Desalentar is a verb.
/des.a.leˈn.taɾ/
Desalentar refers to the act of causing someone to lose confidence, hope, or enthusiasm about something. It is primarily used in contexts where individuals experience a reduction in motivation or positivity, often due to negativity or obstacles encountered.
In Spanish, desalentar is commonly used in both written and oral forms, but it tends to appear more often in written contexts, such as literature, articles, and formal discussions about motivation, psychology, or education.
Don't let negative comments discourage you.
El fracaso de su primer intento no debería desalentar su esfuerzo.
The failure of his first attempt should not dishearten his effort.
Es importante mantener el ánimo alto y no desalentar a los demás.
"Desalentar" is not only used in its direct form but also appears in various idiomatic expressions. Here are a few examples:
You shouldn't discourage the initiative of young people.
No hay que desalentar a los que empiezan
We should not discourage those who are starting in sports.
Desalentar el esfuerzo
His attitude only serves to discourage the efforts of others.
Desalentar la creatividad
The word desalentar comes from the prefix "de-" (indicating removal or reversal) and the verb "alentar," which means "to encourage" or "to stimulate." Thus, "desalentar" literally conveys the action of removing encouragement.