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B1 adjective 12 min read

besviken

Examples besviken in 30 Seconds
Explanation besviken in your Level:
At the A1 level, you should know that 'besviken' means 'disappointed'. It is a word you use when you are sad because something you wanted did not happen. For example, if you want to go to the park but it rains, you can say 'Jag är besviken'. At this level, focus on the most basic form: 'Jag är besviken' (I am disappointed) and 'Han är besviken' (He is disappointed). You don't need to worry too much about complex grammar yet, just remember that it describes a feeling. It is a good word to use when you want to express a simple negative emotion that is more specific than just being sad. In Swedish, we say 'besviken' for one person and 'besvikna' if there are many people. So, 'Vi är besvikna' means 'We are disappointed'. If you are talking about an 'ett' word, like 'barnet' (the child), you say 'Barnet är besviket'. But as a beginner, you will mostly use 'besviken' to talk about yourself or your friends. Try to use it in simple sentences like 'Filmen var dålig, jag är besviken.' This shows you can express a reason for your feeling. Learning this word early helps you move beyond basic 'bra' (good) and 'dålig' (bad) descriptions of your day. It is a very common word in Sweden, so you will hear it often in simple conversations.
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At the A2 level, you start to use 'besviken' with prepositions to explain why you feel that way. The most important preposition to learn is 'på'. We use 'på' when we are disappointed in a person. For example: 'Jag är besviken på min kompis' (I am disappointed in my friend). You should also learn 'över', which we use for things or situations: 'Jag är besviken över resultatet' (I am disappointed about the result). At this level, you should be able to change the adjective to match the noun correctly every time. Remember the three forms: besviken (en-words), besviket (ett-words), and besvikna (plural). You can also start using the verb 'bli' (to become) with this word. Instead of just saying 'I am disappointed', you can say 'Jag blev besviken' (I became disappointed). This is useful for telling stories about things that happened in the past. For example: 'Det regnade igår, så jag blev besviken.' You might also hear the noun form 'en besvikelse' (a disappointment), but for now, focus on using the adjective correctly. A2 learners should be able to use 'besviken' in short dialogues, like when a friend cancels a meeting: 'Okej, jag förstår, men jag blir lite besviken.' This adds more nuance to your Swedish and allows you to express your feelings politely but clearly.
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At the B1 level, you are expected to use 'besviken' fluently in various contexts. You should understand that this word carries a specific emotional weight related to expectations. You can now use it with subclauses starting with 'att' (that). For example: 'Jag är besviken över att du inte kunde komma på festen' (I am disappointed that you couldn't come to the party). This level requires you to distinguish between 'besviken' and similar words like 'missnöjd' (dissatisfied). You should know that 'besviken' is more personal and emotional, while 'missnöjd' is often used for services or products. You can also start using adverbs to modify the intensity, such as 'ganska besviken' (quite disappointed) or 'väldigt besviken' (very disappointed). In your writing, you should be able to describe a situation that led to disappointment using several sentences. For example, describing a holiday that didn't go as planned: 'Vi hade sett fram emot resan länge, men hotellet var smutsigt och personalen var otrevlig. Vi blev verkligen besvikna på hela upplevelsen.' At B1, you should also be comfortable using the plural form 'besvikna' in more complex sentences involving groups of people, like 'Väljarna var besvikna på politikernas löften.' This shows you can apply grammar rules to more abstract subjects like 'voter' or 'the public'. You are now moving from just expressing a feeling to explaining the social and logical reasons behind it.
