がっかり

がっかり
adverb, suru verb
disappointed, dejected
1. disappointed, dejected, disheartened
A feeling of sadness or displeasure when expectations are not met.
試験(しけん)に落(お)ちてがっかりした。
I was disappointed that I failed the exam.
がっかりしないで。
Don't be disappointed.
結果(けっか)を聞(き)いてがっかりした。
I was disappointed to hear the results.
彼(かれ)の態度(たいど)にがっかりさせられた。
I was let down by his attitude.
期待(きたい)していただけにがっかりだ。
I'm all the more disappointed because I had high expectations.

USAGE:

  • がっかりする (to be disappointed)
  • がっかりさせる (to disappoint someone)
  • がっかりだ (expression of disappointment)

がっかり is a mimetic word (擬態語(ぎたいご)) that evokes the feeling of deflation or letdown when expectations aren't met. The sound itself suggests the sensation of one's spirits dropping.

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • 〜にがっかりする: to be disappointed in/by ~
  • 〜てがっかりした: was disappointed that ~

RELATED TERMS:

  • 失望(しつぼう): disappointment (formal/literary)
  • 落胆(らくたん): dejection, discouragement (formal)
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Added 2026.1.10 17:42 · Revised 2026.2.3 9:33
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