Translation and Meaning of: 悲観 - hikan

The Japanese word 「悲観」 (hikan) is composed of two kanji: 「悲」 and 「観」。 The first, 「悲」 (hi), means sadness or sorrow and can be found in other Japanese words that involve feelings of sadness. The second kanji, 「観」 (kan), refers to view, perspective, or way of seeing. Thus, the combination of the two kanji forms the concept of "pessimistic view" or "negative perspective," leading to the interpretation of the word as "pessimism" or "pessimistic view of things."

In the etymology of the word, 「悲」 is derived from the radical that represents human emotion and sensitivity, while 「観」 is related to observation or perception. This combination depicts a mental or emotional state where the person tends to observe circumstances in a negative light, expecting the worst or believing that events will not have a favorable outcome.

The origin of the use of 「悲観」 in the Japanese language is linked to philosophy and psychology, where the term is used to describe a state of mind or a personality trait. People who are described as 「悲観的」 (hikanteki) are often seen as those who have difficulty seeing the positive side of things and who anticipate unfavorable outcomes. The term is often contrasted with 「楽観」 (rakkan), which means optimism.

In addition to its philosophical and psychological use, 「悲観」 is also commonly applied in more everyday contexts in Japan, such as in the assessment of economic, political, or social situations where a pessimistic outlook can influence discussions and proposed actions to solve problems. Thus, hikan not only reflects a personal state but can also impact societal decisions and collective attitudes.

Vocabulary

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Synonyms and similar words

• 悲観的 (Hikan-teki) - Pessimist
• 悲観的な (Hikan-teki na) - A pessimistic approach
• 暗視 (Anshi) - Night vision
• 暗視的 (Anshiteki) - Regarding night vision
• 暗視的な (Anshiteki na) - A perspective related to night vision
• 暗澹 (Andan) - Gloomy, dark
• 暗澹たる (Andan taru) - Extremely dark
• 暗澹とした (Andan toshita) - It is characterized as gloomy.
• 暗澹な (Andan na) - Of dark nature
• 暗澹なる (Andan naru) - It becomes gloomy.
• 暗澹たるもの (Andan taru mono) - Extremely dark thing
• 暗澹としたもの (Andan toshita mono) - Thing that is gloomy
• 暗澹なもの (Andan na mono) - Thing of a dark nature
• 暗澹なるもの (Andan naru mono) - Thing that becomes dark
• 暗澹たる思い (Andan taru omoi) - Extremely dark sentiment
• 暗澹とした思い (Andan toshita omoi) - Feeling that is dark
• 暗澹な思い (Andan na omoi) - Dark nature feeling
• 暗澹なる思い (Andan naru omoi) - Feeling that becomes dark