sobering
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sobering
Having a disappointing effect that destroys illusions or inflated expectations and brings one back to reality.
Nach all der harten Arbeit war das ernüchternde Ergebnis ein Schock für das Team.
After all the hard work, the sobering result was a shock for the team.
"Ernüchternd" is the present participle of the verb "ernüchtern" (to sober up / to disillusion). This is derived from "nüchtern" (sober, not drunk) and means to bring someone back from an illusion into reality. So "ernüchternd" describes something that has this effect.
Seine Reaktion auf meine Idee war ziemlich ernüchternd.
His reaction to my idea was pretty sobering.
This adjective often describes abstract nouns that express a result or insight. Typical combinations are "ein ernüchterndes Ergebnis" (a sobering result), "eine ernüchternde Bilanz" (a sobering assessment), or "eine ernüchternde Erkenntnis" (a sobering realization).
Die Firma zog am Jahresende eine ernüchternde Bilanz.
At the end of the year, the company made a sobering assessment.
"Ernüchternd" can be used as an adjective before a noun or as an adverb to describe a verb or state.
Die Zahlen für das letzte Quartal sind ernüchternd.
The figures for the last quarter are sobering.
disappointing
Enttäuschend generally means that something does not fulfill hopes or expectations. Ernüchternd describes a particularly disappointing effect in which inflated expectations or illusions are shattered by reality. Use enttäuschend in general and ernüchternd when reality clearly corrects those expectations.
Die Besucherzahl der Veranstaltung war ernüchternd, weil unsere großen Hoffnungen auf einen Erfolg verschwanden.
Attendance at the event was sobering because our great hopes of success vanished.
Die Besucherzahl der Veranstaltung war enttäuschend, weil weniger Menschen als erwartet kamen.
Attendance at the event was disappointing because fewer people came than expected.
