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B1 adjective #3,500 most common 12 min read

frustrado

Top 3,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips frustrado in 30 Seconds

Explanation frustrado in your Level:

At the A1 level, the word 'frustrado' is a very useful adjective to express basic feelings when things do not go as planned. Imagine you are trying to order food in a Spanish restaurant, but you cannot remember the right words. You might feel 'frustrado'. In this stage, you should focus on the simplest form: 'Estoy frustrado' (I am frustrated) or 'Estoy frustrada' (if you are female). You don't need to worry about complex grammar yet. Just remember that it usually goes with the verb 'estar' because it's a feeling you have right now, not a permanent part of your personality. It's also important to notice that the word looks a lot like the English word 'frustrated', which makes it easy to remember. You can use it when you are learning Spanish and find a difficult grammar rule, or when you can't find your keys. It's a natural part of the learning process! Try to practice saying it with a sigh to show how you feel. Remember: 'o' for boys, 'a' for girls.

As an A2 learner, you can start expanding how you use 'frustrado' by adding reasons for your feeling. Instead of just saying 'Estoy frustrado', you can say 'Estoy frustrado porque no entiendo' (I am frustrated because I don't understand). This 'porque' (because) allows you to connect your feelings to a situation. You should also start paying closer attention to plural forms. If you and your friend are both feeling this way, you would say 'Estamos frustrados'. At this level, you might also encounter the word 'frustrante', which describes the thing making you feel that way. For example, 'La tarea es frustrante' (The homework is frustrating). Understanding the difference between 'frustrado' (how you feel) and 'frustrante' (the thing) is a big step forward. You can also use it with 'sentirse' (to feel), as in 'Me siento frustrado con mi progreso'. This sounds a bit more natural than just using 'estar' all the time. Keep practicing the gender and number agreement, as that is the most common mistake at this level.

At the B1 level, you are expected to use 'frustrado' in more varied contexts and with better grammatical precision. You should be comfortable using prepositions like 'con' or 'por' to specify the source of your frustration: 'Estoy frustrado con el sistema' or 'Está frustrada por el tráfico'. You will also start to see 'frustrado' used to describe situations or objects, not just people. For instance, 'un plan frustrado' refers to a plan that was blocked or failed. This is common in news stories or books. You should also be able to use the word in different tenses, such as the imperfect ('Me sentía frustrado') or the preterite ('Me sentí frustrado en ese momento'). At this level, you can also start using synonyms to avoid repetition, though 'frustrado' remains your primary word for this emotion. You might also encounter the noun 'frustración' and understand how to use it in sentences like 'La frustración es parte de la vida'. Focus on making sure your adjectives always match the noun they describe, especially in longer, more complex sentences where the noun and adjective might be far apart.

By the B2 level, you should have a nuanced understanding of 'frustrado' and its related forms. You can use it to describe complex emotional states and social situations. You might discuss 'la tolerancia a la frustración' (frustration tolerance) or describe a 'talento frustrado' (a wasted or unfulfilled talent). You should understand the subtle difference between 'estar frustrado' (a state) and 'ser un frustrado' (a character trait, often used as a mild insult to mean someone who is bitter or unsuccessful). At this level, you can use the word in the subjunctive mood, such as 'Es una pena que te sientas frustrado' (It's a shame you feel frustrated). You are also expected to recognize the word in professional or academic texts, where it might describe a 'proceso frustrado' (a failed process) or 'expectativas frustradas' (thwarted expectations). Your use of prepositions should be flawless, and you should be able to explain exactly why someone is frustrated using sophisticated vocabulary. You might also start using the word in idiomatic ways or alongside other high-level adjectives like 'impotente' or 'desilusionado' to provide a full picture of someone's mental state.

At the C1 level, you use 'frustrado' with total fluency and can appreciate its use in literature, formal rhetoric, and specialized fields like psychology or law. You understand the historical and etymological roots of the word, which helps you grasp its deeper connotations of 'deception' or 'failure'. You can use it to describe abstract concepts, such as 'una democracia frustrada' (a failed or incomplete democracy). In your own writing, you might use 'frustrado' to create specific tones—for example, using it as a preceding adjective ('su frustrada carrera') to add a literary or dramatic flair. You are also aware of regional variations in pronunciation and usage, such as the dropping of the 'd' in casual speech ('frustrao') in certain dialects. You can engage in deep discussions about the causes of social frustration and use the word to analyze characters in Spanish-language films or novels. Your ability to distinguish between 'frustrado', 'contrariado', 'despechado', and 'agobiado' allows you to express the human experience with great precision and sensitivity.

