諦める
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Base dictionary form. Ichidan verb: ends in 『る』 and keeps its stem for all conjugations.
Theme
User and their coworker Takeshi are discussing a difficult project at work and considering whether to continue or stop.
諦める
あきらめる
to give up, to abandon (plain form)
Core Language Building BlocksCore Verbs & Actions
verbICHIDAN (ru-verb)
Memory Hook
Imagine someone saying 'I give up!' while throwing their hands in the air. The sound 'akirameru' (諦める) can be linked to 'acknowledge it's over' — think 'acknowledge' → 'akirameru' → to give up.
Cultural Note
In Japanese culture, perseverance is highly valued, but 『諦める』 (akirameru, 'to give up') is sometimes seen as a practical choice in situations like exams or competitions. The phrase 『諦めが悪い』 (akirame ga warui, 'bad at giving up') describes someone who stubbornly refuses to quit, which can be both positive and negative depending on context.
Forms
Base: 諦めるBase dictionary form. Ichidan verb: ends in 『る』 and keeps its stem for all conjugations.
Polite: 諦めますDrop 『る』 (-ru) → add 『ます』 (masu, polite marker) → 『諦めます』 (akiramemasu, 'give up [polite]').
Negative: 諦めないDrop 『る』 (-ru) → add 『ない』 (nai, 'not') → 『諦めない』 (akiramenai, 'do not give up').
Past: 諦めたDrop 『る』 (-ru) → add 『た』 (ta, past marker) → 『諦めた』 (akirameta, 'gave up').
Te: 諦めてDrop 『る』 (-ru) → add 『て』 (te) → 『諦めて』 (akiramete). Used for requests and linking actions.
Volitional: 諦めようDrop 『る』 (-ru) → add 『よう』 (you, volitional) → 『諦めよう』 (akirameyou, 'let’s give up').
Conditional: 諦めればDrop 『る』 (-ru) → add 『れば』 (reba, conditional) → 『諦めれば』 (akiramereba, 'if (someone) gives up').
Potential: 諦められるAdd 『られる』 (rareru, potential) to the stem → 『諦められる』 (akiramerareru, 'can give up').
Passive: 諦められるAdd passive marker 『られる』 (rareru) → same surface form as potential; meaning depends on context.
Causative: 諦めさせるAdd causative marker 『させる』 (saseru) → 『諦めさせる』 (akiramesaseru).
Imperative: 諦めろDrop 『る』 (-ru) → add 『ろ』 (ro, command) → 『諦めろ』 (akiramero).
Progressive: 諦めているTe-form 『諦めて』 + 『いる』 (iru, continuous) → 『諦めている』 (akiramete iru, 'is giving up').