At the B2 level, you should have a nuanced understanding of 'besviken' and its role in Swedish social interaction. You recognize that expressing disappointment can be a way of providing feedback in a professional or personal setting. You should be able to use the word in more formal contexts, such as a letter of complaint or a work email. For instance: 'Jag är besviken över den bristande kommunikationen i projektet.' You are also familiar with common idiomatic expressions and the noun 'besvikelse' (disappointment). You can use 'besviken' to discuss abstract concepts like 'samhället' (society) or 'framtiden' (the future). At this level, you should also be aware of the word's position in complex sentence structures, including those with inverted word order. For example: 'Trots alla förberedelser blev han ändå besviken.' You can accurately choose between 'på', 'över', and 'för' based on the subtle differences in meaning. You also start to use synonyms like 'nedslagen' or 'missbelåten' to vary your language. Your pronunciation should be natural, with the correct stress on the second syllable (be-SVI-ken). You understand the cultural aspect of being 'besviken' in a society that values 'lagom' and consensus; expressing disappointment is often a serious matter and is handled with a certain level of directness but also politeness. You can discuss how expectations influence our happiness and use 'besviken' as a key term in these discussions.
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At the C1 level, you use 'besviken' with precision and stylistic awareness. You can identify the emotional undertones it brings to literary texts and high-level journalism. You are capable of using the word to describe complex psychological states, such as 'existentiell besvikelse' (existential disappointment). You understand how to use the word to create specific effects in your writing, perhaps by pairing it with sophisticated adverbs like 'bittert' (bitterly), 'djupt' (deeply), or 'innerligt' (sincerely). For example: 'Han var bittert besviken över livets vändningar.' You also understand the historical and etymological roots of the word, recognizing its connection to 'svika' (to fail/betray). This allows you to see the link between being disappointed and feeling that someone has failed their duty or promise. You can use 'besviken' in academic or professional critiques to point out where a theory or a policy has failed to meet its stated goals. Your usage is indistinguishable from a native speaker, and you can navigate the subtle differences between 'besviken', 'försmådd' (spurned), and 'desillusionerad' (disillusioned). You are also comfortable using the word in ironic or sarcastic ways, which is a hallmark of advanced language proficiency. For instance, 'Jag är inte besviken, jag är bara imponerad av din förmåga att alltid göra fel,' where the disappointment is implied through contrast. At C1, 'besviken' is not just a vocabulary word; it is a tool for nuanced emotional and intellectual expression.
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At the C2 level, your mastery of 'besviken' is complete. You understand its every nuance, from its use in classical Swedish literature to modern slang. You can participate in deep philosophical debates about the nature of expectation and disappointment, using the word and its derivatives with absolute accuracy. You are aware of the word's rhythmic properties in poetry and its rhetorical power in speeches. You can analyze how the word 'besviken' functions in the 'Swedish model' of communication, where overt conflict is often avoided, making the expression of disappointment a key tool for social regulation. You can use the word in extremely formal legal or diplomatic contexts where every shade of meaning matters. For example, describing a nation's response to a treaty violation: 'Regeringen uttryckte att man var djupt besviken på motpartens agerande.' You are also familiar with archaic or rare uses of the word and can appreciate how its meaning has shifted slightly over centuries. You can mentor others on the correct usage, explaining the subtle difference between 'att känna sig besviken' (to feel disappointed) and 'att vara besviken' (to be disappointed) in terms of duration and intensity. Your command of the word allows you to use it as a pivot point in complex narratives, marking a shift in a character's journey or a change in a political climate. Essentially, the word is an integrated part of your vast linguistic repertoire, used with effortless precision.
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Examples