As a C2 learner, your mastery of 'frustrado' is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker. You can use the word in any context, from a casual text message to a formal legal document or a philosophical essay. You understand its role in the passive voice ('El robo fue frustrado por la rápida intervención policial') and can use it to articulate complex existential states. You might use the word to discuss the 'frustrated' state of particles in physics or the 'frustrated' goals of historical movements. You have a complete command of all related word forms, including rare derivatives, and you can play with the word's meaning in puns or creative writing. You are also a master of the pragmatic use of the word—knowing exactly when to use 'frustrado' to elicit sympathy, when to use it to describe a failure objectively, and when to avoid it to maintain a professional distance. Your understanding of the word is not just linguistic but cultural, recognizing how frustration is expressed and managed differently across the diverse cultures of the Spanish-speaking world.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

frustrado in 30 Seconds

Frustrado is a B1-level Spanish adjective describing the feeling of being blocked from a goal.
It must agree in gender (o/a) and number (os/as) with the person it describes.
It is usually used with 'estar' for emotions and 'quedar' for outcomes of events.
It also means 'thwarted' when describing plans, attempts, or criminal activities.

The Spanish word frustrado is an adjective that describes a deep sense of dissatisfaction, annoyance, or disappointment arising from unresolved problems or unfulfilled expectations. It is the emotional state one enters when an internal or external obstacle prevents the achievement of a goal. In Spanish-speaking cultures, expressing frustration is a common part of daily life, whether it relates to the complexities of bureaucracy, the challenges of learning a new skill, or the inevitable delays of public transportation. Unlike some emotions that might be kept private, frustración is often shared among friends and family as a way to seek empathy and communal support.

Emotional Context: It refers to the feeling of being blocked. It is stronger than simply being 'sad' but less intense than 'furious'. It is a state of being stuck.

Me siento muy frustrado porque mi computadora no funciona y tengo mucho trabajo que terminar hoy mismo.

When using this word, it is crucial to understand that it functions as a past participle of the verb frustrar. This means it must agree in gender and number with the subject it describes. If a woman is feeling this way, she is frustrada. If a group of people is involved, they are frustrados or frustradas. This grammatical agreement is a fundamental step for English speakers to master, as English adjectives do not change their form based on the subject. Furthermore, the word is almost exclusively used with the verb estar because it describes a temporary emotional state rather than a permanent personality trait.

El artista se sentía frustrado porque no lograba capturar la luz exacta en su lienzo.

Professional Usage: Commonly used in workplace evaluations or discussions about project management when goals are not met due to external factors.

Beyond personal feelings, frustrado can describe plans or attempts. A 'plan frustrado' is a plan that was thwarted or failed to come to fruition. This versatility makes it a high-frequency word in news reports, especially when discussing failed political negotiations or intercepted criminal activities. Understanding the nuance between the internal feeling and the external state of a failed project is key to achieving B1 level proficiency and beyond. People use it to vent, to explain delays, and to describe the human condition of facing resistance from the world around them.

Después de tres intentos fallidos, el equipo se mostró visiblemente frustrado ante la prensa.

Ella está frustrada con el sistema de salud de su país.

Nuance Comparison: While 'enojado' means angry, 'frustrado' specifically implies that the anger comes from an inability to act or succeed.

Los estudiantes terminaron el examen sintiéndose frustrados por la dificultad de las preguntas.

Using frustrado correctly requires a solid grasp of Spanish sentence structure, specifically adjective agreement and verb choice. As an adjective derived from a verb, its primary role is to modify a noun or follow a linking verb to describe a subject. In most cases, you will find it following estar, sentirse, or quedar. Each of these verbs adds a slightly different flavor to the sentence. Estar frustrado is the standard way to state the feeling. Sentirse frustrado emphasizes the internal emotional experience. Quedar frustrado often implies the result of an event, such as 'He was left feeling frustrated after the meeting'.

Agreement Rules: Masculine Singular: frustrado. Feminine Singular: frustrada. Masculine Plural: frustrados. Feminine Plural: frustradas.

María está frustrada porque no puede viajar este verano.

When you want to specify the cause of the frustration, you typically use the prepositions por, con, or ante. Use por when referring to the reason or cause (e.g., frustrated by the lack of time). Use con when the frustration is directed at a person or an object (e.g., frustrated with her boss or with the broken car). Use ante in more formal contexts to describe frustration in the face of a situation (e.g., frustrated in the face of injustice). Mastering these prepositions will make your Spanish sound much more natural and precise.

Mis hermanos están frustrados con el resultado del partido de fútbol.

Sentence Placement: Usually placed after the verb, but can precede a noun in poetic or literary contexts to emphasize the quality (e.g., su frustrada ambición).

