are in Japan, you will encounter 断念する (dannen suru) most frequently in media and professional environments. It is a staple of NHK news broadcasts and newspaper headlines. Whenever a high-profile event is cancelled or a major political move is withdrawn, this is the word that reporters use. It provides a sense of finality and official status to the news.

News and Media: Headline: 'Olympic participation abandoned by top athlete due to injury.' (トップ選手、怪我で五輪出場を断念). This sounds much more professional than saying they 'gave up' (akirameta).

台風の接近により、野外コンサートの開催を断念することとなりました。

Translation: Due to the approaching typhoon, it has been decided to abandon the holding of the outdoor concert.

In a business setting, you might hear this during a board meeting or a project review. If a company was planning to expand into a new market but found the costs too high, the CEO might say, 'We have decided to dannen the expansion.' This signals that the decision is based on data and logic, rather than just a lack of will.

採算が取れないと判断し、新規事業への参入を断念しました。

Translation: Judging that it would not be profitable, we abandoned our entry into the new business.

Sports Commentary: Commentators use it when a runner stops during a marathon or a team withdraws from a tournament. It conveys the gravity of the athlete's disappointment.

You will also find it in literature and historical dramas (Jidaigeki). A samurai might dannen his quest for revenge if he realizes it will only bring more sorrow. In these contexts, the word emphasizes the internal struggle and the eventual 'cutting' of the emotional bond to the goal. It is a word of high drama and serious stakes.

彼は長年追い続けた復讐を、家族のために断念した。

Lastly, in academic or technical writing, dannen suru is used to describe the cessation of an experiment or the rejection of a hypothesis that didn't pan out. It is the language of reality checking. If you want to sound like a native speaker who understands the nuances of formality, paying attention to where dannen suru appears will give you a clear map of Japanese professional and serious social discourse.

Because 断念する (dannen suru) and akirameru (諦める) both translate to 'give up' in English, learners often swap them incorrectly. The most common mistake is using dannen suru for trivial, everyday things. You wouldn't say 'I dannen-shita eating this chocolate' just because you're on a diet. That sounds absurdly dramatic, like you're cancelling a multi-million dollar satellite launch. For small, personal choices, always stick to akirameru or yameru.

Mistake 1: Over-dramatizing Small Things: Incorrect: 宿題をするのを断念した (I abandoned doing my homework). Correct: 宿題をするのを諦めた. Using dannen here makes it sound like your homework was a life-long mission that you've officially terminated.

❌ デザートを食べるのを断念した。
✅ デザートを食べるのを諦めた。

Note: Unless the dessert is a world-record attempt, don't use 'dannen'.

Another mistake involves the particle usage. While akirameru can sometimes be used without a clear object in a sentence like 'I give up!' (もう諦めた！), dannen suru almost always requires a specific target. You are abandoning a specific thing or plan. If you just shout 'Dannen shita!' without context, people will wonder what exactly you officially cancelled.

❌ 彼の性格を断念した。
✅ 彼の性格を諦めた。

Note: You don't 'abandon a plan' regarding someone's personality; you 'give up hope' on it.

Mistake 2: Confusing with 'Yameru': 'Yameru' (辞める/止める) means to quit a job or stop an action. 'Dannen suru' is the *decision* to stop a future goal. If you quit your job today, you 'yameru'. If you give up on the idea of ever finding a job, you 'dannen suru'.

A third mistake is using it in very casual speech with friends. Because it is a kango (Chinese-origin word), it can sound stiff or cold. If you tell a friend 'I dannen-shita going to the party,' they might think you're being sarcastic or overly formal. In casual conversation, yameta (stopped) or ikanai koto ni shita (decided not to go) are much more natural.

❌ 明日の飲み会、断念するわ。
✅ 明日の飲み会、やめとくわ。

Finally, watch out for the nuance of 'responsibility'. Dannen suru often implies that external factors made the goal impossible. If you just got lazy and stopped, dannen suru might sound like you're making an excuse. Use it when there's a legitimate reason to 'cut' the plan short.

To truly master 断念する (dannen suru), you should know how it compares to its synonyms. Japanese has many ways to say 'stop' or 'give up,' each with a distinct flavor. Choosing the right one shows your level of fluency.