besviken in 30 Seconds

  • Besviken means disappointed in Swedish.
  • Use 'på' for people and 'över' for things.

The Swedish word besviken is an adjective that translates directly to 'disappointed' in English. It describes a specific emotional state where an individual's expectations, hopes, or desires have not been met by a person, an event, or a result. In Swedish culture, where social contracts and punctuality are highly valued, feeling besviken often carries a weight of letdown regarding a perceived promise or standard. It is more specific than simply being 'sad' (ledsen); it implies a prior positive expectation that has been frustrated.

Emotional Nuance
While sadness is a broad emotion, being besviken involves a cognitive element of comparison between what was hoped for and the actual reality. It often suggests a sense of injustice or a failure of effort from another party.
Social Context
Swedes may use this word to express dissatisfaction with public services, personal relationships, or professional outcomes. It is a powerful word to use in feedback because it signals that a trust or expectation has been breached.
Grammatical Agreement
As an adjective, it must agree with the noun it describes. For 'en' words, use besviken; for 'ett' words, use besviket; and for plural or definite forms, use besvikna.

To truly understand the depth of this word, one must consider the Swedish concept of reliability. When someone says they are besviken på dig (disappointed in you), it is often considered a more serious critique than simply being angry, as it touches upon your character or reliability. It is a common sentiment in sports commentary when a national team underperforms, or in politics when a reform fails to deliver promised results.

Hon blev djupt besviken när hon inte fick jobbet hon hade sökt så länge.

Translation: She became deeply disappointed when she did not get the job she had applied for for so long.

Publiken var besviken på lagets svaga insats i finalen.

Translation: The audience was disappointed in the team's weak performance in the final.

Det är lätt att bli besviken om man har för höga förväntningar.

Translation: It is easy to become disappointed if one has too high expectations.

Barnen såg besvikna ut när det inte blev någon glass efter maten.

Translation: The children looked disappointed when there was no ice cream after the meal.

Resultatet var ett besviket konstaterande av verkligheten.

Translation: The result was a disappointed acknowledgement of reality.

Furthermore, the word is frequently paired with adverbs to emphasize the degree of the emotion. You will often hear djupt besviken (deeply disappointed), oerhört besviken (immensely disappointed), or lite besviken (a bit disappointed). In literature, it is used to describe the internal state of characters who face existential letdowns. In daily life, it is the standard response to a rainy vacation or a cancelled concert. Because Swedish communication tends to be direct yet tempered, besviken provides a clear label for a negative outcome that focuses on the event rather than attacking the person's character directly, though it still carries significant emotional weight.

Using besviken correctly requires attention to both the subject it describes and the object causing the disappointment. The word functions as a predicative adjective (following a verb like 'to be' or 'to become') and an attributive adjective (placed before a noun). Understanding the agreement rules is the first step for any learner. If you are talking about yourself (jag) or another person (han/hon), you use the basic form besviken. If you are referring to a neuter noun like barnet (the child) or resultatet (the result), you must use besviket. For plural subjects like vi (we) or de (they), the form becomes besvikna.

The 'På' Construction
Use 'på' when the source of disappointment is a person or a specific entity. Example: 'Jag är besviken på min bror' (I am disappointed in my brother). This implies a personal connection or expectation of behavior.
The 'Över' Construction
Use 'över' when the source is a situation, an event, or a general outcome. Example: 'Vi är besvikna över vädret' (We are disappointed about the weather). This focuses on external circumstances.
The 'För' Construction
Occasionally, 'för' is used to indicate the reason behind the disappointment in a more causal sense, though 'över' is more common in modern Swedish for this purpose.

Let's look at more complex sentence structures. It is common to follow the adjective with a subclause starting with att (that). For example: 'Jag är besviken över att du inte kom' (I am disappointed that you did not come). This allows you to specify the exact action that led to the feeling. Another common pattern is using the verb bli (to become) to show a change in state: 'Han blev besviken när han läste brevet' (He became disappointed when he read the letter).

Är du besviken på mig för att jag glömde din födelsedag?

Translation: Are you disappointed in me because I forgot your birthday?

De kände sig besvikna efter att ha förlorat matchen trots hårt arbete.

Translation: They felt disappointed after losing the match despite hard work.

Ett besviket uttryck spred sig över hans ansikte när han såg betyget.

Translation: A disappointed expression spread across his face when he saw the grade.

When writing, remember that besviken is often modified by degree adverbs. To sound more native, use ganska besviken (quite disappointed) for mild cases, or grymt besviken (cruelly/extremely disappointed) in informal slang contexts. In formal writing, beklagligt besviken might be used to express a professional regret. The flexibility of the word across different registers makes it a vital part of a B1 learner's vocabulary. Whether you are writing a letter of complaint or telling a friend about a bad movie, besviken is your go-to term for expressing that reality didn't live up to the hype.

In Sweden, you will hear besviken in a wide variety of daily scenarios. It is a staple of Swedish media, particularly in news reporting and sports commentary. When a politician's promise isn't kept, journalists will ask the public if they are besvikna. In the world of sports, after a loss, the captain of the team will almost certainly start the interview by saying 'Vi är oerhört besvikna idag' (We are immensely disappointed today). This commonality makes it one of the most recognizable emotional adjectives in the language.