In complex sentences, you might see frustrado used to modify a noun directly. For example, 'un intento frustrado' (a thwarted attempt). Here, the word describes the outcome of an action rather than a person's mood. This dual usage is common in journalism. If you are describing a person who has given up on their dreams, you might call them 'un artista frustrado'—someone who considers themselves an artist but never achieved success. This specific construction often carries a slightly melancholic or even judgmental tone, suggesting a life of 'what ifs'.

El detective se sentía frustrado ante la falta de pistas en el caso.

Las negociaciones quedaron frustradas por la falta de acuerdo entre las partes.

Common Verb Pairings: Terminar + frustrado, Acabar + frustrado, Sentirse + frustrado, Estar + frustrado.

No te quedes frustrado; sigue intentándolo hasta que lo logres.

You will encounter the word frustrado in a wide variety of social and professional settings across the Spanish-speaking world. In the workplace, it is frequently used during 'reuniones de equipo' (team meetings) when discussing obstacles. If a software developer cannot fix a bug, they might say, 'Estoy frustrado con este código'. In educational settings, teachers use it to identify students who are struggling: 'El alumno parece frustrado con las matemáticas'. It is a word that validates the difficulty of a task while identifying the emotional response to that difficulty.

In Sports Media: Commentators often use it to describe a player who is having a bad game or a team that cannot score despite many attempts.

El delantero salió del campo frustrado tras fallar el penalti decisivo.

In casual conversations among friends, frustrado is the go-to word for venting about modern life. Whether it is the 'tráfico lento', a slow internet connection, or a dating app that yields no results, the word perfectly captures the zeitgeist of modern inconvenience. It is often paired with physical gestures—a sigh, a throw of the hands, or a roll of the eyes. In Spanish culture, which can be very expressive, saying 'estoy frustrado' is a clear signal that you need a moment to breathe or a friend to listen to your grievances.

Muchos jóvenes se sienten frustrados por la falta de oportunidades laborales.

In Literature and Film: Commonly used to describe the 'héroe frustrado'—a protagonist whose noble intentions are blocked by a corrupt society or fate.

Furthermore, you will hear it in news broadcasts regarding crime and security. Headlines like 'Robo frustrado en el centro' (Thwarted robbery in the city center) are common. In this context, it means the act was prevented before it could be completed. This objective, third-person use of the word is very different from the emotional, first-person use, but it is equally important for a learner to recognize. Whether it is a person's heart or a criminal's plan, frustrado indicates that something did not go as intended.

La policía informó sobre un intento frustrado de fuga en la prisión local.

Me voy a dormir; estoy demasiado frustrado para seguir pensando en esto.

In Therapy and Self-Help: Psychologists often discuss 'la tolerancia a la frustración' (frustration tolerance) as a key skill for children and adults alike.

Es normal sentirse frustrado cuando aprendes un idioma nuevo; no te rindas.

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make when using frustrado is failing to apply gender and number agreement. In English, 'frustrated' never changes, but in Spanish, saying 'Ella está frustrado' is grammatically incorrect and sounds jarring to native speakers. Always check the subject: if it is 'las niñas', the adjective must be 'frustradas'. This requires a mental shift to constantly monitor the gender and quantity of the people you are talking about. It is a hallmark of an intermediate learner to get these agreements right consistently.

Agreement Error: Incorrect: Mis hermanas están frustrados. Correct: Mis hermanas están frustradas.

Si estás frustrada, Ana, deberías tomarte un descanso y caminar un poco.

Another common pitfall is the confusion between frustrado (the feeling) and frustrante (the cause). Many learners say 'Yo soy frustrante' when they mean 'I am frustrated'. Saying 'Yo soy frustrante' actually means 'I am a frustrating person'—implying that you make others feel frustrated! To describe your own feelings, use 'Estoy frustrado'. To describe a difficult task, use 'La tarea es frustrante'. This distinction is vital for clear communication. Similarly, choosing the wrong verb—ser instead of estar—can change your meaning from 'I feel frustrated right now' to 'I am a failure as a person'.

El proceso de obtener la visa fue muy frustrante, por eso ahora estoy tan frustrado.

Verb Choice Error: Incorrect: Soy frustrado por el tráfico. Correct: Estoy frustrado por el tráfico.

Lastly, learners often struggle with the correct preposition to follow the word. While in English we are frustrated 'with' or 'by', in Spanish, por and con are used specifically. Using 'de' (e.g., frustrado de) is less common and often sounds like a direct translation from French or another language. Additionally, be careful not to overuse the word. Sometimes 'enojado' (angry), 'triste' (sad), or 'decepcionado' (disappointed) might be more accurate depending on the specific nuance of your emotion. Overusing 'frustrado' for every negative feeling can make your Spanish sound repetitive and slightly limited.

