挫 折(ざせつ)

ざせつ

noun

setback; frustration; failure

emotion change

1. setback; failure; breakdown of plans

A situation where one's plans, efforts, or progress are halted or defeated, often resulting in disappointment.

彼(かれ)は大(おお)きな挫折(ざせつ)を経験(けいけん)した。

He experienced a major setback.

挫折(ざせつ)を乗(の)り越(こ)えて成功(せいこう)した。

She overcame the setback and succeeded.

何度(なんど)挫折(ざせつ)しても諦(あきら)めないことが大切(たいせつ)だ。

It's important not to give up no matter how many setbacks you face.

挫折(ざせつ) describes the experience of having one's plans, efforts, or ambitions halted or defeated. It implies not just failure, but the emotional weight of disappointment that comes with it.

Common collocations

挫折(ざせつ)を経験(けいけん)する: to experience a setback
挫折(ざせつ)を味(あじ)わう: to taste defeat (literary)
挫折(ざせつ)を乗(の)り越(こ)える: to overcome a setback
挫折感(ざせつかん): sense of frustration/defeat
挫折(ざせつ)する: to fail, to be frustrated (suru-verb)

Usage

Often appears in contexts about personal growth, career struggles, and overcoming adversity. The pattern 挫折(ざせつ)しても諦(あきら)めない (not giving up despite setbacks) is very common.

Similar words

失敗(しっぱい): failure (more factual, less emotional)
頓挫(とんざ): sudden halt, breakdown (more formal, used for projects/plans)
壁(かべ)にぶつかる: to hit a wall (idiomatic, less severe)

Related Words

Compare: 失敗(しっぱい) (failure)

Compare: 頓挫(とんざ) (sudden halt, breakdown)

Compare: くじける (to be discouraged)

Compare: 躓(つまず)き (stumble)

Compare: 潰(つい)える (to collapse)

general

Added 2026.1.30 23:48 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

08500/08992_zasetsu