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A1 verb #3,000 most common 6 min read

شکست خوردن

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips شکست خوردن in 30 Seconds
Explanation شکست خوردن in your Level:
At the A1 level, you should understand 'شکست خوردن' as 'to lose' in a simple game or a basic activity. It is the opposite of 'برنده شدن' (to win). At this stage, focus on the past tense: 'من شکست خوردم' (I lost). You might use it when playing sports with friends or talking about a simple task that didn't work out. The focus is on the result: did you win or did you fail? It's a useful word for basic social interactions and describing simple outcomes. You don't need to worry about complex grammar; just remember that 'شکست' is the noun and 'خوردن' is the action of experiencing that loss.
At the A2 level, you begin to use 'شکست خوردن' in more varied tenses and slightly more abstract contexts. You can talk about failing an exam (though 'rad shodan' is more common, 'shekast khordan' emphasizes the personal defeat) or a simple project. You should be able to use the present continuous: 'دارم شکست می‌خورم' (I am losing/failing). You also start to use the preposition 'در' (in) to specify what you failed in, such as 'در بازی' (in the game). This level requires understanding that it's a compound verb where only the second part changes.
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At the B1 level, you can use 'شکست خوردن' to describe life experiences, business setbacks, and more complex social situations. You understand the difference between 'شکست خوردن' (failing) and 'موفق نشدن' (not succeeding), where the former feels more significant. You can use it in conditional sentences: 'اگر بیشتر تلاش می‌کردم، شکست نمی‌خوردم' (If I had tried harder, I wouldn't have failed). You also begin to recognize it in news reports about sports teams or local events. Your vocabulary expands to include synonyms like 'باختن' and you know when to choose one over the other.
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At the B2 level, you use 'شکست خوردن' with nuance. You can discuss political failures, economic downturns, and systemic issues. You are comfortable with the passive-like nature of this compound verb and can distinguish it clearly from the active 'شکست دادن'. You might use it in debates or essays to describe why a certain policy failed. You also start to use related idiomatic expressions and understand the cultural weight of failure in Iranian society. You can conjugate it in all tenses, including the subjunctive and perfect tenses, with ease.
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At the C1 level, 'شکست خوردن' becomes a tool for deep analysis. You use it in academic or professional settings to describe the failure of theories, historical movements, or complex strategies. You understand its use in classical and modern Persian literature, where it might symbolize a spiritual or existential crisis. You can use it in complex sentence structures and are aware of its collocations with adverbs like 'سخت' (severely) or 'به‌کلی' (completely). You can discuss the philosophy of failure using this verb as a centerpiece.
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At the C2 level, you have a native-like grasp of 'شکست خوردن'. You can use it in high-level rhetoric, poetry, and sophisticated legal or political discourse. You understand the subtle connotations it carries in different historical contexts. You can play with the word, using it ironically or metaphorically in ways that only a highly proficient speaker can. You are also familiar with very rare or archaic synonyms and can explain the etymological evolution of the 'khordan' light verb in this compound structure. Failure is no longer just a word; it's a concept you can manipulate with precision.
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Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

شکست خوردن in 30 Seconds

  • شکست خوردن means 'to fail' or 'to be defeated' in Persian.
  • It is a compound verb using 'shekast' (defeat) and 'khordan' (to eat/receive).
  • It is used for sports, exams, business, and personal life setbacks.
  • It is intransitive and should not be confused with 'shekast dadan' (to defeat).

The Persian compound verb شکست خوردن (shekast khordan) is the primary way to express the concept of failing, losing, or being defeated. Etymologically, it is composed of the noun shekast (meaning 'break', 'fracture', or 'defeat') and the light verb khordan (literally 'to eat', but in compound verbs, it often means 'to receive' or 'to undergo'). Therefore, the literal sense is 'to receive a defeat' or 'to undergo a breaking'. This verb is versatile, used in contexts ranging from a child losing a simple board game to a massive corporation going bankrupt or a military force losing a battle. It captures the emotional and structural weight of failure. Unlike English, where 'fail' can be intransitive (the plan failed) or transitive (I failed the test), in Persian, شکست خوردن usually describes the subject experiencing the defeat.

Literal Meaning
To eat a break/defeat.
Core Concept
The act of not achieving a goal or being bested by an opponent.
Grammatical Role
Intransitive compound verb (it describes what happens to the subject).

