Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Disappointment'

English Word: Disappointment

Key Russian Translations:

• разочарование [rəzətʃʌrɐˈvanʲɪjə] - [Neutral, Most Common]
• огорчение [ɐɡɐrˈtʃʲenʲɪjə] - [Emotional, Slightly Informal]

Frequency: High (Widely used in everyday conversations and literature)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for both translations

Pronunciation (Russian):

разочарование: [rəzətʃʌrɐˈvanʲɪjə]

Note on разочарование: Stress falls on the fourth syllable (-va-). The 'р' is rolled slightly, typical of Russian phonetics.

огорчение: [ɐɡɐrˈtʃʲenʲɪjə]

Note on огорчение: Stress on the third syllable (-chen-). The soft 'ч' sound is palatalized.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Feeling of Sadness Due to Unmet Expectations

Translation(s) & Context:

• разочарование - Commonly used for general disappointment in outcomes or people (e.g., failed expectations).
• огорчение - Often implies a deeper emotional sadness or distress caused by disappointment.

Usage Examples:

• Его разочарование было очевидным после провала экзамена.

  His disappointment was obvious after failing the exam.

• Я почувствовал разочарование, когда фильм закончился так предсказуемо.

  I felt disappointment when the movie ended so predictably.

• Её огорчение из-за отмены поездки тронуло всех нас.

  Her disappointment over the canceled trip touched us all.

• Огорчение на её лице было невозможно не заметить.

  The disappointment on her face was impossible to miss.

• Разочарование в людях заставило его стать более осторожным.

  Disappointment in people made him more cautious.

2. Something or Someone That Disappoints

Translation(s) & Context:

• разочарование - Used to describe a person, thing, or event that fails to meet expectations.

Usage Examples:

• Этот ресторан оказался настоящим разочарованием.

  This restaurant turned out to be a real disappointment.

• Он был разочарованием для всей команды.

  He was a disappointment to the entire team.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

разочарование (neuter noun):

огорчение (neuter noun): Follows a similar declension pattern to "разочарование."

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms:

• неудовлетворённость (nuance: dissatisfaction, less emotional)
• печаль (nuance: sadness, broader emotional tone)

Antonyms:

• удовлетворение (satisfaction)
• радость (joy)

Related Phrases:

• испытывать разочарование - to experience disappointment
• причинить огорчение - to cause disappointment or distress
• разочарование в жизни - disappointment in life (broader existential context)

Usage Notes:

• "Разочарование" is the most neutral and widely applicable term for disappointment, suitable for both personal and abstract contexts.
• "Огорчение" often carries a stronger emotional connotation, implying sadness or distress, and is more commonly used in personal or emotional situations.
• Both nouns are neuter and follow standard declension patterns, making them grammatically straightforward for learners.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "огорчение" in formal or abstract contexts where "разочарование" is more appropriate. For example, saying "Огорчение в политике" instead of "Разочарование в политике" for "disappointment in politics."
  Explanation: "Огорчение" sounds overly personal or emotional for abstract topics.
• Error: Incorrect case usage due to prepositions. For instance, using Nominative instead of Prepositional after "о" (e.g., "о разочарование" instead of "о разочаровании").
  Explanation: Always ensure proper case agreement with prepositions.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, expressing disappointment (especially "огорчение") can be tied to a sense of communal empathy or shared emotional burden. Russians may openly discuss personal disappointments as a way of bonding, unlike in some cultures where such expressions are more reserved.

Related Concepts:

• печаль (sadness)
• тоска (melancholy)
• неудача (failure)