In the Workplace
During performance reviews (medarbetarsamtal), a manager might say, 'Jag är lite besviken på din leverans den här månaden.' It’s a way to be critical without being confrontational, focusing on the gap between expectation and reality.
Customer Service
If a Swede calls a support line, they might start with 'Jag är besviken över att min leverans är sen.' This is a polite but firm way to voice a complaint.
Family and Friends
In personal life, it's used to express hurt feelings. 'Jag blev så besviken när du inte ringde.' It signals that the relationship's expectations weren't met.

You will also encounter besviken in cultural products like songs and movies. Swedish pop music often explores themes of heartbreak and 'besvikelse' (the noun form, meaning disappointment). It captures that melancholy feeling so prevalent in Nordic art—the realization that things aren't as perfect as they seemed. In reality TV shows, contestants frequently describe their 'besvikelse' over being voted out or failing a challenge.

Nyheterna rapporterade att väljarna var besvikna på de nya skattereglerna.

Translation: The news reported that voters were disappointed with the new tax rules.

Tränaren sa att han inte var arg, bara väldigt besviken.

Translation: The coach said he wasn't angry, just very disappointed.

In social media, the word is used in product reviews or when discussing the latest episode of a TV series. A common phrase is 'Vilken besvikelse!' (What a disappointment!), used as an exclamation when something fails to live up to expectations. Whether you're browsing Swedish Twitter (X) or listening to a podcast about relationships, besviken is omnipresent because it captures a fundamental human reaction to the gap between our dreams and our reality.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make when using besviken is failing to apply the correct adjective endings. Because English doesn't change 'disappointed' based on the subject, it's easy to forget that Swedish does. Remember: Jag är besviken, but Huset var besviket (if a house could feel disappointment) and Vi är besvikna. Another common error involves prepositions. Many learners try to translate 'disappointed in' literally as 'besviken i', which is incorrect. In Swedish, you are besviken på someone.

Mistaking 'Besviken' for 'Ledsen'
While both words involve negative emotions, they are not interchangeable. 'Ledsen' is 'sad' and can be caused by anything. 'Besviken' specifically requires a failed expectation. Don't say you are 'besviken' because your dog died; say you are 'ledsen'.
Preposition Confusion: På vs. Över
Learners often mix these up. Use 'på' for people and 'över' for things/events. Saying 'Jag är besviken på resultatet' is common but 'över' is technically more precise for inanimate objects.
Confusing 'Besviken' with 'Bedragen'
'Bedragen' means 'cheated' or 'betrayed'. While you might be 'besviken' if someone cheats on you, 'bedragen' is the specific word for the act of betrayal. 'Besviken' is your reaction to it.

Another subtle mistake is the pronunciation of the 'v' and the stress. Some learners put the stress on the first syllable (BE-sviken), but it should be on the second (be-SVI-ken). Also, ensure you don't confuse the adjective besviken with the noun besvikelse. You cannot say 'Jag är en besvikelse' to mean 'I am disappointed'; that actually means 'I am a disappointment'. To express your own feeling, always use the adjective form.

Fel: Jag är besviken i dig.

Rätt: Jag är besviken på dig.

Explanation: Always use 'på' when disappointed in a person.

Fel: Vi är besviken.

Rätt: Vi är besvikna.

Explanation: Plural subjects require the '-na' ending.

Finally, be careful with the word 'missnöjd' (dissatisfied). While similar, 'missnöjd' is often used for services or products where you aren't necessarily emotionally hurt, just not satisfied with the quality. 'Besviken' is deeper and more emotional. If a meal is cold, you are 'missnöjd'. If your best friend forgets your wedding, you are 'besviken'. Understanding these nuances will help you communicate your feelings more accurately and sound like a more advanced Swedish speaker.

Swedish has several words that touch upon the feeling of disappointment, each with its own specific flavor. Choosing the right one depends on the intensity of the feeling and the context of the situation. While besviken is the most versatile and common, knowing these alternatives will enrich your vocabulary and allow for more precise expression.

