At the A1 level, you are just starting to express basic feelings. While 'deceção' might be a bit advanced, you can understand it as a way to say you are 'very sad' because something did not happen the way you wanted. Think of it as a stronger version of 'estou triste' (I am sad). You might see it in simple sentences like 'É uma deceção' (It is a disappointment). At this stage, focus on the fact that it is a feminine noun ('a deceção') and try to recognize it when you hear people talking about things they didn't like, such as a movie or a meal. It's a useful word to know for basic social interactions where you need to express that something wasn't as good as you expected. Remember, it's not about being tricked (that's 'engano'), it's about feeling let down. Keep your sentences short and use it with 'é' (is) or 'foi' (was). For example: 'O gelado foi uma deceção' (The ice cream was a disappointment). This helps you build the foundation for expressing more complex emotions later on.
At the A2 level, you can begin to incorporate 'deceção' into your daily vocabulary to describe personal experiences. You should be able to link it with simple verbs like 'ter' (to have) or 'sentir' (to feel). For instance, 'Eu sinto uma deceção' (I feel a disappointment). You also start to learn about the difference between European Portuguese ('deceção') and Brazilian Portuguese ('decepção'). At this level, it's important to understand that 'deceção' is often used with adjectives like 'grande' (big) or 'pequena' (small). You can use it to talk about your hobbies, work, or school. If you studied hard but got a bad grade, you can say 'Que deceção!'. This level also introduces the concept of 'false friends', so you should be careful not to use 'deceção' when you mean 'deception'. Practice using it in the past tense ('foi uma deceção') because we usually talk about disappointments after they have happened. This will help you describe your weekend or a trip you took in a more natural way.
At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'deceção' in more complex sentence structures. You can start using it with prepositions like 'com' (with) or 'por' (because of). For example, 'Estou com uma deceção com o meu carro novo' (I am disappointed with my new car). You should also be able to use the word family, such as the verb 'dececionar' (to disappoint) and the adjective 'dececionante' (disappointing). At this stage, you can explain *why* you feel disappointed using 'porque' or 'visto que'. You might say, 'A viagem foi uma deceção porque choveu todos os dias'. You are also becoming more aware of the nuances between 'deceção' and 'desilusão'. You might use 'desilusão' for more emotional or romantic contexts and 'deceção' for general situations. This level allows you to participate in discussions about your expectations and how they were or weren't met. You can also start recognizing the word in news articles or social media posts, where it is often used to critique public events or services.
At the B2 level, you can use 'deceção' to discuss abstract concepts and more nuanced emotional states. You should be able to use it in formal writing and debates. For example, you might discuss 'a deceção dos cidadãos com a política' (the disappointment of citizens with politics). You can use advanced collocations like 'levar uma deceção amarga' (to suffer a bitter disappointment) or 'causar uma profunda deceção' (to cause a deep disappointment). Your understanding of the word should extend to its placement in the sentence for emphasis. You can also use it in the plural to describe a series of events: 'As sucessivas deceções levaram-no a desistir'. At this level, you should be perfectly clear on the distinction between 'deceção' and 'engano/fraude', and you might even use 'deceção' metaphorically. You can also explore the passive voice: 'Fomos apanhados pela deceção'. Your ability to use synonyms like 'desapontamento' or 'frustração' to avoid repetition in a text is a hallmark of this level.
At the C1 level, you have a sophisticated grasp of 'deceção' and can use it in literary, academic, or highly professional contexts. You understand the historical and etymological roots of the word and how the spelling changes reflect the evolution of the Portuguese language. You can use 'deceção' to analyze complex characters in literature or to describe systemic failures in a society. You might write about 'a deceção ontológica' (ontological disappointment) or use the word in philosophical inquiries about the nature of hope and reality. You are familiar with idiomatic expressions and can use them naturally. Your vocabulary includes rare synonyms and you can distinguish the subtle emotional 'flavor' each one brings to a sentence. You can also use the word to express irony or sarcasm: 'Mais uma deceção para a coleção, que surpresa!'. In professional settings, you can use it to provide constructive but firm feedback, or to describe market trends that failed to materialize. Your usage is indistinguishable from that of a native speaker, reflecting both cultural depth and linguistic precision.
At the C2 level, 'deceção' is a tool you use with total mastery, often employing it in creative writing, poetry, or high-level rhetoric. You can play with the word's sounds and rhythms within a sentence. You understand the deepest cultural connotations of 'deceção' in the Lusophone world, including its relationship with 'Fado' and 'Saudade'. You can use the word to articulate the most complex human emotions, where disappointment intersects with grief, betrayal, or existential crisis. You are capable of using the word in archaic or highly stylized forms if necessary for a specific literary effect. Your understanding of the word is not just linguistic but also psychological; you can discuss the 'mecanismos da deceção' (mechanisms of disappointment) in a psychological or sociological treatise. You can effortlessly switch between different registers, using 'deceção' in a slangy, informal way or in a grand, oratorical style. At this level, the word is part of a vast, interconnected web of vocabulary that you navigate with ease, using it to produce nuanced, persuasive, and evocative communication in any situation.