تیم ما در مسابقه نهایی شکست خورد.

— Our team was defeated in the final match.

In a deeper sense, شکست خوردن implies a disruption of progress. In Persian literature, 'shekast' often refers to the breaking of a heart or the shattering of an image, but when paired with 'khordan', it solidifies into the specific act of losing. It is the antonym of پیروز شدن (to be victorious). Understanding this verb requires recognizing that failure in Persian culture is often seen as a 'tasting' or 'receiving' of an external force, hence the use of 'khordan'.

او در عشق شکست خورد.

— He failed in love (experienced heartbreak/defeat).
Subjectivity
The verb emphasizes the experience of the person failing.
Intensity
It can range from a minor setback to a total collapse.

Using شکست خوردن correctly involves understanding the mechanics of Persian compound verbs. The first part, 'شکست', remains static, while the second part, 'خوردن', is conjugated according to tense, person, and number. For example, in the past tense: شکست خوردم (I failed), شکست خوردی (you failed), شکست خورد (he/she/it failed). In the present tense, it uses the stem 'خور' (khor): شکست می‌خورم (I am failing/I fail). It is vital to include the prefix 'می' (mi-) for continuous or habitual actions in the present.

اگر تلاش نکنی، حتماً شکست می‌خوری.

— If you don't try, you will certainly fail.

The verb is often preceded by a prepositional phrase indicating the field of failure, typically using 'در' (dar - in). For instance, 'در تجارت شکست خوردن' (to fail in business). It is an intransitive verb, meaning it does not take a direct object with 'را' (ra). You cannot 'شکست خوردن' someone else; rather, you 'شکست می‌دهید' (defeat) someone else. This distinction between شکست خوردن (to be defeated) and شکست دادن (to defeat) is the most common hurdle for learners.

Present Stem
خور (khor)
Past Stem
خورد (khord)
Imperative
شکست بخور (Fail! - rarely used but grammatically possible)

In formal writing, you might see variations like متحمل شکست شدن (to undergo defeat), but شکست خوردن remains the standard across all registers. When discussing historical events, the verb takes on a more epic tone: 'ارتش در جنگ شکست خورد' (The army was defeated in the war). In modern slang, people might use 'باختن' (to lose) for games, but 'شکست خوردن' remains the more formal and comprehensive term for significant failures.

You will encounter شکست خوردن in several distinct environments. The most common is sports broadcasting. Commentators frequently use it to describe the outcome of a match. For example, 'تیم ملی در مقابل حریف شکست خورد' (The national team was defeated by the opponent). In this context, it carries a sense of finality and disappointment. Another major area is the news, particularly political or economic news. A candidate might 'شکست خوردن' in an election, or a new law might 'شکست خوردن' in its implementation phase.

طرح جدید دولت با شکست خوردن مواجه شد.

— The government's new plan faced failure.

In educational settings, while 'rad shodan' (to fail a test) is common, 'شکست خوردن' is used when discussing the overall failure of a student's academic career or a specific project. In literature and cinema, it is a thematic staple. Protagonists often face a 'شکست' before their eventual triumph. You will hear it in motivational speeches: 'از شکست خوردن نترسید' (Do not be afraid of failing). This usage highlights the cultural shift toward viewing failure as a stepping stone to success.

Media
Headlines about economic crashes or sports losses.
Conversation
Discussing personal setbacks or failed relationships.
Business
Analyzing why a startup or product didn't succeed.

The most frequent error for Persian learners is confusing شکست خوردن (to be defeated/fail) with شکست دادن (to defeat someone else). Because both share the word 'شکست', learners often swap the light verbs. Remember: khordan is passive/receptive (you 'eat' the defeat), while dadan is active (you 'give' the defeat to someone else). If you say 'من او را شکست خوردم', it sounds like 'I failed him' in a very broken way; the correct way to say 'I defeated him' is 'من او را شکست دادم'.

اشتباه: من در امتحان شکست دادم. (غلط)
درست: من در امتحان شکست خوردم.

Another mistake is using it for simple mechanical failures. If a car breaks down, you don't use 'شکست خوردن'; you use 'خراب شدن' (kharāb shodan). 'شکست خوردن' is reserved for human endeavors, competitions, or abstract goals. Additionally, learners sometimes forget the preposition 'در' (in) and try to use 'را' (the direct object marker). Since you fail *in* something, 'در' is essential. For example, 'او در پروژه شکست خورد' is correct, whereas 'او پروژه را شکست خورد' is incorrect.

