(ひかんしゅぎ)

ひかんしゅぎ
noun
pessimism
1. pessimism; a pessimistic outlook
The tendency to see the worst aspect of things or believe that the worst will happen. Also used as a philosophical term for the doctrine that the world is fundamentally bad or that evil outweighs good.
悲観主義(ひかんしゅぎ)(おちい)る。
To fall into pessimism.
(かれ)悲観主義(ひかんしゅぎ)周囲(しゅうい)にも影響(えいきょう)(あた)える。
His pessimism affects those around him too.
過度(かど)悲観主義(ひかんしゅぎ)問題(もんだい)解決(かいけつ)(さまた)げることがある。
Excessive pessimism can hinder the resolution of problems.

Composed of 悲観(ひかん) (pessimism, taking a gloomy view) and 主義(しゅぎ) (principle, -ism). Refers both to the everyday tendency toward negative thinking and to the philosophical doctrine of pessimism.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 悲観主義(ひかんしゅぎ)(おちい)る: to fall into pessimism
  • 悲観主義(ひかんしゅぎ)(てき)(かんが)え: pessimistic thinking
  • 悲観主義(ひかんしゅぎ)克服(こくふく)する: to overcome pessimism

RELATED TERMS:

  • 悲観主義者(ひかんしゅぎしゃ): pessimist (the person)
  • 楽観主義(らっかんしゅぎ): optimism — the opposite concept
  • 悲観(ひかん): pessimism / taking a gloomy view — the base word without the -ism suffix

NOTE:
In Japanese, 悲観(ひかん) alone is more commonly used in everyday speech. 悲観主義(ひかんしゅぎ) tends to appear in more formal or philosophical discussions.