deceção 30秒で

  • Deceção means disappointment in Portuguese, describing the sadness felt when hopes are not met.
  • It is a feminine noun (a deceção) and is a frequent false friend for English speakers.
  • In Portugal, it is spelled without a 'p', while in Brazil it is spelled 'decepção'.
  • Commonly used with verbs like 'levar', 'sentir', and 'causar' to describe personal or general letdowns.

The Portuguese word deceção is a powerful noun that describes the profound emotional state of disappointment or letdown. It is used when reality fails to meet the expectations, hopes, or dreams one has cultivated. In the context of European Portuguese, the spelling 'deceção' follows the 1990 Orthographic Agreement, which removed the silent 'p' found in the Brazilian variant 'decepção'. Understanding this word is crucial because it often serves as a false friend for English speakers who might confuse it with 'deception' (which means fraud or trickery). In Portuguese, if you want to say someone lied to you, you use 'engano' or 'fraude'; if you want to say you are sad because a movie wasn't good, you use 'deceção'.

Emotional Weight
It carries a heavier weight than a simple 'bummer'. It implies a sense of loss or a fracture in trust or expectation.
Social Context
Commonly used in personal relationships, professional setbacks, or even when discussing the outcome of a football match.

Que grande deceção foi o resultado do exame.

This word is versatile. It can describe a minor inconvenience or a life-altering realization. When a child doesn't get the toy they wanted, it is a 'deceção'. when a citizen feels betrayed by their government, it is also a 'deceção'. The intensity is usually conveyed through adjectives like 'profunda' (deep), 'amarga' (bitter), or 'enorme' (huge). In everyday conversation, you will hear it frequently in the phrase 'foi uma deceção', referring to anything from a restaurant meal to a political candidate.

A deceção amorosa é um tema comum no Fado.

Common Verbs
Used with 'levar' (to take/suffer), 'causar' (to cause), or 'sentir' (to feel).

Using deceção correctly requires understanding its grammatical role as a feminine noun. It is often preceded by the indefinite article 'uma' or the definite article 'a'. Because it describes a subjective feeling, it is frequently paired with possessive adjectives like 'minha', 'tua', or 'sua'. For example, 'A minha deceção foi imensa' (My disappointment was immense). It is also common to see it in the plural form 'deceções', referring to a series of letdowns or failures over time.

Structure: Verbo + Deceção
'Levar uma deceção' is the most idiomatic way to say 'to be disappointed' by something specific.

Ele levou uma grande deceção com o novo emprego.

When describing a person or thing as being the source of the feeling, we use the preposition 'para'. 'Tu és uma deceção para mim' (You are a disappointment to me). This is a harsh phrase often used in dramatic contexts or heated arguments. In more professional settings, you might say 'O projeto foi uma deceção em termos de resultados', which sounds more objective. Note that the word is often followed by 'com' when referring to the object of the disappointment: 'Estou com uma deceção enorme com este sistema'.

