Inklingo

How to Say "discouraged" in Spanish

English → Spanish

abatido

/ah-bah-TEE-doh//a.βaˈti.ðo/

adjectiveB1general
Use 'abatido' when someone feels dejected or disheartened, usually due to a specific negative event or outcome.
A sad small person sitting on a park bench with shoulders slumped and head down.

Examples

Se sentía abatido después de recibir las malas noticias.

He felt dejected after receiving the bad news.

Caminaba con la mirada abatida y los hombros caídos.

He walked with a downcast gaze and slumped shoulders.

El equipo regresó abatido tras la derrota en la final.

The team returned discouraged after the loss in the final.

Using 'Estar' for Moods

Use 'estar' with 'abatido' when describing how someone feels right now, as it describes a temporary emotional state.

Matching Gender

Remember to change the ending to 'abatida' if you are describing a woman or a feminine noun.

Abatido vs. Cansado

Mistake: “Using 'abatido' to mean just 'sleepy'.”

Correction: Use 'abatido' for deep emotional sadness or total exhaustion, not just being ready for bed.

desmayado

/des-mah-YAH-doh//desmaˈʝaðo/

adjectiveB2general
Use 'desmayado' when the feeling of being discouraged is accompanied by a significant lack of energy or physical weakness, often due to external factors like heat or illness.
A sad character sitting on a park bench with slumped shoulders and a hanging head, looking discouraged.

Examples

Se siente desmayado por el calor y el hambre.

He feels weak from the heat and hunger.

No te quedes desmayado ante las dificultades.

Don't get discouraged in the face of difficulties.

Figurative Use

In literature or formal speech, you can use this word to describe a soul or spirit that has 'lost its strength' or is 'faint-hearted'.

Abatido vs. Desmayado

Learners often confuse 'abatido' and 'desmayado' because both relate to feeling down. Remember that 'desmayado' implies a stronger physical component of weakness or fainting, whereas 'abatido' focuses more on emotional dejection.

Related Translations

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