諦める (Akirameru): The most common alternative. It's internal and emotional. You 'akirameru' when you lose heart. You 'dannen' when the logistics or reality say 'no'.
放棄する (Houki suru): This means to 'abandon' or 'renounce' a right or responsibility. It's often used in legal contexts, like 'abandoning parental rights' or 'abandoning a search'. It's more about throwing something away than giving up on a dream.

権利を放棄する vs. 計画を断念する。

Comparison: Renouncing a right vs. Abandoning a plan.

Another similar word is 中止する (chushi suru), which means to 'cancel' or 'suspend'. This is used for events or processes that have already started or were scheduled. If a game is stopped because of rain, it's chushi. If the team decides not to play in the tournament at all next year, it's dannen.

撤回する (Tekkai suru): This means to 'withdraw' or 'retract' something, like a statement, an offer, or a proposal. If you take back a promise, you 'tekkai'. If you give up on the goal of that promise, you 'dannen'.
見送る (Miokuru): Literally 'to see someone off,' but in business, it means to 'put on hold' or 'pass on' an opportunity. It's softer than 'dannen'. It implies 'not this time' rather than 'never'.

今回は採用を見送ることにしました。

Translation: We have decided to pass on hiring (this candidate) this time.

Finally, consider 投げ出す (nagedasu), which means to 'throw up one's hands' or 'abandon mid-way' out of frustration or laziness. This is the opposite of isagiyoku dannen suru. It's irresponsible and messy. Dannen is a clean, albeit sad, break. Knowing these differences allows you to express the exact nature of the 'stop' you are describing.

仕事を途中で投げ出すのは無責任だ。

In professional Japanese, you will often see these words used in combination. A project might be miokuri (deferred) first, then later dannen (abandoned) entirely. Understanding this hierarchy of 'giving up' is key to navigating Japanese corporate and social structures.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In Buddhist philosophy, the act of 'cutting off thoughts' (dannen) is related to letting go of attachments to reach a state of peace. While the modern usage is more about plans and goals, the philosophical weight remains.

Pronunciation Guide

UK dän.nen.sɯ.ɾɯ

US dɑn.nɛn.su.ru

The pitch accent is typically 'Atamadaka' (Type 1), meaning the first syllable 'da' is high and the rest are low: DA-n-ne-n-su-ru.

Rhymes With

Kannen (Resignation) Sennen (Devotion) Zannen (Regret) Shinnen (Belief) Mennen (Continuous) Tennen (Natural) Bennen (Eloquence) Gennen (First year)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'nen' like 'neen' (long vowel).
Using a heavy English 'r' for 'ru'.
Misplacing the pitch accent on the 'nen' syllable.
Blurring the double 'n' sound between 'dan' and 'nen'.
Confusing the 'u' sound in 'suru' with a rounded 'oo' sound.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 4/5

The kanji '断' and '念' are common, but the combination requires N3/N2 knowledge.

Writing 4/5

Writing the kanji correctly requires attention to stroke order, especially '念'.

Speaking 3/5

Easy to pronounce, but hard to use with the correct formal nuance.

Listening 3/5

Common in news, so easy to hear once you know the word.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

諦める (Akirameru) 止める (Yameru) 計画 (Keikaku) 夢 (Yume) 理由 (Riyu)

Learn Next

放棄する (Houki suru) 撤回する (Tekkai suru) 中止する (Chushi suru) 妥協する (Dakyo suru) 見送る (Miokuru)

Advanced

断腸の思い (Dancho no omoi) 志半ば (Kokoro-zashi nakaba) 余儀なくされる (Yogi naku sareru)

Grammar to Know

〜ざるを得ない (se-zaru-o-enai)

中止を断念せざるを得ない。

〜により (ni yori - formal 'because of')

不況により計画を断念した。

〜ことにした (koto ni shita - decision)

今回は断念することにした。

〜の（ nominalizer）

行くのを断念した。

〜もの（ nominalizer used formally）

断念したものは仕方がない。

Examples by Level

お金がないので、旅行を断念しました。

I gave up on the trip because I have no money.