Para evitar a deceção, não cries expectativas demasiado altas.

Prepositional Use
Always use 'de' or 'com' to specify the source. 'A deceção de perder' or 'A deceção com o amigo'.

You will encounter deceção in a variety of real-world scenarios in Portugal and other Lusophone countries. In the news, particularly in sports journalism, it is used to describe a team's failure to perform as expected. If the national football team loses an easy game, the headlines will scream 'Uma Deceção Nacional!'. In political discourse, voters often express their 'deceção' with broken campaign promises. It is a staple word in political commentary and opinion pieces.

O filme prometia muito, mas acabou por ser uma deceção total.

In Literature and Music
Portuguese culture, especially through Fado, often explores themes of melancholy and 'saudade', where 'deceção' plays a central role in lyrics about lost love.

In workplace environments, a manager might use the word during a performance review: 'Houve uma certa deceção com o teu desempenho este trimestre'. This indicates a formal level of dissatisfaction. On a more personal level, friends might use it when talking about a restaurant that didn't live up to the hype: 'Fomos àquele restaurante novo, mas que deceção!'. It is also frequently found in product reviews online, where customers vent about items that didn't function as advertised.

Não escondo a minha deceção perante esta atitude.

The most frequent mistake English speakers make is the 'False Friend Trap'. Because 'deceção' sounds like 'deception', learners often use it to mean 'a lie' or 'the act of tricking someone'. This can lead to significant misunderstandings. If you say 'A sua deceção foi má', you are saying 'Your disappointment was bad', not 'Your trickery was bad'. To avoid this, always associate 'deceção' with 'disappointment' and use 'engano' or 'mentira' for 'deception'.

Spelling Errors
Learners often forget the 'ç' (cedilha) and write 'dececao', which is incorrect. The 'ç' is essential for the soft 's' sound.

Errado: Ele é uma deception (English word used in Portuguese).

Another common error involves gender agreement. Since 'deceção' ends in '-ão', some learners mistakenly assume it is masculine (like 'o pão' or 'o cão'). However, most words ending in '-ção' (derived from Latin '-tio') are feminine. Therefore, it must always be 'a deceção' or 'uma deceção', and associated adjectives must be feminine: 'uma deceção profunda', not 'um deceção profundo'. Additionally, learners sometimes confuse 'deceção' (the noun) with 'dececionado' (the adjective/past participle). You feel 'dececionado' because of a 'deceção'.

Correto: Sinto uma deceção amarga.

While deceção is a common term, Portuguese offers several synonyms that can add nuance to your speech. 'Desapontamento' is perhaps the closest synonym, though it often sounds slightly more formal or less emotionally intense than 'deceção'. 'Desilusão' is another very common alternative, specifically used when an 'illusion' or a dream is shattered. It is often used in romantic contexts.

Deceção vs. Desilusão
'Deceção' is the general feeling of letdown; 'Desilusão' is the specific loss of a false belief or hope.
Frustração
Used when you are prevented from achieving a goal. It implies more anger than 'deceção'.

A desilusão amorosa é pior que a deceção profissional.

For more extreme cases, you might use 'desgosto' (heartbreak/strong distaste) or 'amargura' (bitterness). If the disappointment is minor, you might simply say 'que pena' (what a pity) or 'que chato' (how annoying/unfortunate). In professional contexts, 'incumprimento de expetativas' (failure to meet expectations) is a more clinical way to describe the situation. Understanding these alternatives allows you to tailor your vocabulary to the specific intensity of the emotion you are trying to convey.

Senti um grande desapontamento ao ver a loja fechada.

豆知識

While the Latin root meant 'deceit', in Portuguese and other Romance languages, the meaning shifted over centuries to focus on the emotional result (disappointment) rather than the act of lying.

