Inklingo

How to Say "let down" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “let down” is “decepcionado” — use 'decepcionado' when you want to express a feeling of sadness or disappointment because someone or something did not meet your expectations.

English → Spanish

decepcionado

deh-sep-syoh-nah-dohdesepθjoˈnaðo

adjectiveA2informal
Use 'decepcionado' when you want to express a feeling of sadness or disappointment because someone or something did not meet your expectations.
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.

traicionó

verbB1
Use 'traicionó' (the past tense of 'traicionar') when someone has broken your trust or acted disloyally.

Examples

Él traicionó la confianza de su mejor amigo.

He betrayed his best friend's trust.

Decepcionado vs. Traicionó

Learners often confuse 'decepcionado' (disappointed) with 'traicionó' (betrayed). Remember that 'decepcionado' refers to unmet expectations, while 'traicionó' implies a more serious breach of trust or loyalty.

Related Translations

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