Persian has several words that overlap with شکست خوردن, each with a specific nuance. باختن (bākhtan) is the most direct synonym, primarily used in the context of games, gambling, or sports. While you can 'شکست خوردن' in a war, you 'می‌بازی' (lose) a game of chess. ناکام ماندن (nākām māndan) is a more formal and literary term meaning 'to remain unsuccessful' or 'to be frustrated in one's desires'. It is often used for plans or romantic pursuits that didn't come to fruition.

باختن (Bākhtan)
To lose (specifically in games or bets).
ناکام ماندن (Nākām Māndan)
To fail to reach a goal (formal).
موفق نشدن (Movaffagh Nashodan)
To not succeed (the polite/neutral version).
رد شدن (Rad Shodan)
To fail an exam (literally: to be rejected/passed over).

Another related term is ورشکسته شدن (var-shekaste shodan), which specifically means 'to go bankrupt'. While it contains the root 'shekaste', it is strictly economic. Choosing between these depends on the level of formality and the specific nature of the failure. For a neutral, everyday failure, 'موفق نشدن' is safest. For a dramatic or competitive failure, 'شکست خوردن' is the most powerful choice.

How Formal Is It?

Difficulty Rating

Grammar to Know

Compound Verbs with 'Khordan'

Intransitive vs. Transitive Verbs

Prepositional Phrases with 'Dar'

Present Continuous Tense

Past Perfect Tense

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Examples by Level

1

من در بازی شکست خوردم.

I lost in the game.

Simple past tense.

2

او شکست خورد.

He/She failed.

Third person singular.

3

ما شکست خوردیم.

We lost.

First person plural.

4

آیا تو شکست خوردی؟

Did you lose?

Question form.

5

آنها در مسابقه شکست خوردند.

They lost in the competition.

Third person plural.

6

من نمی‌خواهم شکست بخورم.

I don't want to fail.

Negative with 'want'.

7

گربه در شکار شکست خورد.

The cat failed in hunting.

Subject is an animal.

8

امروز شکست خوردیم، اما فردا می‌بریم.

We lost today, but we will win tomorrow.

Contrast between past and future.

1

او در امتحان رانندگی شکست خورد.

He failed the driving test.

Using 'dar' for the context.

2

چرا شکست خوردی؟

Why did you fail?

Interrogative 'why'.

3

ما هیچ‌وقت شکست نمی‌خوریم.

We never fail.

Present tense with 'never'.

4

او همیشه در شطرنج شکست می‌خورد.

He always loses in chess.

Habitual present.

5

اگر تمرین نکنی، شکست می‌خوری.

If you don't practice, you will fail.

Conditional Type 1.

6

تیم محبوب من شکست خورد.

My favorite team lost.

Possessive adjective.

7

او از شکست خوردن می‌ترسد.

He is afraid of failing.

Infinitive as a noun.

8

آنها در نیمه اول شکست خوردند.

They lost in the first half.

Temporal context.

1

شرکت جدید او در سال اول شکست خورد.

His new company failed in the first year.

Business context.

2

او در تلاش برای تغییر قانون شکست خورد.

He failed in his attempt to change the law.

Abstract failure.

3

ممکن است در این پروژه شکست بخوریم.

We might fail in this project.

Modal 'might'.

4

او پس از شکست خوردن، دوباره شروع کرد.

After failing, he started again.

Gerund phrase.

5

هیچ‌کس دوست ندارد در زندگی شکست بخورد.

No one likes to fail in life.

Universal statement.

6

او در متقاعد کردن والدینش شکست خورد.

He failed to convince his parents.

Infinitive phrase.

7

آیا تا به حال در کاری شکست خورده‌ای؟

Have you ever failed at something?

Present perfect.

8

او در مسابقات جهانی شکست سختی خورد.

He suffered a heavy defeat in the world championships.

Adjective 'sakht' (hard/heavy).

1

سیاست‌های اقتصادی دولت در مهار تورم شکست خورد.

The government's economic policies failed to curb inflation.

Formal/Political context.

2

او در حفظ رابطه‌اش با دوستان قدیمی شکست خورد.

