Meanings of 辜负
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 辜负
Podcast: 辜负
Podcast: 辜负
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 辜负
失望 (shīwàng) — use 辜负 when emphasizing the act of letting someone down, rather than just the feeling of disappointment.
辜负 is often used in formal contexts, particularly in discussions about relationships or responsibilities. Common collocations include 辜负期望 (to let down expectations) and 辜负信任 (to betray trust). Be cautious with the tones; mispronouncing either character could change the meaning entirely.
As an HSK Level 6 word, 辜负 connects to themes of emotional expression and interpersonal relationships. Students should focus on understanding its usage in complex sentences and practice with phrases that convey disappointment or unmet expectations.
Learners often confuse 辜负 with 负担 (fù dān), which means 'burden.' A wrong example could be saying 我辜负了我的负担 (I let down my burden), which should be 我辜负了期望 (I let down the expectations).
Pronunciation of 辜负
Drill the tone of 辜负 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Component Characters
How to say to fail to live up (to expectations) in Chinese
“to fail to live up (to expectations)” in Chinese is辜负
辜负 (gu1 fu4) means to fail to meet someone's expectations or to let someone down. It is commonly used in contexts where a person feels disappointed due to unmet promises or hopes, conveying a sense of betrayal or unworthiness, especially in relationships and commitments.
When to use 辜负
辜负 is often used in formal contexts, particularly in discussions about relationships or responsibilities. Common collocations include 辜负期望 (to let down expectations) and 辜负信任 (to betray trust). Be cautious with the tones; mispronouncing either character could change the meaning entirely.
辜负 or something close to it
失望 (shīwàng) — use 辜负 when emphasizing the act of letting someone down, rather than just the feeling of disappointment.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 辜负 with 负担 (fù dān), which means 'burden.' A wrong example could be saying 我辜负了我的负担 (I let down my burden), which should be 我辜负了期望 (I let down the expectations).
Write 辜负
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 辜负 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions about 辜负
Yes, 辜负 is used to express disappointment, failure, or betrayal, making it inherently negative.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 辜负?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.