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失望する

B1 verb #3,500 most common 6 min read

失望する

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Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 失望する in 30 Seconds

Explanation 失望する in your Level:

At the A1 level, you are just starting to express basic feelings. While 'shitsubou suru' might be a bit advanced for a total beginner, you can think of it as a very strong way to say 'I am sad' because something didn't go the way you wanted. At this level, you should focus on the basic 'suru' verb structure. Imagine you are playing a game and you lose—you might feel a little 'shitsubou.' However, most A1 learners will use 'kanashii' (sad) or 'zannen' (unfortunate). Learning 'shitsubou suru' now gives you a 'big word' to use when you want to sound more serious about your feelings. Just remember: [Thing] + に + 失望しました (shitsubou shimashita). It's like saying 'I was disappointed in [Thing].' Keep it simple and use it when you really mean it!

At the A2 level, you are building your ability to describe personal experiences and emotions. 'Shitsubou suru' is useful when you want to talk about being let down by a specific event or person. You might use it in a diary entry or a simple letter to a friend. For example, 'I was disappointed in the movie' (Eiga ni shitsubou shimashita). You are also learning to use the 'te-form' to connect ideas. You can say 'Shitsubou shite, nakimashita' (I was disappointed and cried). At this stage, you should also notice that 'shitsubou' is a noun. So you can say 'Shitsubou no hi' (A day of disappointment). Start noticing this word in the news or simple stories—it usually appears when someone breaks a promise or a plan fails completely.

As a B1 learner, you are expected to handle more complex social situations and express opinions on abstract topics. 'Shitsubou suru' is a key vocabulary item for this level because it allows you to discuss social issues, politics, and deeper personal relationships. You should be comfortable using the particle 'ni' to mark the source of disappointment. You should also begin to distinguish between 'shitsubou suru' (serious disappointment) and 'gakkari suru' (casual letdown). In a B1 conversation, you might discuss your disappointment in a government policy or a company's service. You should also be able to use the causative form 'shitsubou saseru' to talk about disappointing others, which is an important part of making sophisticated apologies in Japanese culture.

At the B2 level, you should be able to use 'shitsubou suru' with nuance and precision. You will encounter it in complex texts, editorials, and formal speeches. You should understand idiomatic expressions like 'shitsubou no i' (feelings of disappointment) or 'shitsubou wo kinjienai' (cannot suppress disappointment). At this level, you are expected to understand the 'kango' (Sino-Japanese) nature of the word, which gives it a formal and academic tone. You should be able to contrast it with synonyms like 'rakutan' (discouragement) or 'genmetsu' (disillusionment) in a discussion about literature or social trends. Your usage should reflect an understanding of the word's gravity—using it appropriately to signal a significant breach of trust or a major failure of expectations.

At the C1 level, your use of 'shitsubou suru' should be native-like, incorporating it into complex grammatical structures and high-level discourse. You will analyze how 'shitsubou' is used in classical and modern literature to convey existential themes. You should be able to use the word in the passive, causative-passive, and various humble/honorific forms. For example, 'Goshitsubou sasete shimai...' in a formal business apology. You should also be familiar with how 'shitsubou' interacts with other abstract concepts like 'shinrai' (trust) and 'kitai' (expectation) in philosophical or sociological contexts. At this level, you are not just using the word; you are using it to paint a specific psychological picture of loss and the human condition.

At the C2 level, you possess a complete mastery of 'shitsubou suru' and its surrounding linguistic field. You can detect the subtle differences in tone when a writer chooses 'shitsubou' over 'rakutan' or 'zetsubou.' You can use the word in highly specialized domains, such as legal contexts (disappointment of contracts) or high-level political analysis. You understand the historical evolution of the kanji and how the concept of 'losing hope' has been expressed throughout Japanese history. You can engage in deep literary criticism, discussing how 'shitsubou' functions as a motif in a novel. Your usage is effortless, whether you are delivering a formal lecture or engaging in a heated intellectual debate, and you can manipulate the word's register to suit any possible social or professional situation.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

失望する in 30 Seconds

A formal verb meaning 'to be disappointed' or 'to lose hope.'
Uses the particle に (ni) to mark the cause of the disappointment.
Composed of kanji for 'loss' (失) and 'hope/expectation' (望).
Stronger and more serious than the casual 'gakkari suru'.

