sprain · frustrate

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 挫 has 10 strokes and the on-reading ざ. 挫折 (ざせつ) and 頓挫 (とんざ) describe setbacks or halted progress.
• Basic usage: 挫折 is a setback in pursuing a goal; 頓挫 is a plan or discussion becoming stalled along the way.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Trying again after a setback and a temporarily halted plan
  • 大きな挫折を経験したが links a major setback to trying again afterward. 一度の挫折をきっかけに identifies one setback as prompting a review of practice methods.
  • 計画は一時頓挫しました means the plan was temporarily halted, without establishing permanent abandonment. 頓挫しないよう states the purpose of reviewing terms to prevent negotiations from collapsing.