発音ガイド

UK /dɨ.sɛ.ˈsɐ̃w̃/
US /de.se.ˈsɐ̃w̃/
The stress is on the final syllable: de-ce-ÇÃO.
韻が合う語
coração ação canção nação atenção emoção estação lição
よくある間違い
  • Pronouncing the 'c' as a 'k' sound.
  • Forgetting the nasalization on the 'ão'.
  • Pronouncing it like the English 'deception'.
  • Making the first 'e' too long (like 'dee').
  • Ignoring the 'ç' and saying 'dececao' with a hard 'c'.

レベル別の例文

1

A comida foi uma deceção.

The food was a disappointment.

Feminine noun 'a deceção' used with the verb 'ser' in the past tense.

2

Que deceção!

What a disappointment!

Common exclamation used to express immediate letdown.

3

O filme é uma deceção.

The movie is a disappointment.

Simple Subject + Verb + Complement structure.

4

Sinto uma pequena deceção.

I feel a small disappointment.

Using 'sentir' (to feel) with the noun.

5

Não quero uma deceção.

I don't want a disappointment.

Negative sentence with the indefinite article 'uma'.

6

A festa foi uma deceção.

The party was a disappointment.

Noun phrase 'A festa' as the subject.

7

É uma grande deceção para mim.

It is a big disappointment for me.

Use of 'para mim' to indicate who is feeling the emotion.

8

O jogo foi uma deceção.

The game was a disappointment.

Typical use in sports contexts.

1

Eu tive uma deceção com o meu amigo.

I had a disappointment with my friend.

Using 'ter' (to have) to describe experiencing the feeling.

2

A notícia trouxe muita deceção.

The news brought much disappointment.

Using 'trazer' (to bring) as a transitive verb.

3

Eles levaram uma deceção no trabalho.

They suffered a disappointment at work.

Idiomatic use of 'levar uma deceção'.

4

A deceção faz parte da vida.

Disappointment is part of life.

Abstract usage of the noun as a general concept.

5

Não fiques triste com essa deceção.

Don't be sad about that disappointment.

Imperative mood 'não fiques' followed by 'com'.

6

Foi uma deceção ver a loja fechada.

It was a disappointment to see the shop closed.

Infinitive clause 'ver a loja fechada' acting as the cause.

7

A nossa deceção foi enorme.

Our disappointment was huge.

Possessive adjective 'nossa' agreeing with the feminine noun.

8

Espero que não tenhas uma deceção.

I hope you don't have a disappointment.

Subjunctive mood 'tenhas' after 'espero que'.

1

A deceção que senti foi muito profunda.

The disappointment that I felt was very deep.

Relative clause 'que senti' identifying the noun.

2

Para evitar a deceção, baixei as minhas expectativas.

To avoid disappointment, I lowered my expectations.

Purpose clause with 'para' followed by the infinitive.

3

O resultado do projeto causou uma deceção geral.

The project result caused general disappointment.

Adjective 'geral' modifying the noun.

4

Apesar da deceção, ele continuou a tentar.

Despite the disappointment, he continued to try.

Concessive preposition 'apesar de'.

5

Ela não conseguiu esconder a sua deceção.

She couldn't hide her disappointment.

Negative 'não conseguiu' with the infinitive 'esconder'.

6

Esta é a maior deceção da minha carreira.

This is the biggest disappointment of my career.

Superlative 'a maior' modifying the noun.

7

Muitas pessoas partilham a mesma deceção.

Many people share the same disappointment.

Verb 'partilhar' (to share) used with the noun.

8

A deceção transformou-se em raiva.

The disappointment turned into anger.

Pronominal verb 'transformar-se em'.

1

A deceção é o preço que pagamos pela esperança.

Disappointment is the price we pay for hope.

Philosophical usage with a metaphorical structure.

2

O relatório detalha a deceção dos investidores.

The report details the disappointment of the investors.

Formal register using 'detalha' and 'investidores'.

3

Foi uma deceção amarga que custou a esquecer.

