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.
あの映画は期待外れだった。
That movie was a let-down.
新製品は期待外れに終わった。
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.
テストの結果にがっかりした。
I was let down by the test results.
彼が来なくてがっかりだ。
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.
彼の行動に失望した。
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.
簡単に勝って拍子抜けした。
Winning so easily was a let-down.
A formal noun/suru-verb for 'disappointment' or 'dejection'. Stronger and more literary than 失望.
不合格の知らせに落胆した。
I was let down by the news of failing.
Refer to the thing or event itself that caused disappointment.
A casual way to say 'a let-down' as a thing. がっかり is used as a na-adjective here.
雨でピクニックが中止になったのはがっかりなことだ。
The picnic being canceled due to rain is a let-down.
Can also refer to the disappointing thing itself.
このレストランは期待外れだ。
This restaurant is a let-down.
Express the action of causing disappointment to another person.
Literally 'to betray expectations'. The most direct way to say 'let someone down'.
彼は私の期待を裏切った。
He let me down.
期待を裏切らないでください。
Please don't let me down.
Causative form of がっかりする, meaning 'to make someone disappointed'.
彼の態度は私をがっかりさせた。
His attitude let me down.
Formal causative of 失望する. Used in serious contexts.
政府の対応は国民を失望させた。
The government's response let down the people.
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.
盛り上がったのに、結局何もなくて肩透かしを食った。
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.
あっけない結末で拍子抜けだ。
The ending was so abrupt it was a let-down.
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.