Estamos frustrados con el servicio al cliente de esta empresa de telefonía.

No te sientas frustrado si no entiendes todo a la primera; el español toma tiempo.

Spelling Note: Ensure you include the 'r' after the 'f'. Some beginners accidentally say 'fustrado', which is a common mispronunciation even among some native speakers but is considered incorrect.

El intento de récord mundial quedó frustrado por las malas condiciones climáticas.

To enrich your Spanish vocabulary, it is helpful to know words that are similar to frustrado but offer different shades of meaning. One such word is decepcionado (disappointed). While frustration involves a sense of being blocked, disappointment is more about the sadness of an expectation not being met. You might be frustrado because you can't fix your car, but decepcionado because your friend forgot your birthday. Another alternative is impotente (powerless/helpless), which emphasizes the total lack of control over a situation, a common component of frustration.

Frustrado vs. Decepcionado: Frustrado: I can't do it. Decepcionado: It wasn't as good as I hoped.

Me siento impotente ante esta situación injusta; es muy frustrante.

If you are feeling overwhelmed by frustration, you might use agobiado (overwhelmed) or estresado (stressed). In Spain, a very common informal word for being fed up or frustrated is quemado (burnt out). If someone says 'Estoy quemado del trabajo', they are expressing a long-term, deep-seated frustration with their professional life. In Latin America, you might hear harto (fed up/sick of), which is a strong way to say you have had enough of a frustrating situation. Using these varied terms will help you express the specific type of frustration you are experiencing.

Estoy harto de que el tren siempre llegue tarde; es frustrante para todos.

Frustrado vs. Enojado: Frustrado: Focused on the obstacle. Enojado: Focused on the anger/aggression.

For more formal or literary contexts, you might use contrariado (annoyed/vexed). This suggests a person whose plans have been crossed or who has received bad news. It is more sophisticated than 'frustrado'. On the other hand, if a plan was stopped by force, you could use desbaratado (disrupted/ruined). For example, 'Sus planes fueron desbaratados por la lluvia'. Understanding these synonyms allows you to tailor your speech to the occasion, moving from the everyday 'estoy frustrado' to more nuanced descriptions of human emotion and situational outcomes.

El director se mostró contrariado cuando se enteró de la noticia del retraso.

Tras el fracaso del proyecto, el equipo quedó desanimado y frustrado.

Formal Alternatives: Inhibido (inhibited), Malogrado (unsuccessful/failed), Infructuoso (fruitless).

A pesar de sus esfuerzos, el resultado fue infructuoso, dejándolo frustrado.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The root is related to the word 'fraude' (fraud), as both involve a sense of being 'tricked' out of a desired result.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /fruːˈstrɑː.ðoʊ/

US /fruˈstrɑ.ðo/

The stress is on the second-to-last syllable: frus-TRA-do.

Rhymes With

cansado pesado olvidado enojado lado estado pasado llamado

Common Errors

Saying 'fustrado' (missing the first 'r').
Pronouncing the 'u' like the English 'u' in 'trust'.
Making the 'd' too hard like an English 'd'.
Forgetting to change the ending to 'a' for females.
Using an English 'r' sound.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize due to its similarity to the English word.

Writing 4/5

Requires careful attention to gender/number agreement and spelling (the double 'r').

Speaking 3/5

Pronouncing the flipped 'r' and the soft 'd' takes practice.

Listening 3/5

Can be hard to hear the 'd' in fast, casual speech ('frustrao').

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

estar porque sentir con por

Learn Next

frustrante decepcionado agobiado impotencia lograr

Advanced

infructuoso malogrado contrariedad desbaratar paliar

Grammar to Know

Adjective Agreement

Las mujeres están frustradas.

Estar vs Ser with Adjectives

Estoy frustrado (feeling) vs Es un frustrado (identity).

Past Participle as Adjective

Un plan frustrado.

Prepositions with Emotions

Frustrado con algo / Frustrado por algo.

Subjunctive with Expressions of Emotion

Me molesta que estés frustrado.

Examples by Level

Yo estoy frustrado.

I am frustrated (masculine).

Uses 'estar' for a temporary feeling.

Ella está muy frustrada.

She is very frustrated.

Adjective ends in 'a' to match 'ella'.

¿Estás frustrado con la tarea?

Are you frustrated with the homework?

Question form with 'con'.

Nosotros no estamos frustrados.

We are not frustrated.

Plural masculine form 'frustrados'.

Mi amigo está frustrado hoy.

My friend is frustrated today.