It was a bitter disappointment that was hard to forget.

Adjective 'amarga' adds emotional intensity.

4

Lidar com a deceção requer maturidade emocional.

Dealing with disappointment requires emotional maturity.

Gerund-like infinitive 'Lidar' as the subject.

5

A deceção perante o sistema é visível nas ruas.

The disappointment with the system is visible in the streets.

Preposition 'perante' (in the face of/towards).

6

Surgiram várias deceções ao longo do processo.

Several disappointments arose throughout the process.

Plural form 'deceções' used with 'várias'.

7

A sua deceção era palpável em cada palavra.

His disappointment was palpable in every word.

Adjective 'palpável' (palpable/tangible).

8

Não permitas que a deceção te impeça de sonhar.

Don't allow disappointment to stop you from dreaming.

Negative imperative with a 'que' clause and subjunctive.

1

A deceção é, muitas vezes, o prelúdio da sabedoria.

Disappointment is often the prelude to wisdom.

Elevated literary style.

2

Houve uma deceção generalizada face às novas medidas.

There was widespread disappointment regarding the new measures.

Use of 'face a' (in light of/regarding).

3

A narrativa explora a deceção como motor da mudança.

The narrative explores disappointment as a driver of change.

Academic/Literary analysis register.

4

A deceção amorosa pode levar a estados depressivos.

Romantic disappointment can lead to depressive states.

Technical/Medical context.

5

O autor descreve a deceção de uma geração inteira.

The author describes the disappointment of an entire generation.

Collective noun 'geração' modified by 'inteira'.

6

A deceção não é o fim, mas um novo ponto de partida.

Disappointment is not the end, but a new starting point.

Rhetorical contrast using 'não... mas'.

7

É imperativo mitigar a deceção dos colaboradores.

It is imperative to mitigate the disappointment of the employees.

Formal vocabulary: 'imperativo', 'mitigar', 'colaboradores'.

8

A deceção instalou-se permanentemente no seu semblante.

Disappointment settled permanently on his countenance.

Literary use of 'instalar-se' and 'semblante'.

1

A deceção é o resíduo amargo de uma esperança mal gerida.

Disappointment is the bitter residue of poorly managed hope.

Highly metaphorical and abstract.

2

O fado personifica a deceção intrínseca à condição humana.

Fado personifies the disappointment intrinsic to the human condition.

Cultural and philosophical depth.

3

Subsiste uma deceção latente que ameaça a coesão social.

There remains a latent disappointment that threatens social cohesion.

Sophisticated verbs like 'subsistir' and adjectives like 'latente'.

4

A obra é uma meditação sobre a deceção e o tempo.

The work is a meditation on disappointment and time.

Abstract nouns used in a thematic summary.

5

A deceção, quando sublimada, pode tornar-se arte.

Disappointment, when sublimated, can become art.

Use of the psychological term 'sublimada'.

6

Não há deceção que o tempo não consiga atenuar.

There is no disappointment that time cannot mitigate.

Double negative structure for rhetorical effect.

7

A deceção é o espelho onde vemos as nossas ilusões quebradas.

Disappointment is the mirror where we see our broken illusions.

Poetic metaphor.

8

O declínio do império trouxe uma deceção metafísica.

The decline of the empire brought a metaphysical disappointment.

Historical and philosophical terminology.

よく使う組み合わせ

levar uma deceção
causar deceção
grande deceção
profunda deceção
amarga deceção
deceção amorosa
deceção total
esconder a deceção
evitar a deceção
deceção generalizada

よく使うフレーズ

Que deceção!

— What a disappointment! Used as an exclamation.

Perdemos o jogo? Que deceção!

Foi uma deceção.

— It was a disappointment. Used to describe a past event.

O jantar foi uma deceção.

Para minha deceção...

— To my disappointment... Used to introduce a disappointing fact.

Para minha deceção, o museu estava fechado.

Uma deceção atrás da outra.

— One disappointment after another. Used for a string of bad luck.