He failed to maintain his relationship with old friends.

Relational context.

3

بسیاری از استارتاپ‌ها به دلیل مدیریت ضعیف شکست می‌خورند.

Many startups fail due to poor management.

Causal 'be dalil-e'.

4

او هرگز اجازه نداد ترس از شکست خوردن او را متوقف کند.

He never let the fear of failing stop him.

Complex sentence structure.

5

تیم مذاکره‌کننده در رسیدن به توافق شکست خورد.

The negotiating team failed to reach an agreement.

Compound subject.

6

او در آزمون ورودی دانشگاه برای سومین بار شکست خورد.

He failed the university entrance exam for the third time.

Ordinal numbers.

7

شکست خوردن در این مرحله به معنای پایان کار است.

Failing at this stage means the end of the work.

Gerund as subject.

8

او در پنهان کردن احساساتش شکست خورد.

She failed to hide her feelings.

Emotional context.

1

نظریه او در مواجهه با شواهد جدید شکست خورد.

His theory failed in the face of new evidence.

Academic context.

2

امپراتوری‌های بزرگ در طول تاریخ به دلایل مشابهی شکست خورده‌اند.

Great empires throughout history have failed for similar reasons.

Historical/Generalizing.

3

او در بازسازی وجهه عمومی خود شکست خورد.

He failed to rebuild his public image.

Nuanced vocabulary.

4

طرح‌های آرمان‌شهری اغلب در مرحله اجرا شکست می‌خورند.

Utopian plans often fail at the implementation stage.

Abstract/Philosophical.

5

او در مبارزه با بیماری مزمنش شکست خورد و درگذشت.

He lost his battle with a chronic illness and passed away.

Euphemistic/Serious.

6

نویسنده در انتقال پیام اصلی داستان به خواننده شکست خورده است.

The author has failed to convey the story's main message to the reader.

Literary criticism.

7

تلاش‌های دیپلماتیک برای جلوگیری از جنگ شکست خورد.

Diplomatic efforts to prevent war failed.

High-level political.

8

او در یافتن معنای زندگی در مادیات شکست خورد.

He failed to find the meaning of life in material things.

Existential context.

1

گفتمان حاکم در اقناع نسل جدید به‌کلی شکست خورده است.

The dominant discourse has completely failed to persuade the new generation.

Sociological terminology.

2

او در چنبره اعتیاد شکست خورد و تمام دارایی‌اش را از دست داد.

He was defeated in the clutches of addiction and lost all his assets.

Metaphorical/Literary.

3

پروژه مدرنیزاسیون به دلیل عدم انطباق با سنت‌ها شکست خورد.

The modernization project failed due to non-compliance with traditions.

Formal analytical.

4

او در آزمون وجدان خویش شکست خورد.

He failed the test of his own conscience.

Poetic/Moral.

5

تمامی تلاش‌ها برای احیای توافقنامه با بن‌بست و شکست مواجه شد.

All efforts to revive the agreement met with deadlock and failure.

Diplomatic jargon.

6

او در تکاپوی بیهوده برای کسب قدرت، در نهایت شکست خورد.

In his futile struggle for power, he ultimately failed.

Epic/Narrative style.

7

ساختار قدیمی سازمان در برابر تغییرات سریع بازار شکست خورد.

The organization's old structure failed against rapid market changes.

Corporate analysis.

8

او در مواجهه با حقیقت تلخ، در حفظ آرامش خود شکست خورد.

In the face of the bitter truth, he failed to maintain his composure.

Psychological nuance.

Common Collocations

شکست سخت
شکست تلخ
شکست سنگین
شکست مفتضحانه
شکست پی‌درپی
شکست خوردن در جنگ
شکست خوردن در عشق
شکست خوردن در امتحان
احتمال شکست خوردن
ترس از شکست خوردن

Common Phrases

شکست خوردن بخشی از مسیر است.
او هرگز شکست نمی‌خورد.
تیم ما دوباره شکست خورد.
در مقابل دشمن شکست خوردند.
نباید از شکست خوردن ترسید.
او در اولین تلاش شکست خورد.
شکست خوردن در سیاست عادی است.
آنها با اختلاف کمی شکست خوردند.
او در تمام مراحل شکست خورد.
شکست خوردن او را قوی‌تر کرد.