The Japanese verb 失望する (shitsubou suru) is a powerful expression that goes beyond the casual English 'I'm bummed.' Rooted in two profound kanji—失 (shitsu) meaning 'to lose' and 望 (bou) meaning 'hope' or 'expectation'—it literally translates to 'losing one's hope.' When a Japanese speaker uses this term, they are describing a deep emotional state where their expectations have been fundamentally crushed, or their trust in someone or something has vanished. It is a 'suru' verb, meaning it combines a noun with the verb 'to do,' creating a formal and structured way to express this heavy sentiment.

The Weight of Expectation: Unlike the onomatopoeic 'gakkari,' which captures the immediate, often temporary feeling of being let down, 失望する implies a more lasting and serious state. It is the difference between being sad your favorite ice cream is sold out and being crushed because a political leader failed to uphold their promises.
Social Context and Gravity: In Japanese society, where harmony and meeting expectations are highly valued, saying you are 'disappointed' in someone is a severe criticism. It suggests that the person has failed a moral or professional standard, not just a personal whim.

親の期待を裏切り、彼らに失望するようなことはしたくない。
(I don't want to betray my parents' expectations and do something that makes them feel disappointed.)

You will frequently encounter this word in news broadcasts, literature, and serious dramas. It is used to describe public reaction to scandals, the feeling of a coach after a crushing defeat, or the internal monologue of a character who has lost faith in humanity. Because of its weight, it is rarely used for trivial matters. You wouldn't usually say you are 失望した because it rained on your picnic; that would be too dramatic. Instead, you use it when the core of your 'hope' (望) has been 'lost' (失).

親友の嘘を知って、彼に深く失望した。
(Knowing my best friend's lie, I was deeply disappointed in him.)

Formal vs. Informal: While 'shitsubou suru' is standard, in very formal writing, you might see 'shitsubou wo kinjienai' (cannot help but feel disappointment). In casual speech, people prefer 'gakkari shita' or 'shokkku datta' (was a shock), saving 'shitsubou' for moments of genuine existential or relational crisis.

自分の不甲斐なさに失望する必要はない。次はもっとうまくいく。
(There is no need to be disappointed in your own worthlessness. Next time will go better.)

その映画の結末には多くのファンが失望した。
(Many fans were disappointed by the ending of that movie.)

The Passive Form: You can also use 'shitsubou saseru' (to make someone disappointed). This is often used when apologizing: 'Anata wo shitsubou sasete shimatte, moushiwake arimasen' (I am deeply sorry for disappointing you).

政府の対応に国民は失望している。
(The citizens are disappointed in the government's response.)

Using 失望する correctly requires understanding the grammar of emotion in Japanese. Most commonly, it functions as an intransitive verb where the person experiencing the emotion is the subject, and the target of the disappointment is marked with に (ni). This structure describes a state of being rather than an action performed upon an object. Let's explore the various ways this word integrates into different sentence levels and contexts.

Basic Structure: [Target] に失望する. This is the bedrock of the word's usage. Whether the target is a person, a situation, or oneself, the particle 'ni' connects the feeling to its source.

彼は自分自身に失望した。
(He was disappointed in himself.)

When you want to describe the *result* of disappointment, you might use the noun form 'shitsubou' followed by particles like 'no' or 'ni.' For instance, 'shitsubou no amari' (out of extreme disappointment) is a literary way to explain a subsequent action taken in a state of despair.

一度の失敗で失望するのはまだ早い。
(It is too early to be disappointed by a single failure.)

Causative Usage: To say 'to disappoint someone,' you use the causative form: 失望させる (shitsubou saseru). This is grammatically transitive, taking the person as the object with 'wo'.

君を失望させたくないんだ。
(I don't want to disappoint you.)

In advanced Japanese, 失望 is often paired with verbs like 'idaku' (to harbor) or 'ataeru' (to give). For example, 'shitsubou wo idaku' means to harbor a feeling of disappointment internally, emphasizing the lingering nature of the emotion. This is much more sophisticated than simply saying 'shitsubou shita.'

期待が大きかっただけに、失望も大きかった。
(Precisely because the expectations were high, the disappointment was also great.)

Descriptive Phrases: You can use 'shitsubou' as a modifier. 'Shitsubouteki na joukyou' (a disappointing/desperate situation) or 'shitsubou no manazashi' (a look of disappointment).

彼は失望の色を隠せなかった。
(He could not hide the look of disappointment on his face.)

While 失望する might seem like a word found only in textbooks, it is actually deeply embedded in Japanese media and formal discourse. Understanding where it appears helps you gauge its appropriate 'temperature.' It is a word of high emotional stakes, often appearing where values, trust, or the future are concerned.