Uses 'dannen shimashita' (polite past) with the object 'ryoko' (trip).

雨だから、サッカーを断念する。

Because of rain, I will give up on soccer.

Simple present 'dannen suru' used for a future decision.

彼はその夢を断念した。

He gave up on that dream.

Direct object 'yume' (dream) + を + dannen shita.

高いから、買うのを断念した。

It was expensive, so I gave up on buying it.

Nominalizes 'kau' (to buy) into 'kau no' (the act of buying).

忙しくて、勉強を断念する。

I'm busy, so I'll give up on studying.

Connects 'isogashikute' (being busy) as a reason.

病気で、学校を断念した。

Due to illness, I gave up on school.

Uses 'de' to indicate the cause (illness).

危ないから、山登りを断念する。

Because it's dangerous, I'll give up on mountain climbing.

Uses 'kara' for the reason 'abunai' (dangerous).

時間がないから、映画を断念した。

I didn't have time, so I gave up on the movie.

Simple 'dannen shita' for a missed activity.

台風のため、祭りの開催を断念した。

Due to the typhoon, they abandoned holding the festival.

Uses 'no tame' (due to) for a formal reason.

怪我をして、試合への出場を断念した。

I got injured and gave up on participating in the match.

Uses 'te-form' to show the sequence of events (injury then giving up).

計画がうまくいかず、彼は断念した。

The plan didn't go well, so he gave up.

Intransitive-like usage where the object is implied.

留学を断念するのは、とても悲しい。

Giving up on studying abroad is very sad.

Uses 'dannen suru no wa' to make the action the subject.

父は新しいビジネスを断念したらしい。

I heard that my father gave up on his new business.

Uses 'rashii' to indicate hearsay.

彼は最後まで断念しなかった。

He didn't give up until the very end.

Negative form 'dannen shinakatta'.

もう一度考えて、断念することにした。

I thought about it once more and decided to give up.

Uses 'koto ni shita' to show a personal decision.

予算が足りず、工事を断念した。

Budget was insufficient, so we abandoned the construction.

Uses 'zu' (negative te-form) for the reason 'tarizu' (not enough).

プロジェクトの継続を断念せざるを得ない状況だ。

The situation is such that we have no choice but to abandon the continuation of the project.

Uses 'sezaruoenai' (have no choice but to).

彼はプロの道を断念し、会社員になった。

He gave up the professional path and became a company employee.

Contrast between a dream 'pro no michi' and reality 'kaishain'.

政府は増税案の提出を断念したと報じられた。

It was reported that the government abandoned the submission of the tax hike bill.

Passive reporting form 'houjirareta'.

悪天候が続き、登頂を断念するグループが相次いだ。

With the bad weather continuing, one group after another gave up on reaching the summit.

Uses 'aitsuida' (happened one after another).

無理な計画は早めに断念したほうがいい。

It's better to abandon an impossible plan early on.

Advice form 'shita hou ga ii'.

夢を断念した時の悔しさは忘れられない。

I cannot forget the frustration I felt when I gave up on my dream.

Relative clause 'dannen shita toki' (the time I gave up).

彼は怪我のために、今シーズンの出場を断念した。

He gave up on participating this season because of his injury.

Specific noun 'shutsujo' (participation).

その会社は海外進出を断念し、国内市場に集中することにした。

The company abandoned its overseas expansion and decided to focus on the domestic market.

Shows a strategic shift.

周囲の反対に遭い、彼はその計画を断念せざるを得なかった。

Encountering opposition from those around him, he had no choice but to abandon the plan.

Uses 'ni au' (to encounter/suffer from).

長年の研究を断念するのは、彼にとって断腸の思いだった。

Abandoning his years of research was a heart-wrenching experience for him.

Uses 'dancho no omoi' (heart-wrenching feeling).

資金繰りが行き詰まり、新規事業を断念した。

Cash flow hit a dead end, and they abandoned the new business.

Uses 'ikizumari' (hitting a dead end/stalemate).

潔く断念することも、時には勇気が必要だ。

Giving up gracefully sometimes requires courage as well.

Uses 'isagiyoku' (gracefully/bravely).