Time marker 'hoy' emphasizes 'estar'.

Las niñas están frustradas.

The girls are frustrated.

Plural feminine form 'frustradas'.

No te sientas frustrado.

Don't feel frustrated.

Imperative with 'sentirse'.

Es un momento frustrado.

It is a frustrated moment (incorrect usage common at A1, should be frustrante).

Note: Beginners often mix this with 'frustrante'.

Estoy frustrado porque no encuentro mis llaves.

I'm frustrated because I can't find my keys.

Uses 'porque' to explain the cause.

María se siente frustrada en su clase de piano.

Maria feels frustrated in her piano class.

Uses 'sentirse' for internal emotion.

Ellos están frustrados con el tráfico de la ciudad.

They are frustrated with the city traffic.

Preposition 'con' used for the object of frustration.

Fue un intento frustrado de cocinar una paella.

It was a thwarted attempt to cook a paella.

'Frustrado' modifying the noun 'intento'.

Mi madre está frustrada por la lluvia.

My mother is frustrated by the rain.

Preposition 'por' used for the cause.

Los estudiantes quedaron frustrados después del examen.

The students were left frustrated after the exam.

Uses 'quedar' to show the result of an event.

No quiero estar frustrada todo el día.

I don't want to be frustrated all day.

Infinitive 'estar' after 'querer'.

El perro parece frustrado porque no puede salir.

The dog seems frustrated because it can't go out.

Uses 'parecer' to describe appearance.

El artista se siente frustrado ante la falta de inspiración.

The artist feels frustrated in the face of a lack of inspiration.

Preposition 'ante' used for a situation.

Fue una carrera frustrada por una lesión inesperada.

It was a career thwarted by an unexpected injury.

Passive-like use describing a life path.

Si sigues así, vas a terminar muy frustrado.

If you keep going like this, you're going to end up very frustrated.

Uses 'terminar' as a resultative verb.

Ella está frustrada con los constantes retrasos del tren.

She is frustrated with the constant train delays.

Plural noun 'retrasos' after 'con'.

Muchos ciudadanos están frustrados por la situación económica.

Many citizens are frustrated by the economic situation.

Describes a collective social feeling.

Su deseo de viajar quedó frustrado por la pandemia.

Their desire to travel was thwarted by the pandemic.

Abstract noun 'deseo' modified by 'quedó frustrado'.

Me siento frustrado al no poder ayudar a mi hermano.

I feel frustrated at not being able to help my brother.

Uses 'al + infinitive' to show the cause.

La policía anunció un asalto frustrado en el banco.

The police announced a thwarted assault at the bank.

Journalistic usage for a prevented crime.

Es comprensible que el equipo se muestre frustrado tras la derrota.

It is understandable that the team shows themselves as frustrated after the defeat.

Uses 'mostrarse' and the subjunctive 'se muestre'.

No seas un escritor frustrado; sigue enviando tus manuscritos.

Don't be a frustrated writer; keep sending your manuscripts.

Noun-like use with 'ser' implying a life status.

La negociación quedó frustrada por la intransigencia de las partes.

The negotiation was thwarted by the intransigence of the parties.

High-level vocabulary like 'intransigencia'.

Ella vive frustrada por no haber seguido su verdadera vocación.

She lives frustrated for not having followed her true vocation.

Uses 'vivir' as a state verb.

El proyecto, aunque ambicioso, resultó frustrado por falta de fondos.

The project, although ambitious, turned out thwarted due to lack of funds.

Uses 'resultar' to describe an outcome.

Me frustra que siempre llegues tarde a nuestras citas.

It frustrates me that you always arrive late to our dates.

Verb 'frustrar' used as a psychological verb like 'gustar'.

A pesar de su talento, se siente un músico frustrado.

Despite his talent, he feels like a frustrated musician.

Describes a sense of unfulfilled potential.

El golpe de estado fue frustrado por el apoyo popular al gobierno.

The coup d'état was thwarted by popular support for the government.

Political context, passive construction.

La novela narra la vida de un aristócrata frustrado por la modernidad.

The novel narrates the life of an aristocrat frustrated by modernity.

Literary context.

Su mirada frustrada revelaba años de luchas internas.

His frustrated gaze revealed years of internal struggles.

Using the adjective to describe a body part/expression.

El plan de expansión se vio frustrado por la súbita caída de la bolsa.

The expansion plan was thwarted by the sudden stock market crash.

Uses 'verse frustrado' as a formal passive.

No debemos permitir que una generación frustrada pierda la esperanza.

We must not allow a frustrated generation to lose hope.

Describing a demographic group.

La reforma quedó frustrada ante la oposición del senado.

