Translation of desengaños?

Question

In the song “Mi Ranchita,” sung by Linda Ronstadt, there are the lines “Ahi encontré mi primer amor Y fueron los desengaños.” Desengaños is translated as betrayals. However, I find no dictionary that gives that definition. Is there some usage where betrayal is the better interpretation?

Answer 1

Hola,

Para mí no es "betrayal" es "finding out about the betrayal":

desengaño. 1. m. Conocimiento de la verdad, con que se sale del engaño o error en que se estaba. 2. m. Efecto de ese conocimiento en el ánimo. 3. m. Palabra, juicio o expresión que se dice a alguien echándole en cara alguna falta. 4. m. pl. Lecciones recibidas por experiencias amargas.

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Hope this helps.

Answer 2

But there's more to it too... aqui el proverbio "Con los años... los desengaños" (A sad one!) Not sure of the best translation, maybe 'another year, another disappointment'.

Nos ha desengañado con sus mentiras. He disappointed us with his lies.

Answer 3

I don't know how it would be used to express actual betrayal, maybe the discovery of betrayal (hence the disappointment). I don't know the entire context, but usually when talking about 'love' it's the 'disappointments' or the 'disillusionment' of love (los desengaños).