Verb
/desepeˈɾaɾ/
"Desesperar" is a verb used primarily to indicate a state of extreme distress, anxiety, or loss of hope (to despair) or the action of making someone extremely frustrated or nervous (to exasperate). In the Spanish language, it is utilized in both oral and written forms, with a tendency to appear frequently in written contexts such as literature, journalism, and everyday conversations.
La situación económica puede hacer que muchos se desesperen.
(The economic situation can make many people despair.)
No quiero desesperarte, pero necesitamos una respuesta pronto.
(I don’t want to exasperate you, but we need an answer soon.)
Se desesperó al no encontrar su cartera.
(He despaired upon not finding his wallet.)
"Desesperar" is incorporated into several idiomatic expressions in Spanish, often reflecting a heightened emotional state or a reaction to challenging situations.
Estar al borde de la desesperación
(To be on the brink of despair)
Example: Después de meses buscando trabajo, estoy al borde de la desesperación.
(After months of job searching, I am on the brink of despair.)
Desesperar por algo
(To despair for something)
Example: Ella desespera por el amor que nunca llega.
(She despairs for the love that never comes.)
Desesperarse por la situación
(To despair over the situation)
Example: Nos desesperamos por la situación del medio ambiente.
(We despair over the environmental situation.)
Desesperar a alguien
(To drive someone to despair)
Example: Las constantes quejas de su jefe lo desesperaban.
(His boss’s constant complaints drove him to despair.)
The word "desesperar" derives from the Latin "desperare," which means "to be without hope." It combines "de-" meaning "without" and "sperare," meaning "to hope." The prefix "de-" indicates a negation or reversal.