悲 観 主 義(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)に陥(おちい)る。

To fall into pessimism.

彼(かれ)の悲観主義(ひかんしゅぎ)は周囲(しゅうい)にも影響(えいきょう)を与(あた)える。

His pessimism affects those around him too.

過度(かど)な悲観主義(ひかんしゅぎ)は問題(もんだい)の解決(かいけつ)を妨(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)に陥(おちい)る: to fall into pessimism
悲観主義(ひかんしゅぎ)的(てき)な考(かんが)え: pessimistic thinking
悲観主義(ひかんしゅぎ)を克服(こくふく)する: to overcome pessimism

Related words

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

Usage

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.

Related Words

Antonym: 楽観主義(らっかんしゅぎ) (optimism)

general

Added 2026.4.5 6:10 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02

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