Inklingo

How to Say "disappointed" in Spanish

English → Spanish

decepcionado

/deh-sep-syoh-nah-doh//desepθjoˈnaðo/

adjectiveA2general
Use this word when you feel let down or have unmet expectations regarding a person, situation, or outcome.
A sad child looking down at a dropped ice cream cone on the ground.

Examples

Estoy decepcionado con el resultado del examen.

I am disappointed with the exam result.

Ella se siente decepcionada porque sus amigos no vinieron.

She feels disappointed because her friends didn't come.

No quiero que te sientas decepcionado si las cosas no salen bien.

I don't want you to feel disappointed if things don't go well.

Matching the Person

This word changes its ending based on who you are talking about. Use 'decepcionado' for a man and 'decepcionada' for a woman.

Temporary Feelings

Because disappointment is a feeling or a state of mind, you should use it with the verb 'estar' (to be) or 'sentirse' (to feel), but never 'ser'.

False Friend Alert

Mistake: “Using 'decepcionado' to mean 'deceived'.”

Correction: In Spanish, 'decepcionado' only means disappointed. If someone lied to you, use 'engañado' (deceived).

Wrong 'To Be' Verb

Mistake: “Soy decepcionado.”

Correction: Estoy decepcionado. Use 'estar' because feelings are not permanent personality traits.

frustrado

/froos-TRAH-doh//fɾusˈtɾaðo/

adjectiveA2general
Choose this word when you feel annoyed or discouraged because you are unable to achieve something or make progress.
A child sitting on the floor looking at a complex wooden puzzle they cannot solve, with a slight frown and hands on their head.

Examples

Me siento un poco frustrado con mi progreso en español.

I feel a bit frustrated with my progress in Spanish.

Juan está frustrado porque su coche no arranca.

Juan is frustrated because his car won't start.

Muchos artistas se sienten frustrados cuando no tienen inspiración.

Many artists feel frustrated when they lack inspiration.

Using 'Estar' vs 'Ser'

Use 'estar' because you are describing a temporary feeling or a current state, not a permanent personality trait.

Matching Gender and Number

The word must change to match the person: use 'frustrada' for a woman, 'frustrados' for a group of men, and 'frustradas' for a group of women.

Confusing 'frustrado' with 'frustrante'

Mistake: “El examen es muy frustrado.”

Correction: El examen es muy frustrante. Use 'frustrado' for the person feeling it and 'frustrante' for the thing causing the feeling.

Decepcionado vs. Frustrado

Learners often confuse 'decepcionado' and 'frustrado'. Remember that 'decepcionado' is about unmet expectations or feeling let down, while 'frustrado' specifically relates to being blocked or unable to make progress on a task or goal.

Related Translations

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