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अनुत्तीर्ण

B1 adjective 11 min read

अनुत्तीर्ण

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips अनुत्तीर्ण in 30 Seconds

Explanation अनुत्तीर्ण in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't really need to use the word 'अनुत्तीर्ण' (Anutteerna) in your daily speaking. Most people will use the English word 'fail' instead. However, you might see it on a poster or a simple report card. It simply means 'failed' in an exam. If you are a student, you want to see the opposite word, 'उत्तीर्ण' (Utteerna), which means 'passed'. Think of 'Anutteerna' as a formal label. It is used with 'होना' (to be). For example, 'I am fail' would be 'Main fail hoon' in easy Hindi, but in a formal book, it might look like 'Main anutteerna hoon'. Don't worry about using it yet; just recognize that the 'An-' part makes it negative, like 'un-' in English.

At the A2 level, you should start recognizing that Hindi has formal and informal versions of words. 'Anutteerna' is the formal version of 'fail'. You will hear this in news reports or see it in school notices. You should know that it is specifically for exams. You wouldn't use it if you failed to catch a bus or failed to cook a meal. In those cases, you would use 'asafal'. The grammar is simple: [Person] [Exam] mein anutteerna ho gaya (Ram failed in the exam). It's a useful word to know if you are reading basic Hindi news stories about schools or students. It helps you distinguish between 'passing' (utteerna) and 'failing' (anutteerna).

As a B1 learner, you should be able to use 'अनुत्तीर्ण' in formal writing and understand its specific context. This is the level where you distinguish between 'fail' (spoken), 'asafal' (general failure), and 'anutteerna' (academic failure). You should be comfortable using it in sentences like 'Yadi aap anutteerna hote hain...' (If you fail...). You'll notice it's an adjective that doesn't change its ending for gender, which is a relief for learners! You should also be aware of related words like 'punar-pariksha' (re-exam) that often appear alongside it. Using this word correctly shows you are moving beyond 'Hinglish' and into professional or academic Hindi.

At the B2 level, you are expected to use 'अनुत्तीर्ण' naturally in discussions about education policy, student performance, or standardized testing. You should understand the nuance that it carries—it's not just a result, but an official status. You might use it in more complex structures, such as 'Anutteerna hone ke darr se...' (Due to the fear of failing...). You should also be able to contrast it with 'utteerna' and 'shreni' (division/grade). At this stage, you should recognize it in newspaper editorials where it might be used to critique the high failure rates in certain regions. Your vocabulary should be rich enough to use this word to maintain a formal register throughout an essay or a speech.

For C1 learners, 'अनुत्तीर्ण' is a standard part of your academic and professional lexicon. You should understand its Sanskrit roots deeply (An + Utteerna) and how this prefix 'An-' functions in other Tatsama words. You should be able to use it in sophisticated arguments, perhaps discussing the socio-economic factors that lead students to be 'anutteerna' in rural areas. You will encounter this word in legal documents, government gazettes, and high-level literature. You should also be familiar with its usage in passive constructions like 'Anutteerna ghoshit kiya gaya' (was declared failed) and how it fits into the broader landscape of Hindi's bureaucratic language (Rajbhasha).

At the C2 level, you have a masterly grasp of 'अनुत्तीर्ण' and can use it with precision in any context. You understand the historical weight of the word and its place in the 'Shuddh Hindi' (Pure Hindi) movement. You can appreciate the stylistic choice an author makes when they choose 'Anutteerna' over 'Asafal' or 'Fail' to create a specific atmosphere of institutional coldness or traditional gravity. You might even use it metaphorically in very specific literary contexts, though its primary use remains academic. You are capable of translating complex educational reports from English to Hindi, ensuring that 'failed' is translated as 'Anutteerna' to maintain the appropriate level of formality required for official documentation.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

अनुत्तीर्ण in 30 Seconds

Anutteerna is the formal Hindi word for failing an exam, derived from Sanskrit roots 'an' (not) and 'utteerna' (passed).
It is primarily used in academic and official contexts, such as on report cards, in news headlines, and formal documents.
Unlike the general word for failure (asafal), anutteerna is strictly reserved for tests and evaluations, not general life events.
Grammatically, it is an invariant adjective usually paired with 'hona' (to be) or 'ghoshit karna' (to declare) and requires the preposition 'mein' (in).

