やけ

やけ
noun
desperation; self-abandonment; reckless despair
informalemotion
1. desperation; self-abandonment; reckless despair
A self-destructive frame of mind that arises when things do not go as one hoped, leading one to give up and act without regard for the consequences.
やけになる。
Give in to despair; act out of desperation.
試験(しけん)に落(お)ちて、やけになってしまった。
I failed the exam and fell into despair.
うまくいかないからといって、やけを起(お)こしても何(なに)も解決(かいけつ)しない。
Even if things aren't going well, lashing out in desperation won't solve anything.

Usually written in kana, though the kanji form is 自棄(やけ). Describes the state of "giving up" and behaving recklessly out of frustration or hopelessness.

Common collocations

  • やけになる: to become desperate; to give up in despair
  • やけを起(お)こす: to act rashly out of despair
  • やけ酒(ざけ): drowning one's sorrows in drink
  • やけ食(ぐ)い: stress eating; binge eating out of frustration

Similar words

Related Words

Compare: 自暴自棄(じぼうじき) (self-destructive recklessness)
general
Added 2026.6.17 0:19 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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