News and Politics: This is perhaps the most common domain for the word. When a politician is caught in a scandal, news anchors will say 'Kokumin wa seiji ni shitsubou shite imasu' (The citizens are disappointed in politics). It signifies a collective loss of faith.

市場の反応に投資家は失望し、株価が急落した。
(Investors were disappointed by the market reaction, and stock prices plummeted.)

In the world of sports, you'll hear it from both athletes and commentators. If a national team loses a match they were expected to win, the headline might be 'Fans Shitsubou.' It captures the deflation of national pride. Athletes also use it in post-match interviews to express their frustration with their own performance: 'Jibun no purei ni shitsubou shimashita' (I was disappointed in my own play).

君がそんなことをするなんて、本当に失望したよ。
(I am truly disappointed that you would do such a thing.)

Business and Professionalism: In Japanese business culture, 'shitsubou' is a very heavy word. If a client says they are 'shitsubou shita' with your service, it often means the relationship is in serious jeopardy. It's not just a complaint; it's a statement that the trust foundation has crumbled.

新製品の機能の低さに、多くのユーザーが失望の声を上げている。
(Many users are voicing their disappointment at the low functionality of the new product.)

In literature, especially in the works of authors like Natsume Soseki or Osamu Dazai, the noun 'shitsubou' is used to describe a deep, existential despair. It is the 'loss of hope' in its purest form, often leading characters to withdraw from society. When reading such works, notice how 'shitsubou' is treated as a profound psychological state rather than a fleeting emotion.

彼は社会の不条理に失望し(Disappointed by the absurdities of society, he secluded himself in the mountains.)

Learning to use 失望する correctly involves avoiding a few common pitfalls that English speakers often fall into. Because the English word 'disappointed' is so versatile, learners tend to over-apply 'shitsubou suru' to situations where it sounds unnaturally dramatic or grammatically incorrect.

Mistake 1: Over-dramatization: Using 'shitsubou suru' for minor inconveniences. If you missed a bus, don't say 'Basu ni shitsubou shita.' That sounds like the bus betrayed your soul. Use 'gakkari shita' (I was bummed) or 'komatta' (I was in trouble) instead.
Mistake 2: Particle Confusion: Using 'wo' instead of 'ni' for the cause. You don't 'disappoint a thing' in Japanese grammar; you 'become disappointed *at* a thing.' Correct: 'Kekka ni shitsubou suru.' Incorrect: 'Kekka wo shitsubou suru.'

✕ 映画を失望した。
○ 映画に失望した。
(Correcting the particle error: Use 'ni' for the object of disappointment.)

Another common error is confusing 失望 (shitsubou) with 絶望 (zetsubou). While they look similar, 'zetsubou' means 'despair' or 'hopelessness' and is even more extreme. If 'shitsubou' is a broken promise, 'zetsubou' is the end of the world. Using 'zetsubou' when you mean 'shitsubou' can make you sound like a tragic anime protagonist in a normal conversation.

✕ 彼は仕事に絶望した (unless he truly has zero hope left).
○ 彼は仕事に失望した (he is disappointed with the work/company).
(Nuance check: Disappointment vs. Total Despair.)

Confusion with 'Zannen': 'Zannen' is an adjective used to describe a situation that is regrettable. 'Shitsubou suru' is a verb describing your internal emotional state. You say 'Zannen desu ne' (That's too bad) to empathize with someone, but you say 'Shitsubou shimashita' to express your own deep letdown.

✕ 私はあなたに残念だ。
○ 私はあなたに失望した。
(Regret vs. Disappointment: 'Zannen' doesn't take 'ni' to target a person in this way.)

Finally, remember that 'shitsubou suru' is a 'suru' verb. Don't forget the 'suru'! Simply saying 'shitsubou' is just the noun 'disappointment.' To say 'I was disappointed,' you must say 'shitsubou shimashita' or 'shitsubou shita.'

期待に応えられず、皆様を失望させてしまい、申し訳ありません。
(I am sorry for failing to meet expectations and disappointing everyone.)

Japanese has a rich vocabulary for expressing negative emotions, and choosing the right word for 'disappointment' depends entirely on the intensity and the cause. While 失望する is your 'go-to' for serious disappointment, these alternatives often fit better in specific contexts.