The Hindi word अनुत्तीर्ण (Anutteerna) is a formal, high-register adjective primarily used within the educational and bureaucratic landscape of India. Derived from Sanskrit, it literally translates to 'not crossed' or 'not passed.' In a functional sense, it indicates that a candidate has failed to meet the minimum requirements of an examination, a specific course, or a standardized test. While the English loanword 'fail' is ubiquitous in colloquial Hindi conversations (e.g., "वो फेल हो गया"), अनुत्तीर्ण is the term you will encounter on official mark sheets, government gazettes, and formal academic correspondence. It carries a weight of finality and formality that 'fail' lacks, often appearing in the cold, objective context of administrative reporting.

Etymological Breakdown: The word is a combination of the prefix 'अन्' (an-), meaning 'not' or 'without', and 'उत्तीर्ण' (utteerna), which means 'passed' or 'graduated'. In ancient Sanskrit, 'utteerna' referred to crossing a river or reaching the other side of a challenge.
Register and Tone: It is categorized as a 'Tatsama' word, meaning it is borrowed directly from Sanskrit without modification. This gives it a scholarly and serious tone. Using this word in a casual setting might sound overly dramatic or pedantic, whereas using it in a formal report is mandatory for professional accuracy.

मुख्य परीक्षा के परिणाम घोषित कर दिए गए हैं और दुर्भाग्यवश कई छात्र अनुत्तीर्ण घोषित किए गए हैं। (The results of the main examination have been declared, and unfortunately, many students have been declared failed.)

In the socio-cultural context of Hindi-speaking regions, the word is often associated with the high-stakes environment of board exams (10th and 12th grades). When a student sees this word on their 'Pradeshik Shiksha Parishad' (State Education Board) result, it signifies a need for re-evaluation or repeating a year. It is rarely used for failures in life, business, or sports; for those, the word 'असफल' (asafal - unsuccessful) is preferred. Therefore, अनुत्तीर्ण is strictly tethered to the domain of evaluation and testing.

यदि आप एक विषय में अनुत्तीर्ण होते हैं, तो आपको पूरक परीक्षा देनी होगी। (If you fail in one subject, you will have to take a supplementary exam.)

Grammatical Usage: It functions as a predicative adjective. It is almost always followed by the auxiliary verb 'होना' (to be/become) or 'घोषित करना' (to declare). It does not change its form based on the gender or number of the subject, as it is a pure Sanskrit adjective ending in a consonant sound (though written with a vowel, it remains stable).

Understanding this word is crucial for anyone engaging with the Indian education system or reading Hindi newspapers. News headlines regarding national competitive exams like UPSC or IIT-JEE will frequently use this term to describe the statistics of passing and failing candidates. It reflects the structured, often rigid, nature of academic assessment in the region. While it may seem like a harsh word, it is the standard for objective reporting in the Hindi media.

वह गणित की परीक्षा में अनुत्तीर्ण हो गया क्योंकि उसने पर्याप्त अभ्यास नहीं किया था। (He failed the mathematics exam because he did not practice enough.)

Using अनुत्तीर्ण correctly requires an understanding of its syntactic environment. Since it is a formal adjective, it is typically paired with the verb होना (to be/become) or घोषित करना (to declare). Unlike English where 'failed' can be a verb (I failed the exam), in Hindi, 'Anutteerna' is a state. You don't 'Anutteerna' an exam; you 'become Anutteerna' in an exam. This distinction is vital for learners who might try to translate English structures literally into Hindi.

