kecewa
/kəˈt͡ʃewa/
The Indonesian word for disappointed is kecewa.
kecewa is used to describe the feeling of being defeated of hope or expectation. You can use the preposition dengan to say you are disappointed with a person or a thing, or use karena to explain the reason for your disappointment. To intensify the feeling, you can use the adverbs sangat (very) or benar-benar (truly).
Meaning: defeated of hope or expectation (adj)
How does it change in a sentence?
While kecewa describes the feeling of being disappointed, the adjective mengecewakan is used to describe the person or thing that causes that disappointment.
How do you pronounce it?
/kəˈtʃewa/
Did you know?
- Indonesians often pair the feeling of kecewa with the concept of sabar, which means 'patient' or 'resigned'.
- In formal Indonesian writing, kecewa is often avoided in favor of more indirect phrases to maintain 'politeness' and 'harmony'.
- The word kecewa has its roots in Old Javanese, where the original form kuciwa meant to feel inferior or to fall short.
Examples in context
- Saya yakin tidak akan kecewa.I'm sure I won't be disappointed.This sentence shows a statement of certainty regarding not being kecewa.Tatoeba #4408834 by cassle, translation #2975717 by CK
- Aku kecewa dia tidak di sini.I'm disappointed that he's not here.This sentence illustrates expressing disappointment regarding someone's absence using kecewa.Tatoeba #7839421 by Bilmanda, translation #282989 by CK
- Aku sangat kecewa dengan Tom.I'm very disappointed in Tom.This sentence shows how to use kecewa to express being disappointed in someone.Tatoeba #10008955 by HAGNi, translation #7214856 by CK
- Saya merasa kecewa dengan hasil presentasi tersebut.I feel disappointed with the presentation's outcome.
- Sikap mereka yang malas bekerja sangat mengecewakan.Their lazy attitude is greatly disappointing.
- Gue kecewa banget sama sikapnya yang tidak kooperatif.I'm extremely disappointed with his uncooperative attitude.
- Saya benar-benar kecewa dengan sikapmu.I'm truly disappointed with your attitude.
- 16 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sari and Rian are talking about a canceled concert.
- SariKonsernya batal, aku kecewa sekali.The concert is canceled, I am so disappointed.
- RianSabar ya, Sari. Jangan sedih.Be patient, Sari. Don't be sad.
- SariTapi aku sudah menunggu lama.But I have been waiting for a long time.
- RianAku mengerti perasaanmu.I understand your feelings.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “disappointed” translations and entries kecewa, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries kecewa, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
