Translation guide
The English noun 'let-down' refers to a feeling of disappointment when something is not as good as expected. In Japanese, this is expressed through nouns, verbs, and adjectives that convey disappointment, anticlimax, or a sense of being let down. The most common and natural ways to express this are 期待外れ (disappointment vs. expectations) and がっかり (disappointment/discouragement).
Express a general feeling of disappointment or anticlimax, often after high hopes.
A noun meaning 'disappointment' or 'let-down' in the sense of something not living up to expectations. Very common and natural.
That movie was a let-down.
The new product turned out to be a let-down.
A versatile suru-verb/noun/adverb expressing disappointment or discouragement. Often used for personal let-downs.
I was let down by the test results.
It's a let-down that he didn't come.
A more formal noun/suru-verb for 'disappointment'. Often used in serious or formal contexts.
I was let down by his behavior.
A phrase meaning 'to feel let down' or 'anticlimactic', often when something turns out to be easier or less impressive than expected.
Winning so easily was a let-down.
A formal noun/suru-verb for 'disappointment' or 'dejection'. Stronger and more literary than 失望.
I was let down by the news of failing.
Refer to the thing or event itself that caused disappointment.
Express the action of causing disappointment to another person.
Literally 'to betray expectations'. The most direct way to say 'let someone down'.
He let me down.
Please don't let me down.
Causative form of がっかりする, meaning 'to make someone disappointed'.
His attitude let me down.
Formal causative of 失望する. Used in serious contexts.
Express a sudden drop in excitement or tension, often after a build-up.
An idiom meaning 'to be let down' or 'to have one's expectations dashed', originally from sumo. Very natural for anticlimax.
We got all excited, but in the end nothing happened; it was a real let-down.
Noun meaning 'anticlimax' or 'let-down'. Often used when something is unexpectedly easy or dull.
The English 'let-down' cannot be directly translated as a single noun in most cases. Avoid using レットダウン or similar loanwords. Instead, use the expressions above depending on context.
期待外れ specifically implies a gap between expectations and reality. がっかり is a broader feeling of disappointment or discouragement, not necessarily tied to prior expectations. Use 期待外れ when the let-down is clearly about unmet hopes.
This restaurant is a let-down.
The government's response let down the people.
The ending was so abrupt it was a let-down.