Pattern 1: Subject + Exam + Context + अनुत्तीर्ण + होना: This is the most common structure. Example: 'राम परीक्षा में अनुत्तीर्ण हो गया' (Ram became failed in the exam). The postposition 'में' (in) is almost always used to specify the subject or exam being discussed.

कड़ी मेहनत के बावजूद, वह साक्षात्कार में अनुत्तीर्ण रही। (Despite hard work, she failed in the interview.)

Notice that in the sentence above, 'रही' (remained/was) is used instead of 'हो गई'. This adds a nuance of state over time. The word remains 'अनुत्तीर्ण' regardless of the female subject 'वह'. This stability is a hallmark of Sanskrit-derived adjectives in Hindi that do not end in the 'ā' sound. This makes it easier for learners as they don't have to worry about inflection (Anutteerna vs Anutteerni - the latter does not exist).

Pattern 2: Passive/Official Declaration: In official reports: 'छात्र को अनुत्तीर्ण घोषित किया गया' (The student was declared failed). Here, 'घोषित करना' (to declare) acts as the transitive verb that transforms the student's status.

दस प्रतिशत विद्यार्थी इस वर्ष अनुत्तीर्ण हुए हैं। (Ten percent of students have failed this year.)

Another advanced usage involves conditional sentences. For example, 'यदि वह अनुत्तीर्ण होता है, तो उसे फिर से आवेदन करना होगा' (If he fails, he will have to apply again). This structure is common in rulebooks and policy documents. The word serves as a clear, unambiguous marker of a specific academic outcome. Furthermore, you might see it in compound sentences where it is contrasted with 'उत्तीर्ण' (passed). 'कुछ उत्तीर्ण हुए और कुछ अनुत्तीर्ण' (Some passed and some failed).

अंतिम परिणाम में केवल दो अंक कम होने के कारण वह अनुत्तीर्ण हो गया। (He failed because of being short by only two marks in the final result.)

Negation and Comparison: While 'अनुत्तीर्ण' is already a negative term (not passed), you can use it in comparisons: 'पिछले साल की तुलना में इस साल कम छात्र अनुत्तीर्ण हुए' (Compared to last year, fewer students failed this year).

In summary, treat अनुत्तीर्ण as a formal label. It describes a person's status relative to a standard. It requires an auxiliary verb to function in a sentence and is almost exclusively reserved for the world of academia, certifications, and formal evaluations. By mastering its use, you align your Hindi with that of educators and officials.

If you are walking down a street in Delhi or Mumbai, you are unlikely to hear a teenager say to another, "Yaar, main Anutteerna ho gaya." Instead, you will hear "Yaar, main fail ho gaya." However, the moment that same teenager opens a newspaper like Dainik Jagran or Navbharat Times, the word अनुत्तीर्ण will jump off the page. This word lives in the formal spheres of Indian life, where Sanskritized Hindi remains the standard for authority and precision.

News and Media: During the months of May and June, when state board results are announced, news anchors on channels like DD News or ABP News will use this word incessantly. Headlines will read: 'यूपी बोर्ड: २ लाख छात्र अनुत्तीर्ण' (UP Board: 2 lakh students failed). In these contexts, the word provides a sense of gravity and journalistic professionalism.

आकाशवाणी समाचार: इस वर्ष माध्यमिक शिक्षा मंडल की परीक्षा में अनुत्तीर्ण विद्यार्थियों के लिए विशेष कक्षाएं आयोजित की जाएंगी। (All India Radio News: Special classes will be organized for students who failed the Secondary Education Board exams this year.)

Another place you will encounter this word is in government offices and recruitment centers. When the results for civil services or police recruitment are posted on notice boards, the lists are often divided into 'उत्तीर्ण' (Passed) and 'अनुत्तीर्ण' (Failed). It is the language of the 'Sarkari' (government) world. Even in Hindi cinema (Bollywood), if a scene depicts a strict principal reading out results in a formal assembly, they will likely use अनुत्तीर्ण to emphasize the character's traditional and authoritative nature.

