Translation and Meaning of: 失望 - shitsubou

The Japanese word 失望[しつぼう] carries significant emotional weight, representing a deep feeling of disappointment or frustration. If you are learning Japanese or just interested in the culture of the country, understanding the meaning and use of this expression can enrich your vocabulary and comprehension of the nuances of the language. In this article, we will explore everything from the origin of the term to its cultural context, including practical examples and tips for memorization.

In addition to unraveling the meaning of 失望, let's analyze how it is perceived in Japan, its frequency in everyday life, and even how it appears in media such as animes and dramas. If you've ever felt disappointed, this word will certainly resonate with you. Shall we begin?

Meaning and origin of 失望 [しつぼう]

Disappointment is composed of two kanjis: 失 (loss, failure) and 望 (hope, desire). Together, they convey the idea of "loss of hope" or "disillusion." This combination is not random—it precisely reflects what the word means: the feeling that something or someone has not met expectations.

The term is used in both everyday situations and deeper contexts, such as personal or professional disappointments. Unlike simple fleeting frustrations, 失望 carries a more intense connotation, often linked to expectations that have been completely shattered.

How and when to use 失望 in Japanese

Disappointment often appears in serious conversations, discussions about relationships, or even in critiques of public policies. For example, a Japanese person might say "彼の態度には失望した" (I was disappointed with his attitude) to express a clear and direct disappointment.

It is worth noting that, although it is a common word, it is not used lightly. In Japan, where communication often favors indirectness, 失望 (shitsubou) arises when disappointment is large enough to be named outright. This makes it more frequent in formal writing or in situations where emotion needs to be explicitly expressed.

Tips for memorizing and curiosities about 失望 (shitsubou)

An effective way to memorize 失望 is to associate it with real situations. Think of moments when you felt a deep disappointment—this will help create an emotional link with the term. Another tip is to remember the structure of the kanji: the "loss" (失) of "hope" (望).

Interestingly, 失望 does not have any regional or dialectal pronunciation differences—it is always read as しつぼう throughout Japan. Moreover, it rarely appears in proverbs or idiomatic expressions, remaining a straightforward and self-explanatory word. Its use in animes and dramas often marks scenes of great emotional impact, which can be helpful for those learning through immersion in Japanese media.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 落胆 (rakutan) - Discouragement, sadness from a disappointment.
• 失望感 (shitsuboukan) - Feeling of disappointment.
• 失望する (shitsubou suru) - To be disappointed.
• 失望した (shitsubou shita) - Felt disappointed.
• がっかり (gakkari) - Disappointment, to be disappointed.
• がっかりする (gakkari suru) - To feel disappointed.
• がっかりした (gakkari shita) - He was disappointed.
• 期待外れ (kitaihazure) - Unmet expectation.
• 期待はずれ (kitaihazure) - Unfulfilled expectation, similar to 期待外れ.
• 期待外れた (kitaihazureta) - Did not meet expectations, in a past manner.
• 期待はずれた (kitaihazureta) - Did not meet expectations, in a way that resembles 期待外れた.

失望

Romaji: shitsubou
Kana: しつぼう
Type: Noun
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: disappointment; despair

Meaning in English: disappointment;despair

Definition: Feeling disappointed when something you were expecting doesn't come true.

Example Sentences - (失望) shitsubou

See below some example sentences:

私は失望しました。

Watashi wa shitsubou shimashita

I was disappointed.

I was disappointed.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 失望 (shitsubou) - noun that means "disappointment"
• しました (shimashita) - verb in the past that indicates a completed action, in this case "I was disappointed"