彼はエベレスト登頂を三度断念したが、四度目で成功した。

He gave up on climbing Everest three times, but succeeded on the fourth.

Shows 'dannen' as a temporary setback in a larger story.

開発チームは、技術的な壁にぶつかりプロジェクトを断念した。

The development team hit a technical wall and abandoned the project.

Metaphorical 'kabe ni butsukari' (hitting a wall).

彼女は家庭の事情により、進学を断念した。

She gave up on continuing her education due to family circumstances.

Formal phrase 'katei no jijo' (family circumstances).

一度は断念したものの、彼の情熱は消えていなかった。

Although he gave up once, his passion had not died out.

Uses 'monono' (although).

採算性を度外視してまで継続すべきではないと判断し、計画を断念した。

Judging that it should not be continued even at the cost of ignoring profitability, they abandoned the plan.

Uses 'dogai-shi' (ignoring/disregarding).

その法案は世論の強い反発を受け、政府は提出を断念するに至った。

The bill faced strong public backlash, leading the government to abandon its submission.

Uses 'ni itatta' (reached the point of).

彼は自らの信念と現実の乖離に悩み、最終的に政治の道を断念した。

Troubled by the gap between his beliefs and reality, he ultimately gave up the path of politics.

Uses 'kairi' (divergence/gap).

不治の病と宣告され、彼はバイオリニストとしての将来を断念した。

Diagnosed with an incurable disease, he gave up his future as a violinist.

Uses 'senkoku sare' (being pronounced/sentenced).

企業買収の交渉は決裂し、両社は提携を断念した。

The acquisition negotiations broke down, and both companies abandoned the alliance.

Specific context of 'kigyo baishu' (M&A).

彼は名誉を守るため、あえて勝利への執着を断念した。

To protect his honor, he dared to abandon his obsession with victory.

Contrast between 'meiyo' (honor) and 'shuchaku' (obsession).

歴史的な建造物の保存を断念し、取り壊しが決定した。

Abandoning the preservation of the historical building, its demolition was decided.

Noun modification 'hozon wo dannen shi'.

彼女は自らの非を認め、昇進の機会を断念した。

She admitted her fault and gave up her chance for promotion.

Uses 'hi wo mitome' (admitting one's fault).

理想と現実の峻烈な葛藤の末に、彼はその崇高な目的を断念した。

After a harsh conflict between ideal and reality, he abandoned that noble purpose.

Uses 'shunretsu' (harsh/severe) and 'katto' (conflict).

その国は核開発の野望を断念せざるを得ない国際的圧力に晒された。

The country was exposed to international pressure that forced it to abandon its nuclear development ambitions.

Uses 'sarasa reta' (was exposed to).

彼は世俗的な欲望を一切断念し、山奥で隠遁生活に入った。

He abandoned all worldly desires and entered a life of seclusion deep in the mountains.

Uses 'sezoku-teki' (worldly/secular) and 'inton' (seclusion).

長年連れ添った妻との離婚を回避できず、彼は円満な家庭という幻想を断念した。

Unable to avoid divorce with his wife of many years, he abandoned the illusion of a harmonious home.

Uses 'enman' (harmonious) and 'genso' (illusion).

独裁者は権力への執着を断念することなく、最期まで抗い続けた。

The dictator continued to resist until the end, without ever abandoning his obsession with power.

Negative 'koto naku' (without doing).

その芸術家は完璧を追求するあまり、未完のまま作品を断念した。

In his excessive pursuit of perfection, the artist abandoned the work unfinished.

Uses 'amari' (too much/to the extent that).

彼は自己のアイデンティティの一部を断念することで、他者との共生を選んだ。

By abandoning a part of his own identity, he chose coexistence with others.

Metaphorical use of identity as an object.

国家の存亡を賭けた戦いにおいて、将軍は撤退という苦渋の決断を下し、拠点の死守を断念した。

In a battle involving the survival of the nation, the general made the bitter decision to retreat and abandoned the defense of the stronghold.

Uses 'kuju no ketsudan' (bitter decision).

