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desanimar

to discourage, to dishearten

verb deh-sah-nee-MAHR Rare
Mind & Emotions Emotions

Usage Note

Desanimar is most often used reflexively as desanimarse (to lose heart, to become discouraged), and learners should know this reflexive form is far more common than the transitive one. Its opposite is animar (to encourage, to cheer up). No te desanimes (don't lose heart) is a very common expression. The related noun is desánimo (discouragement), which carries a written accent unlike the verb.

Examples

"No te desanimes si cometes errores al principio."

Natural Translation

Don't get discouraged if you make mistakes at first.

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