The reform was thwarted in the face of senate opposition.

Formal political usage.

Sentirse frustrado es, en ocasiones, el motor del cambio social.

Feeling frustrated is, at times, the engine of social change.

Philosophical/Sociological observation.

La expedición, frustrada por el clima, tuvo que regresar a la base.

The expedition, thwarted by the weather, had to return to base.

Appositive adjective phrase.

Existe una gran diferencia entre un deseo frustrado y una necesidad insatisfecha.

There is a big difference between a frustrated desire and an unsatisfied need.

Precise vocabulary comparison.

El devenir histórico a menudo se compone de proyectos frustrados.

Historical becoming is often composed of thwarted projects.

High-level philosophical vocabulary ('devenir').

Su retórica, aunque brillante, nacía de un espíritu profundamente frustrado.

His rhetoric, although brilliant, was born from a deeply frustrated spirit.

Analyzing the source of an action.

La tentativa de magnicidio fue frustrada gracias a los servicios de inteligencia.

The assassination attempt was thwarted thanks to the intelligence services.

Extremely formal/news register.

En la física de sistemas complejos, hablamos de estados frustrados de la materia.

In complex systems physics, we talk about frustrated states of matter.

Scientific/Technical usage.

La obra es un monumento a las ambiciones frustradas de la posguerra.

The work is a monument to the thwarted ambitions of the post-war period.

Art criticism context.

Aquel verano quedó en su memoria como un idilio frustrado por el azar.

That summer remained in his memory as an idyll thwarted by chance.

Poetic/Narrative register.

La dialéctica entre el éxito y el esfuerzo frustrado es central en su filosofía.

The dialectic between success and frustrated effort is central to his philosophy.

Academic discourse.

Se percibe un ambiente de consenso frustrado en las negociaciones actuales.

A mood of thwarted consensus is perceived in the current negotiations.

Nuanced political analysis.

Synonyms

decepcionado impotente desanimado harto agobiado contrariado quemado malogrado

Antonyms

satisfecho realizado exitoso contento

Common Collocations

estar frustrado

sentirse frustrado

intento frustrado

plan frustrado

visiblemente frustrado

profundamente frustrado

frustrado por

frustrado con

quedar frustrado

deseo frustrado

Common Phrases

un artista frustrado

— Someone who wanted to be an artist but failed. Often used for other professions too.

Es un político frustrado que ahora escribe blogs.

robo frustrado

— A robbery that was stopped before it happened. Very common in news.

La policía evitó un robo frustrado.

sentirse frustrado

— To feel the emotion of frustration internally. More personal than 'estar'.

Me siento frustrado cuando no puedo ayudar.

terminar frustrado

— To end up in a state of frustration after an activity. Shows the result.

Terminé frustrado después de intentar arreglar la luz.

vivir frustrado

— To live in a constant state of frustration. Suggests a long-term problem.

No puedes vivir frustrado por el pasado.

totalmente frustrado

— Completely frustrated. Used for emphasis.

Estoy totalmente frustrado con este programa.

un amor frustrado

— A love that could not happen or was blocked. Common in literature.

La canción habla de un amor frustrado.

expectativas frustradas

— Expectations that were not met. Formal context.

Las expectativas frustradas causaron el enfado.

esfuerzo frustrado

— An effort that did not lead to success. Emphasizes the work done.

Fue un esfuerzo frustrado por la mala gestión.

quedarse con las ganas

— Idiomatic way to say one is frustrated by not being able to do something.

Me quedé con las ganas de ir a la fiesta (I'm frustrated I couldn't go).

Often Confused With

frustrado vs frustrante

Means 'frustrating' (the thing). Frustrado means 'frustrated' (the person).

frustrado vs fustrado

A common misspelling/mispronunciation. The 'r' is mandatory.

frustrado vs decepcionado

Means 'disappointed'. Frustration is about being blocked; disappointment is about failing expectations.

Idioms & Expressions

"Darse contra la pared"

— To keep trying something that doesn't work, leading to frustration.

Intentar convencerlo es darse contra la pared.

informal

"Quedarse con la miel en los labios"

— To be very close to success but have it thwarted at the last second.

Perdieron el partido al final y se quedaron con la miel en los labios.

neutral

"Estar hasta las narices"

— To be extremely fed up and frustrated with a situation.

Estoy hasta las narices de este tráfico.

informal

"No dar pie con bola"

— To not get anything right, leading to extreme frustration.

Hoy no doy pie con bola en el trabajo.

informal

"Ahogarse en un vaso de agua"

— To get frustrated or overwhelmed by a very small problem.

No te ahogues en un vaso de agua, es fácil de arreglar.

informal

"Tirar la toalla"

— To give up because of frustration. From boxing.