がっかりする (Gakkari suru): The most common casual alternative. It is onomatopoeic, mimicking the sound or feeling of shoulders dropping. Use this for everyday letdowns, like a rainy day or a sold-out ticket. It is less 'heavy' than shitsubou.
落胆する (Rakutan suru): Literally 'to drop one's courage/gallbladder.' It is a more formal, literary way to say someone is discouraged or crestfallen. It focuses more on the loss of energy and spirit following a disappointment.

試験に落ちて、彼はひどく落胆した。
(Failing the exam, he was terribly discouraged.)

Then there is 幻滅する (Genmetsu suru), which is a specific type of disappointment: disillusionment. It literally means 'the destruction of a fantasy.' Use this when you had a high, perhaps unrealistic, image of someone, and then you saw their true, flawed self.

憧れのスターの無礼な態度に幻滅した。
(I was disillusioned by the rude attitude of the star I admired.)

期待外れ (Kitai-hazure): A noun/adjective meaning 'contrary to expectations.' It is often used to describe things like movies, books, or meals. 'Kono resutoran wa kitai-hazure datta' (This restaurant was a letdown).
意気消沈する (Iki-shouchin suru): A four-kanji compound (yojijukugo) meaning to be dejected or dispirited. It's very formal and describes the physical state of being 'down in the dumps.'

試合に負けた後、チーム全体が意気消沈していた。
(After losing the game, the whole team was dejected.)

彼は失望のどん底に突き落とされた。
(He was thrust into the depths of disappointment/despair.)

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The kanji 望 (bou) originally depicted a person standing on a hill looking at the full moon, representing a high expectation or wish.

Pronunciation Guide

UK ɕitsɯboː sɯɾɯ

US ʃitsuboʊ suɾu

Heiban (flat) style in many dialects, but the 'bou' is held for two beats.

Rhymes With

Kibou (Hope) Zetsubou (Despair) Youbou (Request) Tenbou (Outlook) Boubou (Vast) Shubou (Leadership) Koubou (Light) Tanbou (Exploration)

Common Errors

Shortening the 'ou' in 'bou' to a short 'o'.
Pronouncing 'tsu' as two separate sounds.
Using an English 'r' sound in 'suru'.
Misplacing the pitch accent (should be relatively flat after the first syllable).
Over-emphasizing the 'u' in 'shitsu' (it is often devoiced).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Kanji are common but require attention to the long vowel.

Writing 4/5

The kanji 望 has many strokes and is easy to miswrite.

Speaking 2/5

Grammar is simple 'suru' verb, but nuance is tricky.

Listening 3/5

Must distinguish from 'zetsubou' or 'rakutan' in fast speech.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

失う (To lose) 望み (Hope) がっかり (Bummed) 期待 (Expectation) 残念 (Unfortunate)

Learn Next

絶望 (Despair) 落胆 (Discouragement) 幻滅 (Disillusionment) 不甲斐ない (Worthless/Pathetic) 裏切る (To betray)

Advanced

意気消沈 (Dejected) 憮然 (Disappointed/Stunned) 自暴自棄 (Desperation/Self-abandonment)

Grammar to Know

Suru-verbs

失望する、勉強する、料理する

Particle 'ni' for emotions

結果に失望する、犬を怖がる (exception), ニュースに驚く

Causative form (~saseru)

失望させる (to make someone disappointed)

Te-form for reasons

嘘を聞いて(reason)失望した(result)

Noun + no amari

失望のあまり (out of too much disappointment)

Examples by Level

テストの結果に失望しました。

I was disappointed in the test results.

Basic [Noun] ni shitsubou shimashita pattern.

彼は失望しています。

He is disappointed.

Present continuous form 'shitsubou shite imasu' to show current state.

失望しないでください。

Please don't be disappointed.

Negative request form '~naide kudasai'.

映画に失望しましたか？

Were you disappointed in the movie?

Question form ending in 'ka'.

私は少し失望しました。

I was a little disappointed.

Using 'sukoshi' (a little) to modify the intensity.

失望するのは良くないです。

It is not good to be disappointed.

Using 'no wa' to turn the verb into a subject.

彼女は失望して帰りました。

She was disappointed and went home.

Te-form used to connect two actions/states.

父は私に失望しました。

My father was disappointed in me.

Targeting a person with the particle 'ni'.

雨が降って、旅行に失望した。

It rained, and I was disappointed in the trip.

Using the plain past form 'shitsubou shita'.

彼は自分に失望してしまった。

He ended up being disappointed in himself.

Using '~te shimau' to show regret or completion.

失望したくないから、期待しない。

I don't want to be disappointed, so I don't expect anything.

Using the '~takunai' (don't want to) form.