Common Collocations

計画を断念する

夢を断念する

登頂を断念する

出場を断念する

開催を断念する

進学を断念する

買収を断念する

潔く断念する

泣く泣く断念する

断念せざるを得ない

Common Phrases

断念に追い込まれる

— To be forced into abandoning something. Used when external pressure leaves no other choice.

政府は法案の断念に追い込まれた。

断念を決意する

— To make a firm decision to give up. Emphasizes the mental process.

彼はついに夢の断念を決意した。

断念を余儀なくされる

— To be compelled to abandon something. A formal, passive expression.

悪天候により中止を余儀なくされた。

断念の意向

— The intention to abandon. Used in news about political or business decisions.

首相は辞任を断念する意向を固めた。

断念の知らせ

— The news of an abandonment. Used when receiving notice that a project is dead.

突然の断念の知らせに驚いた。

早期に断念する

— To give up early. Often seen as a strategic move to minimize loss.

失敗を認め、早期に断念した。

志半ばで断念する

— To give up halfway through one's ambition. A very literary and sad expression.

彼は志半ばでプロジェクトを断念した。

断念を促す

— To urge someone to give up. Used when trying to convince someone a plan is impossible.

医師は彼に過酷な練習の断念を促した。

断念の危機

— The danger of having to give up. Used when a project is at risk of being cancelled.

資金不足で事業は断念の危機にある。

断念を表明する

— To officially announce abandonment. Used by public figures or companies.

知事は立候補の断念を表明した。

Often Confused With

断念する vs 諦める (Akirameru)

Akirameru is emotional; Dannen is logical/formal.

断念する vs 中止する (Chushi suru)

Chushi is about the event; Dannen is about the decision to stop pursuing it.

断念する vs 放棄する (Houki suru)

Houki is about giving up rights; Dannen is about giving up plans.

Idioms & Expressions

"断念の極み"

— The height of resignation. Feeling that there is absolutely no other choice but to stop.

夢を諦めるのは断念の極みだった。

Literary

"断念の文字はない"

— The word 'abandon' is not in one's vocabulary. Used to show extreme determination.

私の辞書に断念の文字はない。

Rhetorical

"断念の一途をたどる"

— To follow a path towards abandonment. Used when a situation is worsening and failure is imminent.

交渉は決裂し、断念の一途をたどった。

Formal

"断念を盾にする"

— To use abandonment as a shield/excuse. Giving up to avoid responsibility.

彼は難しさを理由に断念を盾にした。

Critical

"断念の境地"

— A state of mind where one has reached peace after giving something up.

彼はすべてを失い、断念の境地に達した。

Philosophical

"断念を余儀なくさせる"

— To make someone give up through force or circumstance.

不況が多くの起業家に断念を余儀なくさせた。

Formal

"断念の淵に立つ"

— To stand on the brink of abandonment. Being very close to giving up.

プロジェクトは断念の淵に立たされている。

Dramatic

"断念を糧にする"

— To use one's experience of giving up as nourishment for the future.

今回の断念を糧にして次へ進もう。

Inspirational

"断念の影"

— The shadow of abandonment. A feeling that something is likely to fail.

成功の裏には常に断念の影があった。

Literary

"断念を突きつける"

— To confront someone with the reality that they must give up.

現実は彼に断念を突きつけた。

Dramatic

Easily Confused

断念する vs 撤退する (Tettai suru)

Both involve stopping an activity.

Tettai specifically means to 'withdraw' from a physical location or market. Dannen is the 'decision' to stop the goal.

海外市場から撤退することを断念した（Decided not to withdraw vs. Decided to give up the market）.

断念する vs 辞退する (Jitai suru)

Both involve saying 'no' to something.

Jitai is specifically for turning down an offer or prize. Dannen is for stopping your own plan.

賞を辞退する (Refuse the award) vs. 優勝を断念する (Give up on winning).

断念する vs 見送る (Miokuru)

Both involve not doing something.

Miokuru often implies a temporary delay ('not now'). Dannen is final ('never').

採用を見送る (Pass on hiring now) vs. 採用を断念する (Stop trying to hire).

断念する vs 妥協する (Dakyo suru)

Both involve not getting exactly what you wanted.

Dakyo means to compromise and take a middle ground. Dannen means to stop entirely.

