Japanese word

挫折

Pronunciation

Romajizasetsu

Meaning

  • nounsetback

Example

厳しい練習で大きな挫折を味わいました。kibi shi i ren shū de ō ki na za setsu o aji wa i ma shi ta

I experienced a major setback during rigorous training.

Illustration for 挫折 (setback)

More examples

小さな挫折を重ねた経験が、今の自信につながっています。chii sa na za setsu o kasa ne ta kei ken ga ima no ji shin ni tsu na ga tte i ma su

Facing small setbacks repeatedly has helped me gain confidence.

Core concept

Conveys the emotional blow of a failed effort that makes further progress feel difficult.

Common phrases

  • 挫折を味わうza setsu o aji wa u

    experience a setback

  • 挫折を乗り越えるza setsu o no ri ko e ru

    overcome a setback

  • 挫折を経験するza setsu o kei ken su ru

    experience a setback

  • 挫折を重ねるza setsu o kasa ne ru

    go through repeated setbacks

Similar words

失敗shippai: An unsuccessful attempt or effort that does not produce the intended result.
つまずきtsumazuki: A difficulty or failure that briefly stops progress toward a goal.
頓挫tonza: The sudden failure or interruption of a plan, project, or effort.

Definition in Japanese

目指したことに失敗し、その経験によって心がくじけること。me za shi ta ko to ni ship pai shi so no kei ken ni yo tte kokoro ga ku ji ke ru ko to

Word origin

The compound 挫折 (zasetsu) joins 挫 (za, "to be thwarted") and 折 (setsu, "to break"), expressing the collapse of an effort or ambition after failure.

Usage tips

  • A person can experience 挫折 (zasetsu) without abandoning a goal, because the word names the discouraging failure and its effect on continued effort.

Other meanings

  • failurenoun
  • frustrationnoun
  • discouragementnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 挫折感zasetsukansense of failurenoun
  • 挫折するzasetsusuruexperience a setbackverb

Word lists with this word