في 15 ثانية
- Used when reality fails to meet your high expectations.
- Combines 'sein' with the adjective 'enttäuscht' for various situations.
- Literally means 'to be un-deceived' or to see the truth.
المعنى
This phrase describes the feeling when your expectations don't match reality. It is like having a bubble burst and suddenly seeing the truth of a situation.
أمثلة رئيسية
3 من 6At a restaurant with bad food
Ich bin von diesem Schnitzel wirklich enttäuscht.
I am really disappointed by this schnitzel.
A friend cancels plans last minute
Ich bin enttäuscht, dass du heute nicht kommen kannst.
I am disappointed that you cannot come today.
In a professional meeting about low sales
Wir sind über die aktuellen Verkaufszahlen enttäuscht.
We are disappointed about the current sales figures.
خلفية ثقافية
Germans value 'Kritikfähigkeit' (the ability to take criticism). Expressing disappointment is often seen as a sign of respect—it means you expected more from the person because you value them. In Austria, disappointment might be expressed more indirectly or with a touch of 'Schmäh' (sarcastic humor). You might hear 'Na geh, das war jetzt aber nix' before someone admits they are 'enttäuscht'. Swiss German speakers might use 'enttüscht' in dialect. The culture tends to be more reserved, so 'enttäuscht sein' is a strong statement that carries significant weight. In business contexts worldwide, German 'Enttäuschung' is often misunderstood as anger. It is important to realize it is an emotional state, not necessarily a personal attack.
The 'Von' vs 'Über' Hack
If you can touch it (person, book, pizza), use 'von'. If you can only think about it (news, weather, result), use 'über'.
Don't use 'mit'
English speakers always want to say 'enttäuscht mit'. This sounds very foreign to Germans. Stick to 'von'!
في 15 ثانية
- Used when reality fails to meet your high expectations.
- Combines 'sein' with the adjective 'enttäuscht' for various situations.
- Literally means 'to be un-deceived' or to see the truth.
What It Means
Imagine you are waiting for a giant chocolate cake. You open the box and find a single, dry cracker. That sinking feeling in your stomach is enttäuscht sein. In German, it literally means being 'un-deceived'. It is the moment you stop believing a lie or a false hope. You are finally seeing things as they really are. It is not just being sad. It is about the gap between what you wanted and what you got.
How To Use It
You use this phrase just like 'to be disappointed' in English. You combine the verb sein (to be) with the adjective enttäuscht. If you are disappointed in a person or a thing, use von. For example, Ich bin von dem Film enttäuscht. If you are disappointed about a situation or an event, use über. For example, Ich bin über das Ergebnis enttäuscht. It is a very flexible phrase for daily life.
When To Use It
Use it when the pizza arrives cold. Use it when your favorite team loses the final match. It is perfect for telling a friend they let you down. You can use it in professional settings too. If a project fails, you might say you are enttäuscht. It sounds honest and clear. It is great for texting when a plan falls through at the last minute.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it for tiny, annoying things. If the bus is two minutes late, you are genervt (annoyed), not enttäuscht. Enttäuscht implies a deeper expectation was broken. Also, avoid using it if you are actually angry. If you want to yell, sauer (angry) is a better choice. Enttäuscht is quieter and more emotional. It focuses on your feelings, not the other person's mistake.
Cultural Background
Germans value honesty and directness. The word enttäuscht reflects this perfectly. Since it comes from täuschen (to deceive), being disappointed is seen as a 'moment of truth'. You are no longer under an illusion. In German culture, expressing disappointment is often seen as more constructive than getting angry. It shows you had high standards. It invites the other person to do better next time.
Common Variations
You can add adverbs to show how much it hurts. Ich bin schwer enttäuscht means you are heavily disappointed. If you are just a little let down, say Ich bin ein bisschen enttäuscht. You might also hear Das ist enttäuschend, which means 'That is disappointing'. Use tief enttäuscht for those really big life moments. It sounds very dramatic and serious.
ملاحظات الاستخدام
This phrase is neutral and works in almost any setting. Just remember the preposition 'von' for people and 'über' for things/events to avoid common grammar mistakes.