安いプランで妥協する vs. 旅行を断念する。

断念する vs 挫折する (Zasetsu suru)

Both involve a failure to reach a goal.

Zasetsu implies a breakdown or being crushed by failure midway. Dannen is the decision to stop.

挫折を味わい、夢を断念した (Tasted failure and gave up the dream).

Sentence Patterns

[Noun] を断念しました。

旅行を断念しました。

[Verb-u] のを断念する。

買うのを断念する。

[Reason] のため、[Noun] を断念せざるを得ない。

雨のため、登山を断念せざるを得ない。

[Noun] を潔く断念する。

負けを認め、計画を潔く断念する。

[Noun] の [Noun] を断念するに至る。

法案の提出を断念するに至る。

[Abstract Noun] への執着を断念する。

権力への執着を断念する。

[Noun] を断念する意向を固める。

立候補を断念する意向を固めた。

[Noun] の断念を余儀なくされる。

開催の断念を余儀なくされた。

Word Family

Nouns

断念 (Dannen) - Abandonment/Resignation

Verbs

断念する (Dannen suru) - To abandon/give up

断つ (Tatsu) - To cut off

念じる (Nenjiru) - To pray/wish

断定 (Dantei) - Conclusion

残念 (Zannen) - Regret

念願 (Nengan) - Heart's desire

How to Use It

frequency

High in written/formal Japanese, Medium in spoken Japanese.

Common Mistakes

Using it for small things like 'I gave up on eating cake'. → 諦める (Akirameru)
Dannen is too heavy and formal for trivial matters. It's for major plans or dreams.
Saying 'Kare wo dannen shita' (I gave up on him). → 諦める (Akirameru)
Dannen takes an action or plan as an object, not a person. You give up on a person's behavior using 'akirameru'.
Confusing it with 'Chushi suru' (Cancel). → 中止する (Chushi suru)
Chushi is the act of stopping an event. Dannen is the decision to give up the intention to do it.
Using 'Dannen suru' in very casual slang. → やめる (Yameru)
It sounds overly stiff and weird in a casual conversation with friends unless used ironically.
Forgetting the 'wo' particle. → 計画を断念する (Keikaku wo dannen suru)
It is a transitive verb and requires an object to be grammatically complete in most cases.

Tips

Logic vs. Emotion

Use 'dannen' when the reason for giving up is logical or external (no money, bad weather). Use 'akirameru' when the reason is emotional (losing hope, getting tired).

Nominalizing Verbs

If you want to say 'give up *doing* something', remember to add 'no' or 'koto' after the verb. Example: 'Iku no wo dannen suru' (Give up on going).

Business Writing

In professional emails, 'dannen' is the preferred word for cancelling a proposed project. It sounds more professional than 'yameru'.

Kanji Meaning

Think of the kanji: 'Cut' + 'Thought'. You are literally cutting the thought of the goal out of your mind.

Graceful Resignation

Pair it with 'isagiyoku' (gracefully) to show that you are accepting defeat like a true professional.

News Watching

Watch NHK news to see this word in action. It appears almost daily in political or economic segments.

The 'Dan' Rule

Associate 'Dan' with 'Danger'. If there is danger (like a storm), you must 'dannen' your mountain climb.

Avoid Repetition

In an essay, if you've already used 'akirameru', switch to 'dannen suru' to show off your vocabulary range.

Social Harmony

Understand that 'dannen' is often used to maintain harmony by showing that a project was stopped for valid, objective reasons.

Double 'N' Sound

Listen for the distinct double 'n' in the middle: da-N-Nen. It's a long 'n' sound.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'DAN' as 'DONE'. When you are 'DAN-nen', you are DONE with your thoughts (NEN) about that project. You cut them off.

Visual Association

Imagine a person holding a pair of large scissors (representing 'Dan') and cutting a string that is tied to a cloud with a picture of a dream inside (representing 'Nen').

Word Web

計画 (Plan) 夢 (Dream) 中止 (Cancel) 諦める (Give up) 断つ (Cut) 念 (Thought) 失敗 (Failure) 決断 (Decision)

Challenge

Try to write three sentences about a major world event that was 'dannen shita' (like a cancelled Olympics or a space mission) using the formal 'no tame' structure.

