Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| decepcionar | /deθebθjoˈnaɾ/ /desebsjoˈnaɾ/ |
| desilusionar | /desilusjoˈnaɾ/ |
| defraudar | /defɾauˈdaɾ/ |
| quedar mal ante | /kedaɾ mal ante/ (from spelling rules) |
The verb is used when someone or something fails to meet expectations, underperforms or causes displeasure. For example, the phrase Sumamente decepcionado/a can be used as an intensifier to mean 'extremely disappointed'.
Which one should you use?
While decepcionar is the general term for disappointment, desilusionar specifically implies the loss of an illusion or a broken dream or ideal. Defraudar is used when someone fails to meet a specific expectation or trust, similar to the English 'to let down'. Finally, quedar mal ante is used when the disappointment results in a loss of social standing or a bad reputation in the eyes of others.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using decepcionar with a person as a direct object, you must use the personal 'a' before the person, such as in decepcionar a mi hermano.
How do you pronounce it?
/deθebθjoˈnaɾ/
Did you know?
- In some contexts, defraudar is used specifically for financial disappointments, such as when someone commits tax fraud.
- The word quedar in the phrase quedar mal ante is a cognate of the English words 'quit' and 'quiet'.
- While decepcionar and desilusionar both mean to disappoint, desilusionar literally describes the act of removing an illusion from someone.
Examples in context
- Sentiría defraudar a Tom.I'd hate to disappoint Tom.This sentence shows how to use defraudar to express the feeling of letting someone down.Tatoeba #5714277 by arh, translation #5700081 by CK
- No quiero decepcionar a mis padres.I don't want to disappoint my parents.This sentence demonstrates how to use decepcionar with a person as a direct object.Tatoeba #2921252 by hayastan, translation #2677065 by Hybrid
- Él no quería decepcionar a su padre.He didn't want to disappoint his father.This sentence shows the use of decepcionar.Tatoeba #1945362 by marcelostockle, translation #1934822 by Spamster
- Estoy decepcionado/a con los resultados de la reunión.I am disappointed with the meeting's outcomes.
- Siento decepción por la falta de cumplimiento de sus promesas.I feel disappointment due to the lack of fulfillment of their promises.
- 15 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Mateo are talking about a project at school.
- LucíaTengo miedo de decepcionar al profesor con mi trabajo.I'm afraid of disappointing the teacher with my work.
- MateoNo te preocupes, Lucía, lo has hecho muy bien.Don't worry, Lucía, you've done it very well.
- LucíaEspero que no sea así.I hope that's not the case.
- MateoEstoy seguro de que no vas a decepcionar a nadie.I am sure you are not going to disappoint anyone.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “disappoint” translations and entries decepcionar, desilusionar, defraudar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ante, decepcionar, mal, quedar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
