挫折|ざせつzasetsu[0]heiban (flat)

Common
Definitions
  1. noun, suru verb, intransitive verbsetback; failure (e.g. plans, business); frustration; discouragement
    資金しきん不足ふそくのためわれわれの計画けいかくは挫折ざせつした。↗
    Our plan failed because of the shortage of funds.
Conjugation
Dictionary form挫折する(ざせつする)
Polite (masu)挫折します(ざせつします)
Negative (nai)挫折しない(ざせつしない)
polite (masen)挫折しません(ざせつしません)
classical zu / nu挫折せず・挫折せぬ(ざせつせず・ざせつせぬ)
Past (ta)挫折した(ざせつした)
polite (mashita)挫折しました(ざせつしました)
Past negative (nakatta)挫折しなかった(ざせつしなかった)
polite (masen deshita)挫折しませんでした(ざせつしませんでした)
Te form挫折して(ざせつして)
Potential挫折できる(ざせつできる)
Passive挫折される(ざせつされる)
Causative挫折させる(ざせつさせる)
Causative passive挫折させられる(ざせつさせられる)
Conditional (ba)挫折すれば(ざせつすれば)
tara挫折したら(ざせつしたら)
Volitional挫折しよう(ざせつしよう)
polite (mashou)挫折しましょう(ざせつしましょう)
Imperative挫折しろ(ざせつしろ)

Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.

Synonyms & antonyms
  • Synonym失敗しっぱいNeutralThe broadest word for something simply not working out or a mistake; 「挫折」 is narrower — a plan blocked partway through, or giving up in discouragement over it.
  • Synonym頓挫とんざWrittenFormal, written word: a plan or venture deadlocking midway, focusing on the situation itself; 「挫折」 also covers the person losing heart and giving up.
  • Related落胆らくたんWrittenA written, formal word for the feeling of disappointment or discouragement, even without any actual failure; 「挫折」 is the event of a plan stalling or being abandoned.
  • Related力落しちからおとしNeutralMeans losing heart or drive, not the failure itself; common in the condolence phrase 「お力落とし」.
  • Related挫折感ざせつかんNeutralNames the emotion alone — the dejection and helplessness left after being thwarted; 「挫折」 centers on the setback itself, whatever feelings come with it.
  • Antonym成功せいこうNeutralAntonym: achieving one's aim smoothly, the opposite of 「挫折」 with its sense of being blocked partway.
  • Antonym達成たっせいNeutralAntonym: completing or attaining a goal, the opposite of 「挫折」's giving up halfway; pairs with 「目標」 and 「記録」.

For plain failure use 「失敗」; use 「挫折」 when a plan stalls partway or you give up in discouragement. For the feeling, pick 「挫折感」 or the more formal 「落胆」; 「力落し」 is losing heart, as in condolences. Opposites: 「成功」, 「達成」.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

Japanese definitions
  1. 物事ものごとが途中とちゅうで駄目だめになること。
  2. こころざしをなかばにして、その達成たっせいをあきらめること。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also

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