Este ano tem sido uma deceção atrás da outra.

Não sejas uma deceção.

— Don't be a disappointment. A warning to someone.

Estuda muito, não sejas uma deceção.

A maior deceção da minha vida.

— The biggest disappointment of my life.

Aquele divórcio foi a maior deceção da minha vida.

Lidar com a deceção.

— To deal with disappointment.

É difícil lidar com a deceção.

Causar uma deceção a alguém.

— To disappoint someone.

Não quero causar uma deceção aos meus pais.

Uma deceção enorme.

— A huge disappointment.

Foi uma deceção enorme para a equipa.

Superar uma deceção.

— To get over a disappointment.

Ele levou tempo a superar a deceção.

慣用句と表現

"Levar com a porta na cara"

— To be rejected or disappointed suddenly. Literally, to have the door slammed in one's face.

Pedi um aumento e levei com a porta na cara; que deceção.

informal
"Ficar a ver navios"

— To be left disappointed or empty-handed. Literally, to stay watching ships.

Prometeram-me o bónus, mas fiquei a ver navios. Foi uma deceção.

informal
"Cair do cavalo"

— To be hit by a sudden, harsh reality or disappointment. Literally, to fall off the horse.

Ele achava que ia ganhar, mas caiu do cavalo. Que deceção!

informal
"Dar com os burros na água"

— To fail or be disappointed after an effort. Literally, to put the donkeys in the water.

Tentámos abrir o negócio, mas demos com os burros na água. Uma deceção.

informal
"Ficar de queixo caído"

— Can be surprise, but often used for negative shock/disappointment. Literally, jaw-dropped.

Fiquei de queixo caído com a deceção que ele me pregou.

informal
"Pôr água no fervido"

— To dampen spirits or cause disappointment. Literally, to put water in the boil.

A tua notícia pôs água no fervido da nossa alegria. Que deceção.

informal
"Sair o tiro pela culatra"

— When something backfires, causing disappointment. Literally, the shot comes out the breech.

O plano era bom, mas o tiro saiu pela culatra. Foi uma deceção.

informal
"Ficar em águas de bacalhau"

— When something comes to nothing, leading to disappointment. Literally, to stay in cod water.

O projeto ficou em águas de bacalhau. Que deceção.

informal
"Engolir um sapo"

— To have to accept a disappointment or unpleasant situation without complaining. Literally, to swallow a toad.

Tive de engolir um sapo e aceitar a deceção.

informal
"Bater com o nariz na porta"

— To be disappointed by finding something closed or unavailable. Literally, to hit your nose on the door.

Fui ao banco mas bati com o nariz na porta. Que deceção.

informal

語族

名詞

deceção
dececionismo

動詞

dececionar

形容詞

dececionado
dececionante

関連

dececionar-se
dececionador
desilusão
desapontamento
expectativa

暗記しよう

記憶術

Think of 'Deceção' as 'The session ended badly'. When a 'session' (ceção) goes wrong, you feel disappointment.

視覚的連想

Imagine a giant 'C' with a sad face sitting on a broken heart. The 'C' is for 'Deceção'.

Word Web

Tristeza Expectativa Sentimento Desilusão Amargura Falha Coração Realidade

チャレンジ

Try to use 'deceção' in a sentence today to describe a movie or a book you didn't like. Tell a friend: 'O livro foi uma deceção'.

語源

From the Latin 'deceptio, -onis', which originally meant 'the act of deceiving'.

元の意味: In Latin, it referred to trickery or deceit.

Romance (Latin origin).

文化的な背景

English speakers must be very careful with the false friend 'deception'. Portuguese 'deceção' is internal (feeling), whereas English 'deception' is external (the act of lying).

Fado lyrics by Amália Rodrigues often touch upon 'deceção' and 'desilusão'. Fernando Pessoa's poetry frequently explores the 'deceção' of existence. The phrase 'Uma Deceção Nacional' is commonly used by Portuguese newspapers after major sports losses.
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