Translation guide
The feeling of sadness or displeasure caused by the non-fulfillment of one's hopes or expectations.
Expressing a general feeling of disappointment or letdown.
The most direct and common word for 'disappointment'. Can be used as a noun or a suru-verb (失望する).
彼の態度には失望した。
I was disappointed by his attitude.
結果に失望を感じている。
I feel disappointment at the result.
A very common, slightly more casual and emotional word for disappointment. Often used as a suru-verb (がっかりする) or adverbially.
試験に落ちてがっかりした。
I was disappointed that I failed the exam.
その知らせを聞いてがっかりした。
I was disappointed to hear the news.
Literally 'expectation-miss'. Used when something or someone fails to meet expectations. Often used as a noun or na-adjective.
その映画は期待外れだった。
The movie was a disappointment.
彼の演奏は期待外れに終わった。
His performance ended up being a disappointment.
Literally 'to think it's regrettable'. A polite and common way to express disappointment, often used in formal situations.
ご期待に添えず残念に思います。
I am disappointed that I couldn't meet your expectations.
Expressing that you are disappointed in a specific person's actions or character.
Causative form of 失望する, meaning 'to cause disappointment'. Used when someone disappoints you.
彼は私を失望させた。
He disappointed me.
Causative form of がっかりする, meaning 'to let someone down'. More casual than 失望させる.
また遅刻して、彼女をがっかりさせた。
He disappointed her by being late again.
Literally 'to misjudge'. Used when someone's actions make you lose respect or think less of them. Stronger than simple disappointment.
Describing a situation, event, or object that is a letdown.
Used as a na-adjective to describe something disappointing. Very colloquial.
がっかりな結果だ。
It's a disappointing result.
Means 'regrettable' or 'unfortunate', but often used to describe disappointing things. More formal than がっかりな.
それは残念な知らせだ。
That's disappointing news.
Used attributively to modify a noun, meaning 'disappointing' in the sense of not meeting expectations.
期待外れの結果だった。
It was a disappointing result.
Formal or polite ways to express disappointment, often in business or service contexts.
Means 'unfortunately' or 'regrettably'. A standard polite way to preface disappointing news.
残念ながら、ご要望にお応えできません。
Unfortunately, we cannot meet your request.
Expresses a feeling of being pained or sorry, often used when you have to disappoint someone. Very polite.
ご期待に添えず心苦しい限りです。
I am deeply sorry to disappoint you.
失望 (shitsubou) is more formal and often used in writing or serious contexts. がっかり (gakkari) is more emotional and common in everyday speech. がっかり can also be used as an adverb (がっかりして).
彼の言葉にがっかりして、何も言えなかった。
I was so disappointed by his words that I couldn't say anything.
Avoid directly translating 'I am disappointed' as 私は失望している in casual conversation. It sounds stiff. Use がっかりした or 残念だ instead.
がっかりしたよ。
I'm disappointed.
残念なことに、コンサートは中止になった。
To my disappointment, the concert was canceled.
彼女は失望を隠せなかった。
She couldn't hide her disappointment.
君を見損なったよ。
I'm disappointed in you. / I thought better of you.