Often Confused With

شکست خوردن vs شکست دادن

شکست خوردن vs باختن

شکست خوردن vs خراب شدن

Idioms & Expressions

"شکست پل پیروزی است (Failure is the bridge to victory)"
"شکست خوردن و دم نزدن (To fail and not say a word/complain)"
"شکست را پذیرفتن (To accept defeat)"
"طعم شکست را چشیدن (To taste the flavor of defeat)"
"به زانو درآمدن (To be brought to one's knees - a form of defeat)"
"کمر شکستن (To have one's back broken - a devastating failure)"
"نقش بر آب شدن (To have plans turn into water - to fail)"
"پنبه کسی را زدن (To defeat/fail someone - informal)"
"دست از پا درازتر برگشتن (To return empty-handed after a failure)"
"سنگ روی یخ شدن (To be humiliated by a failure)"

Easily Confused

شکست خوردن vs

شکست خوردن vs

شکست خوردن vs

شکست خوردن vs

شکست خوردن vs

Sentence Patterns

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How to Use It

nuance

It is more formal and serious than 'bakhtan'.

common error

Confusing it with 'shekast dadan' is the #1 mistake.

Common Mistakes
  • Using 'ra' with 'shekast khordan'.
  • Confusing 'shekast khordan' with 'shekast dadan'.
  • Using it for a broken car or phone.
  • Forgetting the 'mi-' in the present tense.
  • Using 'shekastan' (to break) when you mean 'to fail'.

Tips

Light Verb Logic

Remember that 'khordan' acts as the engine of the verb. Only conjugate 'khordan'.

Synonym Choice

Use 'bakhtan' for sports and 'shekast khordan' for serious life events.

Resilience

Iranians value 'himmat' (effort) even if someone 'shekast' eats a defeat.

Stress

The stress is usually on the last syllable of the first word: she-KAST.

Formal Reports

In formal writing, use 'motehammel-e shekast shodan' for 'to suffer a defeat'.

Emphasis

When you want to say you failed badly, add 'sakht' after 'shekast'.

Visualizing

Visualize a 'shattered' (shekast) trophy that you are 'holding/receiving' (khordan).

News Keywords

In news, 'shekast' is often followed by 'khord' or 'dad'.

Empathy

Saying 'naraahat nabash' (don't be sad) after someone fails is common.

Abstract Failure

It's perfect for abstract concepts like 'failing to keep a promise'.

Memorize It

Word Origin

Cultural Context

Hafez and Rumi often use the imagery of a 'broken heart' (dil-e shekaste) which shares the same root.

Admitting failure can be difficult in some social circles due to the importance of 'aberu' (face/reputation).

Iranian wrestling fans are particularly sensitive to 'shekast' in international matches.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Conversation Starters

"آیا تا به حال در یک مسابقه شکست خورده‌ای؟"

"چطور با شکست خوردن کنار می‌آیی؟"

"به نظر تو چرا بعضی از پروژه‌ها شکست می‌خورند؟"

"آیا شکست خوردن همیشه بد است؟"

"بهترین درسی که از شکست خوردن گرفتی چه بود؟"

Journal Prompts

درباره زمانی بنویسید که شکست خوردید اما چیز مهمی یاد گرفتید.

چرا مردم از شکست خوردن می‌ترسند؟

تفاوت بین شکست خوردن و تسلیم شدن چیست؟

چگونه می‌توانیم بعد از شکست خوردن دوباره بلند شویم؟

نقش شکست خوردن در موفقیت‌های بزرگ چیست؟

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, it specifically means 'to fail' or 'to be defeated'. To break something is 'shekastan'.

Yes, but 'rad shodan' is more common for exams. 'Shekast khordan' sounds more dramatic.

It is neutral to formal. You can use it in both daily conversation and news reports.

The opposite is 'piruz shodan' (to be victorious) or 'movaffagh shodan' (to succeed).

You say 'Man u ra shekast dadam'. Do not use 'khordam' here.

In compound verbs, 'khordan' often means 'to receive' or 'to be hit by' something.

Yes, 'sherkat shekast khord' is a very common way to say the company failed.

It usually takes 'dar' (in), as in 'dar mosabeghe' (in the competition).

The noun form is simply 'shekast' (failure/defeat).

Yes, for example, a lion failing to catch its prey.

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