期 待 外(きたいはず)れ

きたいはずれ

noun, no-adjective

disappointment; letdown; falling short of expectations

1. disappointment; letdown; something that fails to meet expectations

Describes a situation, result, or thing that does not live up to what was hoped for or expected. Used both as a noun and as a modifier with の.

映画(えいが)は期待外(きたいはず)れだった。

The movie was a disappointment.

試験(しけん)の結果(けっか)が期待外(きたいはず)れで落(お)ち込(こ)んだ。

I was depressed because the exam results were a letdown.

期待外(きたいはず)れの結果(けっか)に終(お)わったが、次(つぎ)に向(む)けて頑張(がんば)りたい。

It ended in a disappointing result, but I want to try harder for next time.

A compound of 期待(きたい) (expectation) and 外(はず)れ (miss, deviation). Expresses the gap between what was anticipated and the actual outcome. Very commonly used in everyday conversation, reviews, and news reporting.

Common collocations

期待外(きたいはず)れの結果(けっか): disappointing result
期待外(きたいはず)れに終(お)わる: to end in disappointment
完全(かんぜん)に期待外(きたいはず)れ: a complete letdown
期待外(きたいはず)れの展開(てんかい): an unexpected/disappointing development

Similar words

失望(しつぼう): disappointment — more emotional and formal; focuses on the feeling of losing hope
落胆(らくたん): discouragement — more literary; emphasizes the emotional deflation
肩透(かたす)かし: anticlimax — implies being let down after bracing for something bigger

Usage

Can function as a predicate with だ (期待外(きたいはず)れだった) or as a noun modifier with の (期待外(きたいはず)れの結果(けっか)). Not used with な.

Related Words

Compare: 失望(しつぼう) (disappointment)

Compare: 落胆(らくたん) (discouragement)

Compare: 肩透(かたすか)かし (anticlimax)

Compare: 予想違(よそうちが)い (wrong prediction)

Compare: 見外(みはず)れ (disappointment)

general

Added 2026.4.9 5:28 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02

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