disappointed
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disappointed
The feeling of sadness or dissatisfaction because one’s hopes or expectations were not fulfilled. Describes the state after a positive expectation has been dashed.
Sie war sichtlich enttäuscht, als ihr Freund den Geburtstag vergessen hatte.
She was visibly disappointed when her boyfriend had forgotten her birthday.
“Enttäuscht” (disappointed) is the past participle of the verb “enttäuschen” (to disappoint). It is made up of “ent-” (to take away, remove) and “täuschen” (to deceive). Literally, it means that a deception or illusion is removed and one sees the often sobering reality.
Die Realität hat ihn von seinen Träumen enttäuscht.
Reality disappointed him out of his dreams.
The adjective is used with two different prepositions: you are “enttäuscht von” (disappointed in/by) a person or thing (dative), or “enttäuscht über” (disappointed about) a situation or piece of news (accusative).
Ich bin von meinem besten Freund enttäuscht.
I am disappointed in my best friend.
To intensify the feeling, “enttäuscht” (disappointed) is often combined with adverbs such as “tief” (deeply), “bitter” (bitterly), or “sehr” (very). Common nouns are “enttäuschte Hoffnungen” (disappointed hopes) or “ein enttäuschtes Gesicht” (a disappointed face).
Er war bitter enttäuscht, als er die Absage erhielt.
He was bitterly disappointed when he received the rejection.
dissatisfied
Unzufrieden and enttäuscht can both express a negative reaction to an unmet expectation. Enttäuscht emphasizes a frustrated hope after a specific result, while unzufrieden focuses more on a negative evaluation of a situation. Use enttäuscht for the initial emotional setback and unzufrieden for lasting displeasure.
Nach der Absage war Ben enttäuscht, weil er auf die Stelle gehofft hatte.
After being rejected, Ben was disappointed because he had hoped to get the job.
Mit dem langen Bewerbungsverfahren war Ben unzufrieden, weil es sich ständig verzögerte.
Ben was dissatisfied with the lengthy application process because it kept being delayed.
