Meaning
To not succeed in trying to do something.
Cultural Background
Failure is often viewed through the lens of 'Maktub' (it is written). This doesn't mean people don't try, but it provides a psychological cushion when an attempt fails. Egyptians often use humor to deflect the sting of failure. A failed attempt might be followed by a joke about one's luck. In the Levant, there is a strong emphasis on 'Shatara' (cleverness). Failing an attempt might be seen as a lack of 'shatara' in that specific moment, prompting a more strategic second try. With the rapid economic development, 'fashala fi al-muhawalah' is used frequently in business contexts, where failure is seen as a step toward innovation, similar to Silicon Valley culture.
Use with Ordinals
This phrase pairs perfectly with ordinal numbers like 'first' (الأولى) or 'second' (الثانية) to show progress.
Don't forget 'Fi'
Leaving out 'fi' is the most common error. Always remember: Fail IN the attempt.
Meaning
To not succeed in trying to do something.
Use with Ordinals
This phrase pairs perfectly with ordinal numbers like 'first' (الأولى) or 'second' (الثانية) to show progress.
Don't forget 'Fi'
Leaving out 'fi' is the most common error. Always remember: Fail IN the attempt.
Softening the Blow
In professional emails, use 'لم يوفق في المحاولة' to sound more polite than 'fashala'.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing preposition.
فشل اللاعب ____ المحاولة الثانية.
The verb 'fashala' always requires the preposition 'في' when referring to the area of failure.
Choose the correct form of the word 'attempt'.
فشلت الحكومة في ________ لإصلاح القانون.
After the preposition 'في', we need a noun (Masdar), and 'المحاولة' is the correct singular definite noun.
Complete the dialogue with the correct phrase.
أحمد: هل نجحت في فتح الصندوق؟ خالد: لا، ________.
Since Khalid says 'No' (لا), he must follow with a statement of failure.
Match the sentence to the correct context.
Sentence: 'فشل الفريق في المحاولة لتسجيل هدف في الدقيقة الأخيرة.'
The mention of 'team' (فريق) and 'scoring a goal' (تسجيل هدف) indicates a sports context.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesفشل اللاعب ____ المحاولة الثانية.
The verb 'fashala' always requires the preposition 'في' when referring to the area of failure.
فشلت الحكومة في ________ لإصلاح القانون.
After the preposition 'في', we need a noun (Masdar), and 'المحاولة' is the correct singular definite noun.
أحمد: هل نجحت في فتح الصندوق؟ خالد: لا، ________.
Since Khalid says 'No' (لا), he must follow with a statement of failure.
Sentence: 'فشل الفريق في المحاولة لتسجيل هدف في الدقيقة الأخيرة.'
The mention of 'team' (فريق) and 'scoring a goal' (تسجيل هدف) indicates a sports context.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, it is a standard, objective word for failure. However, calling a *person* a 'fashil' (a failure) can be very insulting.
It's better to say 'fashala fi al-madda' (failed the subject) or 'rasaba' (failed/stayed back).
The plural is 'muhawalat' (محاولات). You can say 'fashalat al-muhawalat' (the attempts failed).
'Akhfaqa' is more formal and often used when someone 'misses' a goal they were close to hitting.
You say 'Lan afshala fi al-muhawalah' (لن أفشل في المحاولة).
Yes, but it might sound a bit formal. A simple 'ma zabatatsh' (it didn't work) is more common in Egyptian/Levantine texts.
Not necessarily. It just describes the outcome. The cause could be external.
There isn't a direct opposite noun, but 'al-istislam' (surrender/giving up) is the conceptual opposite of 'attempting'.
Yes, it is the 'ح' (Ha), which is a voiceless pharyngeal fricative. Practice by fogging up a mirror.
It is better to say 'fashala al-zawaj' (the marriage failed) rather than 'fashala fi al-muhawalah' unless referring to an attempt to save it.
Related Phrases
أخفق في
synonymTo fail/miss the mark
باء بالفشل
similarTo end in failure
نجح في
contrastTo succeed in
حاول مراراً
builds onTo try repeatedly
