Desespere

Desespere is a Portuguese verb form derived from desesperar, meaning to despair or to cause to lose hope. In plain use, it appears as an imperative form directed at someone, though in everyday speech it is more common to encounter the negated version não desespere (“do not despair”). The standalone word is therefore most often encountered in slogans, poetry, or rhetorical contexts as an exhortation to remain hopeful.

Etymology and meaning: The verb is built from the prefix de- combined with esperar (to hope or to wait). Esperar itself traces to Latin sperare, meaning to hope. Desesperar, then, carries the sense of removing or losing hope, and desespere as its imperative form communicates a directive related to hope or despair.

Usage and contexts: Desespere is used in motivational or encouraging language, particularly in self-help materials, public health campaigns, social media, and advertising aimed at resilience and perseverance. In standard phrasing, speakers typically pair it with não (Não desespere) to clearly express “do not despair.” The form can appear in literary or lyrical contexts as a concise imperative, and it is understood across Portuguese-speaking communities with a generally positive or reassuring connotation when framed as encouragement.

See also: Desesperar, desesperança, esperança, não desespere.

Note: Desespere and its negation are primarily stylistic tools in Portuguese, and usage may vary slightly by region and register.