Missnöjd vs. Besviken
'Missnöjd' means dissatisfied. It is less emotional than besviken. You are missnöjd with a product or a service. You are besviken when a person lets you down or a dream fails.
Ledsen vs. Besviken
'Ledsen' is the general word for sad or sorry. All disappointment involves being ledsen, but not all sadness is disappointment. Besviken always implies a 'should have been' that didn't happen.
Nedslagen vs. Besviken
'Nedslagen' means dejected or discouraged. It is a heavier state than besviken, often used after a series of disappointments where one feels like giving up.
Snuvad vs. Besviken
'Snuvad' is an informal word meaning 'cheated out of' or 'robbed of' an opportunity. It is a more active, slightly annoyed form of disappointment. 'Jag blev snuvad på vinsten' (I was cheated out of the win).

In more formal or literary contexts, you might encounter missbelåten, which is a formal way of saying dissatisfied or discontented. It is often used in official documents or older literature. On the other hand, in very casual Swedish, you might hear someone say they are låg (low), which can encompass feeling disappointed but is more about a general mood.

Hon var inte bara besviken, hon var direkt förtvivlad.

Translation: She wasn't just disappointed, she was outright despairing.

Kunden var missnöjd med servicen på restaurangen.

Translation: The customer was dissatisfied with the service at the restaurant.

Understanding these distinctions helps you navigate social situations more effectively. If you tell a Swede you are besviken, they will likely feel a need to explain or apologize. If you say you are missnöjd, they will look for a practical solution. Using besviken correctly allows you to tap into the emotional landscape of the Swedish language, expressing not just what happened, but how it affected your hopes and trust.

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Examples by Level

1

Jag är besviken.

I am disappointed.

Basic subject + verb + adjective structure.

2

Är du besviken?

Are you disappointed?

Question form with verb first.

3

Han är besviken på maten.

He is disappointed with the food.

Using 'på' for a specific object of disappointment.

4

Vi är besvikna.

We are disappointed.

Plural form ending in -na.

5

Filmen var dålig, så hon är besviken.

The movie was bad, so she is disappointed.

Simple cause and effect sentence.

6

Barnet är besviket.

The child is disappointed.

Neuter form ending in -et for 'barnet'.

7

De är inte besvikna.

They are not disappointed.

Negation using 'inte'.

8

Jag blir besviken.

I am becoming disappointed.

Using the verb 'bli' to show change of state.

1

Jag är besviken på dig.

I am disappointed in you.

Standard preposition 'på' for people.

2

Hon blev besviken över presenten.

She became disappointed about the gift.

Using 'över' for objects/situations.

3

Vi var besvikna efter matchen.

We were disappointed after the match.

Plural agreement and past tense.

4

Är ni besvikna på resultatet?

Are you (plural) disappointed with the result?

Plural 'ni' and plural 'besvikna'.

5

Det var ett besviket barn som gick hem.

It was a disappointed child who went home.

Attributive use with neuter noun 'barn'.

6

Jag är lite besviken, men det går bra.

I am a bit disappointed, but it's okay.

Using the adverb 'lite' to modify intensity.

7

Han känner sig ofta besviken.

He often feels disappointed.

Reflexive verb 'känner sig' + adjective.

8

Varför ser du så besviken ut?

Why do you look so disappointed?

Using 'se ... ut' (to look like).

1

Jag är besviken över att resan blev inställd.

I am disappointed that the trip was cancelled.

Using a subclause starting with 'att'.

2

Många är besvikna på regeringens nya beslut.

Many are disappointed with the government's new decision.

Plural 'många' and plural 'besvikna'.

3

Han blev djupt besviken när han inte fick jobbet.

He became deeply disappointed when he didn't get the job.

Adverb 'djupt' for emphasis.

4

Är du besviken på mig för att jag glömde ringa?

Are you disappointed in me because I forgot to call?

Complex sentence with 'på mig' and 'för att'.

5

Vi kände oss besvikna över den dåliga servicen.

We felt disappointed about the poor service.

Past tense reflexive verb + plural adjective.

6

Resultatet var en stor besvikelse för hela laget.

The result was a great disappointment for the whole team.

Introducing the noun form 'besvikelse'.

7

Man kan inte låta bli att bli besviken ibland.