The 'Von' vs 'Über' Hack
If you can touch it (person, book, pizza), use 'von'. If you can only think about it (news, weather, result), use 'über'.
Don't use 'mit'
English speakers always want to say 'enttäuscht mit'. This sounds very foreign to Germans. Stick to 'von'!
Honesty is Key
Don't be afraid to use this phrase in Germany. It's better to be 'enttäuscht' and honest than 'zufrieden' and fake.
أمثلة
6Ich bin von diesem Schnitzel wirklich enttäuscht.
I am really disappointed by this schnitzel.
Using 'von' to describe disappointment with a specific object.
Ich bin enttäuscht, dass du heute nicht kommen kannst.
I am disappointed that you cannot come today.
Using a 'dass' clause to explain the reason.
Wir sind über die aktuellen Verkaufszahlen enttäuscht.
We are disappointed about the current sales figures.
Using 'über' for a situation or factual outcome.
Der Film war okay, aber ich bin trotzdem ein bisschen enttäuscht.
The movie was okay, but I'm still a bit disappointed.
Adding 'ein bisschen' softens the statement.
Mein Hund ist enttäuscht, weil es keinen Käse gibt.
My dog is disappointed because there is no cheese.
Applying human emotions to pets for a funny effect.
Ich bin tief von deinem Verhalten enttäuscht.
I am deeply disappointed by your behavior.
Using 'tief' (deeply) adds significant emotional weight.
اختبر نفسك
Fill in the correct preposition (von or über).
Ich bin enttäuscht ___ meinem Bruder.
We use 'von' because 'mein Bruder' is a person.
Which sentence is correct?
A: Ich bin enttäuscht über das schlechte Wetter. B: Ich bin enttäuscht von das schlechte Wetter.
'Über' is used for situations like weather, and it takes the Akkusativ case (das schlechte Wetter).
Match the intensity to the phrase.
1. A little bit, 2. Very much, 3. Extremely
'Maßlos' means without measure, indicating extreme disappointment.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Wie war der neue Film? B: Nicht gut. Ich bin ___ ___ ___ Film.
For concrete objects like a film, 'von' + Dativ is the most common choice.
🎉 النتيجة: /4
وسائل تعلم بصرية
Von vs. Über
بنك التمارين
4 تمارينIch bin enttäuscht ___ meinem Bruder.
We use 'von' because 'mein Bruder' is a person.
A: Ich bin enttäuscht über das schlechte Wetter. B: Ich bin enttäuscht von das schlechte Wetter.
'Über' is used for situations like weather, and it takes the Akkusativ case (das schlechte Wetter).
طابق كل عنصر على اليسار مع زوجه على اليمين:
'Maßlos' means without measure, indicating extreme disappointment.
A: Wie war der neue Film? B: Nicht gut. Ich bin ___ ___ ___ Film.
For concrete objects like a film, 'von' + Dativ is the most common choice.
🎉 النتيجة: /4
الأسئلة الشائعة
10 أسئلةNo, that is a literal translation of 'disappointed in you'. In German, it must be 'von dir'.
It is the past participle of 'enttäuschen', but it functions as an adjective in this phrase.
The opposite is 'zufrieden sein' (to be satisfied) or 'begeistert sein' (to be thrilled).
Yes! 'Ich bin enttäuscht von der Pizza' is very common if the pizza wasn't good.
You use the active verb: 'Ich möchte dich nicht enttäuschen.'
Yes, usually. Use 'genervt' (annoyed) unless the late bus caused you to miss something very important.
It means 'extremely disappointed' or 'disappointed beyond measure'.
Rarely. You might say 'Ich bin enttäuscht über sein Verhalten' (his behavior), but for the person himself, use 'von'.
Yes, '{die|f} Enttäuschung'. For example: 'Das war eine große Enttäuschung.'
Use 'Ich bin enttäuscht (darüber), dass...'. The 'darüber' is optional but common.
عبارات ذات صلة
jemanden enttäuschen
builds onTo disappoint someone (active)
eine Enttäuschung erleben
similarTo experience a disappointment
frustriert sein
similarTo be frustrated
jemanden hängen lassen
specialized formTo let someone down
