(しつい)

しつい
noun
disappointment; dejection; despair
1. disappointment; dejection; despair
A state of deep discouragement or loss of hope, especially after one's expectations or ambitions have been thwarted. Often used in literary or formal contexts.
失意(しつい)のどん(ぞこ)にいる。
To be in the depths of despair.
試験(しけん)()ちて失意(しつい)()れた。
I was overcome with disappointment after failing the exam.
失意(しつい)(なか)にあっても、(かれ)希望(きぼう)()てなかった。
Even in the midst of despair, he did not give up hope.

Describes a deep sense of discouragement or crushed hopes, typically after a significant setback or failure. More literary and weighty than everyday words for disappointment.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 失意(しつい)のどん(ぞこ): the depths of despair
  • 失意(しつい)()れる: to be overcome with disappointment
  • 失意(しつい)(なか): in the midst of dejection
  • 失意(しつい)のうちに: while in a state of despair

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 落胆(らくたん): discouragement — general disappointment, less literary
  • 絶望(ぜつぼう): despair — stronger, implies complete hopelessness
  • がっかり: disappointment — casual, everyday word

CONTRAST:
失意(しつい) vs 得意(とくい): these form an antonym pair. 得意(とくい) means triumph or pride (in its literary sense), while 失意(しつい) means dejection.