One cannot help but become disappointed sometimes.

Generic subject 'man' and infinitive 'bli'.

8

Hon gav honom en besviken blick.

She gave him a disappointed look.

Attributive use with 'en' word 'blick'.

1

Trots höga förväntningar blev publiken besviken.

Despite high expectations, the audience was disappointed.

Inverted word order after a prepositional phrase.

2

Det är förståeligt att de är besvikna på utvecklingen.

It is understandable that they are disappointed with the development.

Using 'det är förståeligt att' to introduce a clause.

3

Jag är oerhört besviken över hur situationen har hanterats.

I am immensely disappointed with how the situation has been handled.

Adverb 'oerhört' and perfect participle 'hanterats'.

4

Han dolde sin besvikelse bakom ett leende.

He hid his disappointment behind a smile.

Using the noun 'besvikelse' as an object.

5

De var besvikna över att förhandlingarna strandade.

They were disappointed that the negotiations stalled.

Advanced vocabulary 'strandade' (stalled/failed).

6

Var inte så besviken, det kommer fler chanser.

Don't be so disappointed, there will be more chances.

Imperative form 'var inte'.

7

Det var ett besviket konstaterande från tränarens sida.

It was a disappointed observation from the coach's side.

Complex noun phrase with attributive adjective.

8

Vi är alla besvikna, men vi måste gå vidare.

We are all disappointed, but we must move on.

Using 'alla' with plural adjective.

1

Att vara bittert besviken är en tung börda att bära.

To be bitterly disappointed is a heavy burden to bear.

Infinitive phrase as a subject.

2

Litteraturen skildrar ofta den besvikna människan.

Literature often depicts the disappointed human.

Definite form of the adjective 'besvikna'.

3

Hon uttryckte en djupt känd besvikelse över sveket.

She expressed a deeply felt disappointment over the betrayal.

Noun phrase with complex modifiers.

4

Det finns en risk att bli desillusionerad och besviken på livet.

There is a risk of becoming disillusioned and disappointed with life.

Pairing 'besviken' with 'desillusionerad'.

5

Rapporten var ett besviket svar på de uteblivna reformerna.

The report was a disappointed response to the absent reforms.

Metaphorical use of the adjective.

6

Han var besviken i ordets rätta bemärkelse.

He was disappointed in the true sense of the word.

Idiomatic expression 'i ordets rätta bemärkelse'.

7

Trots framgångarna kände hon sig underligt besviken.

Despite the successes, she felt strangely disappointed.

Contrastive sentence structure.

8

Väljarkåren tycks vara kroniskt besviken på det politiska etablissemanget.

The electorate seems to be chronically disappointed in the political establishment.

Advanced adverb 'kroniskt' and noun 'etablissemanget'.

1

Denna besvikna resignation inför faktum är oroväckande.

This disappointed resignation in the face of facts is worrying.

Complex noun phrase with abstract concepts.

2

Han analyserade den besvikna reaktionen som ett tecken på kulturell stagnation.

He analyzed the disappointed reaction as a sign of cultural stagnation.

Sophisticated academic sentence structure.

3

Det vore en underdrift att säga att vi är besvikna.

It would be an understatement to say that we are disappointed.

Conditional 'vore' and noun 'underdrift'.

4

Sällan har en hel nation varit så kollektivt besviken.

Seldom has an entire nation been so collectively disappointed.

Inverted word order for rhetorical effect starting with 'Sällan'.

5

I hans sista verk anas en besviken ton av förlust.

In his final work, a disappointed tone of loss is sensed.

Passive voice 'anas' and poetic structure.

6

Besvikelsen var så påtaglig att den nästan gick att ta på.

The disappointment was so palpable that it was almost touchable.

Metaphorical description of the noun 'besvikelsen'.

7

Man bör noga skilja på att vara besviken och att vara förfördelad.

One should carefully distinguish between being disappointed and being wronged.

Advanced verb 'skilja på' and adjective 'förfördelad'.

8

Hennes besvikna idealism förbyttes snart i cynism.

Her disappointed idealism was soon transformed into cynicism.

Formal verb 'förbyttes' and abstract nouns.

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