Decepcionado vs. desilusionado vs. defraudado
The Spanish words 'decepcionado', 'desilusionado' and 'defraudado' are often interchangeably translated into English as 'disappointed' but carry slightly different nuances of disappointment in specific contexts.
Decepcionado
This word comes from the verb 'decepcionar' which means to disappoint, especially in a general or casual sense. It describes a feeling of disappointment resulting from unmet expectations or hopes.
Estoy decepcionado con los resultados de hoy.
(I am disappointed with today's results.)
Él se sintió muy decepcionado cuando no obtuvo el trabajo.
(He felt very disappointed when he didn't get the job.)
Desilusionado
'Desilusionado' comes from the verb 'desilusionar', which implies a stronger level of disappointment, especially when a significant expectation or ideal is not achieved. It carries a stronger emotional charge.
Estoy desilusionado de la política.
(I am disappointed with politics.)
El final de la película me dejó desilusionado.
(The end of the movie left me disappointed.)
Defraudado
'Defraudado', derived from the verb 'defraudar', refers specifically to feelings of disappointment due to some kind of deception, fraud, or betrayal. The level of disappointment evoked by 'defraudar' tends to relate to situations where trust has been broken.
Me siento defraudado por mi amigo que me mintió.
(I feel let down by my friend who lied to me.)
Los inversores se sintieron defraudados después de descubrir la estafa financieras.
(The investors felt disappointed after discovering the financial scam.)
Summary
In summary, although decepcionado, desilusionado, and defraudado map onto the English word 'disappointed', they mirror varying depths and types of disappointment. Use decepcionado for more general situations where expectations aren't met; desilusionado when those expectations were significant and its disillusionment felt deeply; and defraudado when the disappointment is due to deception, fraud, or betrayal.