Estaba tan frustrado que tiró la toalla.

neutral

"Hacerse mala sangre"

— To let frustration and anger make you bitter or upset inside.

No te hagas mala sangre por lo que dijo.

informal

"Poner trabas"

— To put obstacles in someone's way, making them feel frustrated.

La burocracia siempre pone trabas a todo.

neutral

"Quedarse en agua de borrajas"

— When a plan or expectation comes to nothing, leaving people frustrated.

Todas sus promesas quedaron en agua de borrajas.

informal

"Luchar contra molinos de viento"

— To fight a frustrating, imaginary, or unwinnable battle (from Don Quixote).

Intentar cambiar el sistema solo es luchar contra molinos de viento.

literary

Easily Confused

frustrado vs frustrante

Both come from the same root.

'Frustrante' describes the cause; 'frustrado' describes the person feeling the emotion.

La clase es frustrante, por eso estoy frustrado.

frustrado vs avergonzado

Learners sometimes mix up emotional adjectives ending in -ado.

'Avergonzado' is embarrassed; 'frustrado' is blocked/annoyed.

Me siento frustrado porque no puedo hablar, no avergonzado.

frustrado vs molesto

Both express annoyance.

'Molesto' is a general annoyance or being bothered; 'frustrado' is specifically about a failed goal.

Estoy molesto con el ruido, pero frustrado con mi progreso.

frustrado vs enojado

Both are negative emotions.

'Enojado' is anger; 'frustrado' is the feeling of being unable to do something.

Estoy frustrado porque no entiendo, no estoy enojado contigo.

frustrado vs decepcionado

Similar emotional territory.

'Decepcionado' is when someone lets you down; 'frustrado' is when you can't achieve something.

Estoy frustrado con el motor, pero decepcionado con el mecánico.

Sentence Patterns

Sujeto + estar + frustrado/a.

Yo estoy frustrada.

Sujeto + estar + frustrado + porque + oración.

Él está frustrado porque no tiene dinero.

Sujeto + sentirse + frustrado + con/por + sustantivo.

Nosotros nos sentimos frustrados con el servicio.

Sustantivo + quedar + frustrado.

El plan quedó frustrado.

Sujeto + ser + un + sustantivo + frustrado.

Él es un actor frustrado.

Es + adjetivo + que + sujeto + subjuntivo + frustrado.

Es lógico que estés frustrado.

Sujeto + verse + frustrado + por + sustantivo.

Su carrera se vio frustrada por el accidente.

Adjetivo (frustrado/a) + sustantivo...

Frustrada su ambición, se retiró al campo.

Word Family

Nouns

la frustración (the frustration)

Verbs

frustrar (to frustrate/to thwart)

frustrarse (to get frustrated)

Adjectives

frustrado (frustrated)

frustrada (frustrated - fem)

frustrante (frustrating)

el fracaso

la decepción

el obstáculo

la impotencia

el desánimo

How to Use It

frequency

High in both spoken and written Spanish.

Common Mistakes

Yo soy frustrado. → Yo estoy frustrado.
Use 'estar' for temporary emotions. 'Ser' implies a permanent character flaw.
Ella está frustrado. → Ella está frustrada.
Adjectives must agree in gender with the subject.
Estoy frustrado de mi trabajo. → Estoy frustrado con mi trabajo.
The correct preposition for the object of frustration is usually 'con'.
La situación es frustrada. → La situación es frustrante.
Use '-ante' for the cause and '-ado' for the person feeling the emotion.
Tengo mucho fustración. → Tengo mucha frustración.
Don't forget the 'r' in the middle and remember 'frustración' is feminine.

Tips

Check the ending

Always look at who you are talking about. If it's a woman, use 'frustrada'. If it's a group, use 'frustrados' or 'frustradas'.

Use 'estar', not 'ser'

To describe your feelings, always use 'estar'. Using 'ser' changes the meaning to a permanent, often negative, character trait.

The double R danger

Don't forget the first 'r'. Say 'f-r-u-s-t-r-a-d-o'. Saying 'fustrado' is a common mistake even for some native speakers, but it's incorrect.

Frustrado vs Decepcionado

Use 'frustrado' when you are blocked from doing something. Use 'decepcionado' when something wasn't as good as you expected.

News usage

When you see 'frustrado' in a headline, it usually means 'thwarted' or 'prevented', like a 'robo frustrado' (thwarted robbery).

Casual pronunciation

Be prepared to hear 'frustrao' in casual speech. The 'd' often disappears in fast conversation in many Spanish-speaking regions.