Word Origin

This word is a Sino-Japanese compound (kango). 'Dan' (断) comes from Middle Chinese /tuanX/ meaning to cut or decide. 'Nen' (念) comes from /nemX/ meaning thought or memory.

Original meaning: To cut off one's attachment or thoughts about something.

Japonic (Sino-Japanese vocabulary layer).

Cultural Context

Be careful when using this for people's personal failures; it can sound very cold and final.

English speakers often use 'give up' for everything. They should be careful to use 'abandon' or 'relinquish' to match the weight of 'dannen'.

The movie 'The Wind Rises' (Kaze Tachinu) features themes of pursuing dreams and having to abandon them due to war/illness. Historical accounts of the 'Battleship Yamato' often use 'dannen' regarding the defense of the ship. Modern news about the 'Linear Shinkansen' project often uses 'dannen' regarding specific construction deadlines.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Weather affecting plans

悪天候のため断念
台風の接近で断念
安全を考慮して断念
登頂を断念

Business failure

採算が取れず断念
資金不足で断念
交渉決裂により断念
新規事業を断念

Sports injuries

怪我で出場を断念
今シーズンを断念
リハビリのため断念
無念の断念

Government/Politics

法案の提出を断念
増税を断念
立候補を断念
世論の反対で断念

Personal Dreams

夢を断念する
留学を断念する
進学を断念する
結婚を断念する

Conversation Starters

"今まで、大きな夢を断念したことはありますか？ (Have you ever abandoned a big dream?)"

"天気のせいで旅行を断念した経験は？ (Any experience of giving up a trip due to weather?)"

"ビジネスで計画を断念する基準は何だと思いますか？ (What do you think is the criteria for abandoning a plan in business?)"

"「諦める」と「断念する」の違いを説明できますか？ (Can you explain the difference between 'akirameru' and 'dannen suru'?)"

"最近、政府が断念したニュースを知っていますか？ (Do you know any recent news about the government abandoning something?)"

Journal Prompts

過去に断念した計画について、その理由と今の気持ちを書いてください。 (Write about a plan you abandoned in the past, the reason, and how you feel now.)

もし資金が無限にあったら、断念したことをもう一度やりたいですか？ (If you had infinite funds, would you want to try what you abandoned again?)

「潔く断念する」という考え方について、あなたの意見を述べてください。 (State your opinion on the idea of 'giving up gracefully'.)

仕事でプロジェクトを断念せざるを得なくなった時、どう対処しますか？ (How do you handle it when you have to abandon a project at work?)

夢を断念した友人に、どのような言葉をかけますか？ (What words would you say to a friend who gave up on their dream?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Not exactly. While both mean 'give up', 'dannen suru' is much more formal and objective. You use it for big plans or projects, whereas 'akirameru' can be used for feelings or small things like giving up on a puzzle. 'Dannen' sounds like an official decision.

Usually no. You don't 'dannen' a person. You 'akirameru' (give up hope on) a person. 'Dannen' is for plans, goals, and actions.

It is most common in news about the cancellation of events (like festivals or sports matches) or the scrapping of government projects due to lack of money or public opposition.

You should use the phrase '断念せざるを得ない' (dannen se-zaru-o-enai). This is a common and very formal way to express that circumstances have forced your hand.

Yes, it often carries a weight of disappointment or resignation. However, in a business context, it can also sound logical and responsible, showing that you've made a tough but necessary decision.

It's a bit heavy for children. They would usually say 'yameru' or 'akirameru'. If a child used 'dannen suru', it would sound like they were imitating a news reporter or being very dramatic.

The opposite would be 'keikaku wo keizoku suru' (continue the plan) or 'yume wo oitsuzukeru' (keep chasing the dream). It's the act of not giving up.

Yes, '断念' (dannen) is the noun. You can say 'keikaku no dannen' (the abandonment of the plan).

It is written as 断 (cut) and 念 (thought). Be careful with the 13 strokes of 断 and the 8 strokes of 念.

Very often! Athletes 'dannen' their participation in a match if they get injured. It emphasizes how much they wanted to play but simply couldn't.