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"Esperanzas" is a form of "esperanzar", a transitive verb which is often translated as "to give hope to". "Desilusiones" is a form of "desilusionar", a transitive verb which is often translated as "to disappoint". Learn more about the difference between "esperanzas" and "desilusiones" below.
esperanzar(
ehs
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peh
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rahn
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sahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to give hope to
La doctora no esperanzó al paciente porque algo podría salir mal.The doctor didn't get her patient's hopes up because it was possible something could go wrong.
El hecho de que un señor de 70 años pueda escalar el Everest debería esperanzar a todos los mayores de 60 años.The fact that a 70-year-old man can climb Everest should give hope to all over-60s.
esperanzarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to be encouraged
Los resultados de investigaciones recientes nos llevan a esperanzarnos. Puede haber una cura para esta afección.We are encouraged by the results of recent research. A cure for this condition may be possible.
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.