Avoid repetition

If you've already used 'frustrado', try 'agobiado' (overwhelmed) or 'impotente' (powerless) to make your writing more interesting.

Venting is okay

In Spanish culture, saying 'estoy frustrado' is a normal way to start a conversation and seek empathy from others.

Related idioms

Learn 'quedarse con las ganas' as a more idiomatic way to express the feeling of a frustrated desire.

Psychology term

Learn the phrase 'tolerancia a la frustración' (frustration tolerance). It's a very common term in educational and psychological contexts.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'FRUstrated STRADivarius' player who can't play a single note. Frus-Strad-o.

Visual Association

Imagine a person standing in front of a giant red 'X' or a wall they can't climb.

Word Web

sentimientos estar frustrante bloqueo obstáculo metas enojo tristeza

Challenge

Try to use 'frustrado' and 'frustrante' in the same sentence today. For example: 'Esta situación es frustrante y yo estoy frustrado'.

Word Origin

From the Latin 'frustratus', which is the past participle of 'frustrari' (to deceive, to disappoint, or to make in vain).

Original meaning: To deceive or to make someone's efforts useless.

Romance (Latin root).

Cultural Context

Be careful when calling someone 'un frustrado' (a frustrated person) as it can be a harsh personal insult implying they are a failure.

English speakers often use 'annoyed' or 'upset' where Spanish speakers would specifically use 'frustrado' to emphasize the blockage of a goal.

'El artista frustrado' is a common trope in Spanish literature. News headlines often use 'Atraco frustrado' (Thwarted robbery). Psychology books often discuss 'Tolerancia a la frustración'.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Technology

El ordenador no funciona.
No hay internet.
La aplicación se cierra.
Estoy frustrado con el software.

Language Learning

No entiendo la gramática.
No puedo hablar rápido.
Olvido las palabras.
Aprender español es frustrante.

Work

Mi jefe no me escucha.
El proyecto tiene retraso.
No hay recursos.
Me siento frustrado profesionalmente.

Travel

El vuelo se canceló.
Perdí mi maleta.
El tren llega tarde.
Fue un viaje frustrado.

Relationships

No nos entendemos.
Él no me llama.
Ella cambió de opinión.
Estoy frustrada con mi pareja.

Conversation Starters

"¿Alguna vez te has sentido frustrado al aprender un nuevo idioma?"

"¿Qué haces cuando estás muy frustrado con el trabajo o los estudios?"

"¿Te sientes frustrado cuando el tráfico es muy lento por la mañana?"

"¿Crees que es normal que los niños se sientan frustrados fácilmente?"

"¿Qué situación tecnológica te hace sentir más frustrado actualmente?"

Journal Prompts

Describe una situación reciente en la que te sentiste frustrado y explica por qué sucedió.

Escribe sobre un plan que tenías y que quedó frustrado por causas externas. ¿Cómo reaccionaste?

¿Cómo manejas la frustración? Escribe tres consejos para alguien que se siente frustrado hoy.

Reflexiona sobre la diferencia entre estar frustrado y estar decepcionado en tu propia vida.

Imagina que eres un 'artista frustrado'. Escribe una entrada de diario sobre tus sueños no cumplidos.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Se dice 'estoy frustrado' para expresar cómo te sientes en un momento dado. 'Soy frustrado' se usa raramente y suele ser un insulto para describir a alguien que ha fracasado en la vida de forma permanente.

'Frustrado' describe a la persona que siente la emoción. 'Frustrante' describe a la cosa o situación que causa esa emoción. Por ejemplo: 'El tráfico es frustrante' y 'Yo estoy frustrado'.

Sí, es muy común. Un 'plan frustrado' es un plan que no se pudo realizar por algún obstáculo. También se usa para 'intentos frustrados' o 'asaltos frustrados' en las noticias.

Se dice 'frustrada'. Recuerda que en español los adjetivos deben coincidir con el género de la persona. 'Ella está frustrada'.

Normalmente se usa 'con' para objetos o personas (frustrado con el ordenador) y 'por' para causas o razones (frustrado por el tráfico).

Sí, es una palabra de nivel intermedio (B1) que se usa muchísimo en la vida diaria, el trabajo y los medios de comunicación.

Es una 'r' suave o 'percusiva'. Debes tocar el paladar con la punta de la lengua una sola vez, de forma rápida.

Sí, 'quedar frustrado' se usa para describir el estado final después de un evento. 'Después de la reunión, quedó muy frustrado'.

Existe, pero es muy poco común. Los nativos prefieren decir 'con frustración' o 'de manera frustrada'.

No, es un cognado real. Significa exactamente lo mismo que 'frustrated' en inglés, lo cual facilita mucho su aprendizaje.