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"Desilusionar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to disappoint", and "defraudar" is a transitive verb which is also often translated as "to disappoint". Learn more about the difference between "desilusionar" and "defraudar" below.
desilusionar(
dehs
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ee
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loo
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syoh
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nahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to disappoint
El empate desilusionó a los hinchas, que esperaban que su equipo ganara.The draw disappointed the fans, who were hoping their team would win.
b. to disillusion
Nadie quería escucharme, y esta experiencia me desilusionó.No one would listen to me and I was disillusioned by the experience.
c. to let down
Creímos que las promesas del director eran sinceras, pero nos desilusionó.We thought the head's promises were sincere but he let us down.
desilusionarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to be disappointed
No te desilusiones si nadie te apoya; sigue adelante.Don't be disappointed if nobody helps you; keep on trying.
b. to become disillusioned
Cuando entró en el mundo de la política, Laura esperaba conseguir grandes cosas, pero pronto se desilusionó.When she entered the world of politics, Laura hoped to achieve great things, but she soon became disillusioned.
defraudar(
deh
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frow
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dahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to disappoint
La banda dio un concierto pésimo que defraudó a sus seguidores.The band put on a bad show that disappointed the fans.
b. to let down
Mis padres van a pagar por mis estudios, así que no los voy a defraudar.My parents are going to pay for my education, so I'm not going to let them down.
2. (to swindle)
a. to defraud
López defraudó al departamento de impuestos cuando realizó la compra del yate.Lopez defrauded the tax department when he purchased the yacht.
b. to cheat
El empresario defraudó a las autoridades en reiteradas ocasiones y fue encarcelado.The businessman cheated the authorities many times and was incarcerated.