そのニュースを聞いて失望した。

I was disappointed to hear that news.

Te-form of 'kiku' used to show the reason for the emotion.

みんなを失望させたくないです。

I don't want to disappoint everyone.

Causative form 'shitsubou saseru' (to make someone disappointed).

失望した顔をしないで。

Don't make a disappointed face.

Using 'shitsubou shita' as an adjective to modify 'kao' (face).

彼は失望のあまり、何も言わなかった。

He was so disappointed that he said nothing.

Noun form 'shitsubou' + 'no amari' (so much that...).

もし負けても、失望しないでね。

Even if we lose, don't be disappointed, okay?

Conditional 'moshi ~temo' (even if).

政府の新しい政策に国民は失望している。

The citizens are disappointed in the government's new policy.

Formal usage in a social context.

期待していただけに、失望も大きかった。

Because I had high expectations, the disappointment was also great.

Using 'dake ni' to show a proportional relationship.

彼は親友の裏切りに深く失望した。

He was deeply disappointed by his best friend's betrayal.

Adverb 'fukaku' (deeply) modifying the verb.

誰かを失望させるのは、とても辛いことだ。

Disappointing someone is a very painful thing.

Nominalizing the phrase with 'no wa'.

失望を乗り越えて、彼は再び立ち上がった。

Overcoming disappointment, he stood up again.

Using the noun 'shitsubou' as an object of 'norikoeru' (overcome).

彼の不誠実な態度に、皆が失望した。

Everyone was disappointed by his insincere attitude.

Using 'ni' to mark the reason (insincere attitude).

失望することもあるけれど、諦めないで。

There are times when you'll be disappointed, but don't give up.

Using 'koto mo aru' to mean 'there are times when...'.

彼女の言葉に失望を隠せなかった。

I couldn't hide my disappointment at her words.

Using 'wo kakusenai' (cannot hide).

その作家の新作は、ファンを失望させるものだった。

The author's new work was something that disappointed fans.

Causative form used as a descriptive phrase.

社会の不条理に失望し、彼は沈黙を選んだ。

Disappointed by the absurdity of society, he chose silence.

Literary tone with 'shitsubou shi' (pre-masu form for linking).

一度や二度の失敗で失望するには及ばない。

There is no need to be disappointed by one or two failures.

Grammar 'ni wa oyobanai' meaning 'no need to' or 'doesn't reach the point of'.

彼は失望の色を浮かべながら、部屋を出て行った。

He left the room with a look of disappointment on his face.

Phrase 'shitsubou no iro wo ukaberu' (to show a look of disappointment).

長年の努力が水の泡になり、彼は落胆し失望した。

His years of effort went down the drain, and he was discouraged and disappointed.

Pairing 'rakutan' and 'shitsubou' for emphasis.

期待が裏切られた時の失望感は計り知れない。

The feeling of disappointment when expectations are betrayed is immeasurable.

Compound noun 'shitsubou-kan' (feeling of disappointment).

人間に失望したと言いながら、彼は人を助け続けた。

While saying he was disappointed in humanity, he continued to help people.

Contrast using 'nagara' (while).

結果がどうあれ、自分を失望させるような真似はするな。

Regardless of the result, don't do anything that would make you disappointed in yourself.

Imperative 'suru na' (don't do) and 'shitsubou saseru' (causative).

近代合理主義の限界に直面し、多くの知識人が失望を禁じ得なかった。

Facing the limits of modern rationalism, many intellectuals could not help but feel disappointment.

Advanced pattern 'wo kinjienai' (cannot help but...).

その判決は、正義を信じる人々に深い失望を与えた。

The verdict gave deep disappointment to those who believe in justice.

Using 'shitsubou wo ataeru' (to give/inflict disappointment).

彼は理想と現実の乖離に失望し、隠遁生活に入った。

Disappointed by the gap between ideal and reality, he entered a life of seclusion.

Vocabulary 'kairi' (gap/estrangement) and 'inton' (seclusion).

期待という名の重圧が、彼を失望の淵へと追いやった。

The pressure known as expectation drove him to the abyss of disappointment.

Metaphorical 'shitsubou no fuchi' (abyss of disappointment).

自らの信念を曲げてまで成功を追う姿に、私は失望を禁じ得ない。

I cannot help but feel disappointment at the sight of someone chasing success even if it means bending their own beliefs.

Complex sentence with 'made' and 'wo kinjienai'.

失望は、新たな希望を見出すための試練に過ぎない。

Disappointment is nothing more than a trial for finding new hope.

