German word

frustrieren

Pronunciation

IPA/fʁʊsˈtʁiːʁən/

Meaning

  • verbfrustrate

Example

Der Lärm frustriert ihn.

The noise frustrates him.

Illustration for frustrieren (frustrate)

More examples

Kleine Rückschläge frustrieren viele Lernende.

Small setbacks frustrate many learners.

Core concept

A person reaches toward a goal but meets a barrier, turning blocked progress or a failed expectation into irritation.

Common phrases

  • jemanden frustrieren

    frustrate someone

  • etwas frustriert jemanden

    Something frustrates someone

Similar words

enttäuschen: To make someone feel disappointed when hopes or expectations are not fulfilled.
entmutigen: To weaken someone's confidence or motivation to continue trying.
verärgern: To make someone feel angry or annoyed.

Definition in German

einer Person durch Hindernisse oder enttäuschte Erwartungen das Gefühl geben, ihre Ziele nicht erreichen zu können

Word origin

Frustrieren comes through French frustrer from Latin frustrari, based on frustra, meaning 'in vain'.

Usage tips

  • Frustrieren takes an accusative object, as in 'Der Lärm frustriert ihn', while 'Er ist frustriert' describes the affected person's state.

Other meanings

  • disappointverb
  • thwartverb

Opposites

  • zufriedenstellensatisfyverb

Related words

  • Frustrationfrustrationnoun
  • frustrierendfrustratingadjective

Word lists with this word