How to say "desperate" in Japanese

• 必死ひっしJLPT N3approx.Common
  na-adjective, no-adjectiveCovers 'desperate' as frantic, all-out effort: a desperate attempt, struggle, or search. It characterizes the strained manner of the action itself, as in desperately trying to finish in time or find a way out.
  その奴隷どれいは必死ひっしに逃にげた。↗

  The slave ran for his life.
• 躍起やっきCommon
  na-adjective, nounCovers 'desperate' as worked-up eagerness: being desperate to do or get something. It suggests agitated, excited keenness — someone desperate to be noticed or to win another over — rather than strained physical effort.
  ますます多おおくの人ひとが、その媒体ばいたいの双方向そうほうこう的てきな性質せいしつを利用りようしようと躍起やっきになっている。↗

  More and more people are rushing to make use of the interactive nature of the medium.

Use 必死 for the desperate, frantic intensity of an action or effort, and 躍起 for being desperate or worked up to do or obtain something — agitated eagerness rather than strained striving.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 必死ひっしfrantic
• 躍起やっきdesperate
• 捨て鉢すてばちdesperate
• デスパレートdesperate
• 絶望的ぜつぼうてきdesperate
• 身も世もないみもよもないheartrending
• 身も世もあらぬみもよもあらぬheartrending
• ひたぶるdetermined
• 血みどろちみどろdesperate