Philosophical usage with 'ni suginai' (nothing more than).

彼の変節ぶりには、長年の支持者も失望の色を隠せなかった。

Even long-time supporters could not hide their disappointment at his change of heart.

Vocabulary 'hensetsu' (changing one's principles).

如何なる困難に直面しようとも、国民を失望させることは許されない。

No matter what difficulties are faced, disappointing the citizens is not permitted.

Formal 'ikanaru ~temo' and 'yurusarenai' (passive of permission).

漱石の文学に通底するのは、近代化という奔流に対する根源的な失望である。

What runs through Soseki's literature is a fundamental disappointment with the torrent of modernization.

High-level literary analysis syntax.

人間存在の不条理を剔抉する彼の筆致には、冷徹な失望が漂っている。

In his writing style, which exposes the absurdity of human existence, there drifts a cold, detached disappointment.

Vocabulary 'tekisetsu' (exposing) and 'hitchi' (writing style).

ユートピアの崩壊は、進歩を信奉した世代に癒い難い失望を刻み込んだ。

The collapse of utopia carved an incurable disappointment into the generation that believed in progress.

Metaphorical 'kizamikonda' (carved/engraved).

彼は、失望という名の劇薬を飲み干すことで、自己の魂を浄化しようとした。

He tried to purify his soul by drinking the powerful medicine known as disappointment.

Highly metaphorical and philosophical language.

絶対的な他者への失望こそが、真の自己認識の端緒となるのである。

It is precisely disappointment in the absolute 'other' that becomes the beginning of true self-awareness.

Existentialist philosophical phrasing.

政治的無関心の裏側には、度重なる裏切りに対する沈黙の失望が潜んでいる。

Behind political apathy lurks a silent disappointment toward repeated betrayals.

Sociological analysis tone.

彼女の眼差しに宿る失望は、言葉による如何なる慰めも拒絶していた。

The disappointment dwelling in her gaze rejected any kind of verbal consolation.

Personifying 'shitsubou' as something that 'dwells' and 'rejects'.

歴史の転換点において、民衆の失望はしばしば破壊的なエネルギーへと変貌を遂げる。

At turning points in history, the disappointment of the masses often undergoes a transformation into destructive energy.

Historical/Sociological narrative style.

Common Collocations

自分に失望する

国民を失望させる

深く失望する

結果に失望する

失望の色を隠せない

期待を裏切って失望させる

将来に失望する

社会に失望する

失望のどん底

失望を禁じ得ない

Common Phrases

失望しました

— Formal 'I was disappointed.' Used to express a serious letdown.

あなたの嘘には本当に失望しました。

失望させないで

— Don't disappoint me. Often used by parents or mentors.

次の試合では失望させないでくれよ。

失望のあまり

— Due to extreme disappointment. Explains a subsequent action.

彼は失望のあまり、会社を辞めた。

自分に失望した

— I was disappointed in myself. Common in self-reflection.

約束を守れず、自分に失望した。

失望を味わう

— To taste/experience disappointment. Literary.

彼は人生で多くの失望を味わってきた。

失望を買う

— To incur disappointment (from others).

彼の不誠実な行動は、周囲の失望を買った。

失望の念

— Feelings of disappointment. Very formal.

遺憾の意と共に、強い失望の念を表明する。

失望の声

— Voices of disappointment. Used in news reports.

ファンからは失望の声が上がっている。

失望を誘う

— To invite/cause disappointment.

その中途半端な説明は、聴衆の失望を誘った。

失望のどん底に落ちる

— To fall into the depths of disappointment.

計画が全て失敗し、彼は失望のどん底に落ちた。

Often Confused With

失望する vs 絶望 (zetsubou)

Zetsubou means total despair/hopelessness. Shitsubou is 'just' disappointment.

失望する vs 残念 (zannen)

Zannen is 'unfortunate/regrettable' (external situation). Shitsubou is 'disappointed' (internal feeling).

失望する vs 落胆 (rakutan)

Rakutan is specifically being 'discouraged' or 'downhearted' after a failure.

Idioms & Expressions

"失望の色を隠せない"

— Unable to hide the signs of disappointment on one's face.

落選が決まり、彼は失望の色を隠せなかった。

Literary/Journalistic

"失望を禁じ得ない"

— Cannot help but feel a strong sense of disappointment.

今回の不祥事には、国民として失望を禁じ得ない。

Formal/Written

"期待が大きければ失望も大きい"

— The greater the expectation, the greater the disappointment.

