frustrado
“frustrado” means “frustrated” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
frustrated
Also: disappointed
📝 In Action
Me siento un poco frustrado con mi progreso en español.
A2I feel a bit frustrated with my progress in Spanish.
Juan está frustrado porque su coche no arranca.
B1Juan is frustrated because his car won't start.
Muchos artistas se sienten frustrados cuando no tienen inspiración.
B2Many artists feel frustrated when they lack inspiration.
foiled
Also: thwarted, failed
📝 In Action
La policía detuvo un robo frustrado esta mañana.
B2The police stopped a foiled robbery this morning.
Su intento frustrado de escapar fue noticia nacional.
C1His failed attempt to escape was national news.
Fue un proyecto frustrado por falta de fondos.
C1It was a project thwarted by a lack of funds.
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: frustrado
Question 1 of 3
Which sentence describes someone feeling upset?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin word 'frustrari', which means 'to deceive' or 'to make something be in vain.' It comes from 'frustra', meaning 'in error' or 'for nothing'.
First recorded: 15th century
Cognates (Related words)
💡 Master Spanish
Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I use 'ser' or 'estar' with frustrado?
Always use 'estar' when talking about people's feelings. Only use 'ser' if you are describing a permanent character trait of someone who is always unsuccessful (though this is rare; 'un fracasado' is more common for that).
What is the difference between 'frustrado' and 'fracasado'?
'Frustrado' usually means you feel disappointed or a specific plan failed. 'Fracasado' is much harsher and usually describes a person who is a 'failure' or a 'loser'.
How do I say 'a failed attempt'?
You say 'un intento frustrado'. The adjective comes after the noun 'intento'.