Translation guide
The feeling of being discouraged, or the act of discouraging someone. This guide covers how to express both the emotional state and the action in natural Japanese.
Expressing that you feel down, have lost enthusiasm, or are disheartened.
A common onomatopoeic word for feeling disappointed or let down. Often used when expectations aren't met.
試験に落ちてがっかりした。
I was discouraged when I failed the exam.
Literally 'lose motivation/enthusiasm'. A very natural way to say you feel discouraged about doing something.
何度も失敗して、やる気をなくした。
After failing so many times, I lost motivation.
To feel depressed or down. Stronger than がっかり, implies a more lasting low mood.
彼は失恋して落ち込んでいる。
He's discouraged/depressed after a broken heart.
To feel gloomy or dispirited. Often used for a vague sense of discouragement.
雨の日が続くと気がめいる。
Continuous rainy days make me feel discouraged.
A formal, literary term for being dejected or dispirited. Often used in writing.
チームは敗戦に意気消沈した。
The team was discouraged by the defeat.
Expressing that someone or something makes another person lose motivation or hope.
To dampen someone's enthusiasm or motivation. Very common in everyday speech.
彼の一言が私のやる気をそいだ。
His one remark discouraged me.
To disappoint someone, causing them to feel discouraged. The causative form of がっかりする.
その結果は彼をがっかりさせた。
The result discouraged him.
To cause someone to lose their drive or will to do something. Slightly formal.
厳しい批判は若手の意欲を失わせることがある。
Harsh criticism can discourage young people.
Literally 'to pour water on', meaning to dampen the mood or discourage someone's enthusiasm. Idiomatic.
Referring to something that causes discouragement, like a setback or a demotivating factor.
A setback or frustration that leads to discouragement. Often used for major life goals.
就職活動の挫折で自信をなくした。
The setback in job hunting discouraged me.
An obstacle or hindrance. Can be used for things that discourage progress.
A technical term for an inhibiting factor. Used in formal or business contexts.
規制がイノベーションの阻害要因になっている。
Regulations are a discouragement to innovation.
There is no single Japanese noun that perfectly matches 'discouragement' in all contexts. Using 落胆 (らくたん) or 失望 (しつぼう) can sound too formal or literary. Instead, use verb phrases like がっかりする or やる気をなくす for the feeling, and やる気をそぐ for the action.
彼はいつも私の計画に水を差す。
He always discourages my plans.
資金不足が大きな障害だ。
Lack of funds is a major discouragement.