優勝を確信していただけに、負けた時の失望も大きかった。

Common Wisdom

"失望の淵に沈む"

— To sink into the abyss/depths of disappointment.

夢が破れ、彼女は失望の淵に沈んでいた。

Literary

"失望の極み"

— The height/extreme of disappointment.

信頼していた部下の裏切りは、失望の極みだった。

Formal

"失望に打ちひしがれる"

— To be crushed/devastated by disappointment.

彼は失恋し、失望に打ちひしがれている。

Literary

"失望を肥やしにする"

— To use disappointment as fertilizer (for growth).

この失望を肥やしにして、次は必ず成功させよう。

Inspirational

"失望の雨が降る"

— Metaphor for a situation where everyone is feeling let down.

不祥事の発覚後、会社には失望の雨が降り注いだ。

Poetic

"失望を胸に刻む"

— To carve disappointment into one's heart (not to forget it).

彼はこの失望を胸に刻み、修行に出た。

Dramatic

"失望を糧にする"

— To turn disappointment into food/fuel for the future.

失敗による失望を糧にして、彼は成長した。

Positive

Easily Confused

失望する vs がっかり

Both mean disappointed.

Gakkari is casual/onomatopoeic; Shitsubou is formal/serious.

Gakkari: I missed the bus. Shitsubou: My friend betrayed me.

失望する vs 幻滅

Both involve negative feelings toward someone.

Genmetsu is disillusionment (losing an idolized image).

I was genmetsu when I saw the star smoking.

失望する vs 期待外れ

Both mean expectations weren't met.

Kitai-hazure is usually used for objects/services, not your own soul.

This hotel was kitai-hazure.

失望する vs 遺憾

Both used in formal apologies.

Ikan is 'regrettable' and often used by officials to avoid personal blame.

It is ikan (regrettable) that this happened.

失望する vs 悲しい

Disappointment makes you sad.

Kanashii is a general feeling of sadness; Shitsubou is tied to expectations.

I am kanashii because my dog died (not shitsubou).

Sentence Patterns

[Noun] に失望しました。

テストに失望しました。

[Verb-te] 失望しました。

負けて失望しました。

[Person] を失望させたくない。

両親を失望させたくない。

期待していただけに、[Noun] に失望した。

期待していただけに、結果に失望した。

[Noun] に失望の色を隠せない。

彼は敗北に失望の色を隠せない。

失望のあまり、[Result]。

失望のあまり、泣き出した。

[Noun] に失望を禁じ得ない。

政府の対応に失望を禁じ得ない。

失望を糧にして、[Success]。

失望を糧にして、成功を掴んだ。

Word Family

Nouns

失望 (shitsubou - disappointment)

失望感 (shitsubou-kan - feeling of disappointment)

Verbs

失望する (shitsubou suru - to be disappointed)

失望させる (shitsubou saseru - to disappoint someone)

Adjectives

失望的な (shitsubouteki na - disappointing/hopeless)

望み (nozomi - hope)

失う (ushinau - to lose)

期待 (kitai - expectation)

落胆 (rakutan - discouragement)

絶望 (zetsubou - despair)

How to Use It

frequency

High in news, medium-high in literature, medium in daily conversation (reserved for serious topics).

Common Mistakes

Using 'wo' instead of 'ni' → Kekka ni shitsubou shita.
You are disappointed 'at' or 'in' something, not 'disappointing' the object.
Using it for trivial things → Ame de gakkari shita.
'Shitsubou' is too heavy for weather or minor inconveniences.
Confusing with 'zannen' → Anata ni shitsubou shita.
'Anata ni zannen' is grammatically incorrect for 'I'm disappointed in you.'
Shortening the 'ou' → Shitsubou (long o).
Pronouncing it as 'shitsubo' makes it hard to understand.
Forgetting 'suru' → Shitsubou shimashita.
'Shitsubou' alone is just a noun; you need the verb to express the action/state.

Tips

Avoid for small things

Don't use 'shitsubou' for missing a bus or a cold cup of coffee. It sounds like a Greek tragedy.

Target with 'ni'

Always remember that the person or thing you are disappointed in takes the particle 'ni'.

Be careful with 'you'

Saying 'Anata ni shitsubou shita' can permanently end a friendship in Japan. It's very heavy.

Use for news/essays

This is a great word to use when writing about social issues or serious character developments.

Listen for 'saseru'

If you hear 'shitsubou saseta,' it means someone *caused* disappointment to someone else.

