Inklingo

How to Say "to disappoint" in Spanish

English → Spanish

decepcionar

/deh-sep-syoh-nahr//desepsjoˈnaɾ/

verbB1general
Use 'decepcionar' when you have failed to meet someone's expectations or hopes, causing them to feel let down.
A sad child looking at a very small scoop of ice cream on a cone when they expected a large one.

Examples

No quiero decepcionar a mis padres con mis notas.

I don't want to disappoint my parents with my grades.

La película me decepcionó un poco; esperaba más acción.

The movie disappointed me a bit; I was expecting more action.

Espero que los resultados no nos decepcionen.

I hope the results don't let us down.

Using the Direct Object

In Spanish, this word usually acts directly on a person. If you are disappointing 'him' or 'her', you use the words 'lo', 'la', or 'le' before the verb (e.g., 'Lo decepcioné' - I disappointed him).

Regular Patterns

This verb is perfectly regular. This means it follows the exact same pattern as 'hablar' or 'cantar' in every single tense.

The 'False Friend' Trap

Mistake: “Using 'decepcionar' to mean 'to deceive' (trick/lie).”

Correction: Use 'engañar' if you want to say someone told a lie or tricked you. 'Decepcionar' is only about being let down.

Confusion with 'Deception'

Mistake: “Pensé que el truco de magia era una decepción.”

Correction: Pensé que el truco de magia era un engaño. 'Decepción' is the feeling of disappointment, not a trick or a lie.

defraudar

/deh-frou-DAHR//defɾauˈðaɾ/

verbB1general
Use 'defraudar' when you have failed to fulfill a promise or commitment, essentially letting someone down in a more tangible way.
A sad child looking at a small, plain cupcake when they expected a large, decorated cake.

Examples

No te voy a defraudar, lo prometo.

I'm not going to let you down, I promise.

Siento que defraudé a mis padres con mis notas.

I feel like I let my parents down with my grades.

La nueva película defraudó a muchos fans de la saga.

The new movie disappointed many fans of the series.

The Personal 'a'

When you are disappointing a specific person, you must use the word 'a' before their name. For example: 'No quiero defraudar a María' (I don't want to disappoint Maria).

Regular Verb Pattern

This verb is perfectly regular. It follows the exact same pattern as the verb 'hablar,' so once you know the -ar rules, you can conjugate this easily!

Confusing with 'Deceive'

Mistake: “Using 'defraudar' for a simple lie.”

Correction: Use 'engañar' for lying or tricking. Use 'defraudar' when the focus is on the emotional let-down or failing a standard.

Decepcionar vs. Defraudar

Learners often confuse 'decepcionar' and 'defraudar' because both mean to let someone down. The key difference is that 'defraudar' often implies a breach of trust or a failure to fulfill a specific promise, while 'decepcionar' is more general disappointment.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.