1.
setback; failure; breakdown of plans
A situation where one's plans, efforts, or progress are halted or defeated, often resulting in disappointment.
彼は大きな挫折を経験した。
He experienced a major setback.
挫折を乗り越えて成功した。
She overcame the setback and succeeded.
何度挫折しても諦めないことが大切だ。
It's important not to give up no matter how many setbacks you face.
挫折 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:
- 挫折を経験する: to experience a setback
- 挫折を味わう: to taste defeat (literary)
- 挫折を乗り越える: to overcome a setback
- 挫折感: sense of frustration/defeat
- 挫折する: to fail, to be frustrated (suru-verb)
USAGE:
Often appears in contexts about personal growth, career struggles, and overcoming adversity. The pattern 挫折しても諦めない (not giving up despite setbacks) is very common.
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 失敗: failure (more factual, less emotional)
- 頓挫: sudden halt, breakdown (more formal, used for projects/plans)
- 壁にぶつかる: to hit a wall (idiomatic, less severe)