Learn the family

Knowing 'shitsubou-kan' and 'shitsubou-teki' will make your Japanese sound much more advanced.

Lost Hope

Just keep the kanji meanings in mind: Lose + Hope. It's the most literal translation.

Softening the blow

If you must express disappointment, start with 'Moushiwake nai no desu ga...' (I'm sorry, but...).

Shitsubou vs Zetsubou

Shitsubou is 'I'm let down.' Zetsubou is 'There is no light left in the world.' Don't mix them up!

Journaling

Try writing about a time a character in a book or movie felt 'shitsubou' to practice the third-person usage.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'SHITSU' as 'Sheet' and 'BOU' as 'Bow.' You lost your favorite 'Sheet' and now you have to 'Bow' in disappointment.

Visual Association

Imagine a person holding a balloon labeled 'HOPE' (望). The balloon pops (失), and the person looks down in disappointment.

Word Web

Hope Loss Trust Expectation Sadness Failure News Politics

Challenge

Write three things that would make you feel 'shitsubou' (serious things only!) using the particle 'ni'.

Word Origin

Sino-Japanese (Kango) origin. It entered the Japanese language via Chinese characters.

Original meaning: To lose (失) hope or expectations (望).

Japonic (using Chinese characters).

Cultural Context

Be careful when saying 'shitsubou shita' to someone's face; it is a very strong personal attack.

English speakers use 'disappointed' for everything from cold coffee to lost jobs. In Japanese, 'shitsubou' is reserved for the 'lost jobs' end of the spectrum.

Natsume Soseki's novels often deal with intellectual disappointment in modern society. The phrase 'Kokumin wa seiji ni shitsubou shite iru' is a staple of Japanese political news. Many Samurai stories involve the disappointment of a lord in his retainer.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Politics/News

国民の失望
政治への失望
失望を禁じ得ない
失望の声

Relationships

君に失望した
裏切られて失望する
失望させないで
親の失望

Sports

ファンを失望させる
結果に失望する
自分に失望した
失望の敗戦

Business

サービスの質に失望
期待外れで失望
顧客を失望させる
失望売り

Self-Reflection

自分の不甲斐なさに失望
失望を乗り越える
失望を糧にする
自己失望

Conversation Starters

"最近、何かに失望したことはありますか？ (Have you been disappointed in anything lately?)"

"期待していた映画が期待外れだった時、どう感じますか？ (How do you feel when a movie you expected to be good is a letdown?)"

"自分自身に失望したとき、どうやって立ち直りますか？ (When you are disappointed in yourself, how do you recover?)"

"政治家に対して失望を感じることはありますか？ (Do you ever feel disappointment toward politicians?)"

"「失望」と「がっかり」の違いは何だと思いますか？ (What do you think is the difference between 'shitsubou' and 'gakkari'?) Gold."

Journal Prompts

今までで一番失望した出来事について書いてください。 (Write about the event that disappointed you the most so far.)

人を失望させないために、あなたが気をつけていることは何ですか？ (What do you take care to do in order not to disappoint people?)

社会に対して失望を感じる瞬間はどんな時ですか？ (What are the moments when you feel disappointment toward society?)

失望をどのようにして希望に変えることができると思いますか？ (How do you think disappointment can be turned into hope?)

誰かに失望されたとき、どのように謝罪するのが最善だと思いますか？ (When someone is disappointed in you, what do you think is the best way to apologize?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

It's usually too strong. Use 'kitai-hazure' or 'amari oishikunai' unless the meal was so bad it made you lose hope in the restaurant's future.

Use 'ni' for the target (disappointed *in* X). Use 'de' for the cause/reason (disappointed *because of* X). 'Ni' is much more common.

It is both. 'Shitsubou' is the noun (disappointment), and 'shitsubou suru' is the verb (to be disappointed).

Directly saying this is very harsh. You might say 'Zannen desu' or 'Kitai shite ita no desu ga...' (I was expecting more, but...).

Yes, very often! Villains say it when heroes fail, or heroes say it when friends betray them.

Rarely, but it can be used in phrases like 'shitsubou wo kate ni suru' (using disappointment as fuel for growth).

It means 'the sense of disappointment' or 'the feeling of being disappointed.' It's a common noun.

It is 'shitsubou' with a long 'o'. The 'u' at the end makes the 'o' sound longer.

No, that sounds very strange. Use 'zannen' or 'gakkari' for weather.

The most direct opposite is 'manzoku' (satisfaction) or 'kibou' (hope).