Academic Documents: Your 'Ank-Patra' (Mark sheet) or 'Praman-Patra' (Certificate) will use this word. It is the official designation for a non-passing grade. In university prospectuses, clauses regarding 'Anutteerna' students explain the rules for re-admission or 'back' papers.

सूचना: जो छात्र प्रायोगिक परीक्षा में अनुत्तीर्ण हैं, वे कार्यालय में संपर्क करें। (Notice: Students who have failed in the practical exam should contact the office.)

Furthermore, in Hindi literature and formal essays (Nibandh), authors use अनुत्तीर्ण to discuss the failings of the education system or the psychological impact of failure on students. It is a word that invites serious contemplation. While 'fail' is a momentary event, being 'Anutteerna' is often portrayed as a significant hurdle in a character's journey. Understanding where to hear it—and more importantly, where not to—is key to achieving natural-sounding Hindi fluency.

प्रतियोगी परीक्षाओं में अनुत्तीर्ण होने का अर्थ यह नहीं कि आप अयोग्य हैं। (Failing in competitive exams does not mean you are incompetent.)

Lastly, legal proceedings related to educational disputes or eligibility criteria will use this terminology. If a candidate's qualification is challenged in court, the legal documents will strictly use अनुत्तीर्ण to define their status. It is a word of record, a word of the law, and a word of the institution.

Learning a formal word like अनुत्तीर्ण comes with specific pitfalls, primarily related to context and collocation. Because it is so specific to exams, using it in the wrong setting can make a speaker sound quite strange to native ears. Here are the most common errors to avoid.

Mistake 1: Generalizing Failure: The biggest mistake is using 'Anutteerna' for non-academic failures. For example, if a business venture fails, or a movie flops, you cannot use 'Anutteerna'. You must use 'असफल' (Asafal). Saying "व्यवसाय अनुत्तीर्ण हो गया" (The business failed an exam) makes no sense; it should be "व्यवसाय असफल रहा".

गलत (Wrong): मेरी योजना अनुत्तीर्ण हो गई।
सही (Right): मेरी योजना असफल हो गई। (My plan failed.)

Another common error involves gender agreement. Some learners, seeing the 'a' sound at the end of 'Anutteerna', think it should change to 'Anutteerni' for a female subject. This is incorrect. अनुत्तीर्ण is an invariant adjective in this context. The gender is reflected in the auxiliary verb (हो गया vs. हो गई), not the adjective itself.

Mistake 2: Register Mismatch: Using this word in a very casual, slang-heavy conversation. If you are using words like 'bindaas' or 'yaar' in the same sentence as 'Anutteerna', the contrast is jarring. It’s like wearing a tuxedo to a beach party. It’s not 'wrong' grammatically, but it's socially awkward.

अजीब (Awkward): यार, मैं कल के टेस्ट में अनुत्तीर्ण हो गया, क्या सीन है?
स्वाभाविक (Natural): यार, मैं कल के टेस्ट में फेल हो गया। (Bro, I failed yesterday's test.)

A third mistake is forgetting the postposition 'में' (in). In English, we 'fail an exam' (direct object). In Hindi, you are 'failed IN an exam'. Omitting 'में' makes the sentence structurally incomplete. 'वह परीक्षा अनुत्तीर्ण हुआ' sounds slightly off; 'वह परीक्षा में अनुत्तीर्ण हुआ' is the standard.

Mistake 3: Confusing with 'Asafal': While all 'Anutteerna' people are 'Asafal' (unsuccessful), not all 'Asafal' people are 'Anutteerna'. 'Asafal' is a broad umbrella. 'Anutteerna' is a specific academic subset. Don't use them interchangeably in formal reports.

Finally, avoid over-Sanskritizing your speech if you cannot maintain the register. If you use अनुत्तीर्ण, the surrounding words should ideally be of a similar high register. For instance, pair it with 'विद्यार्थी' (vidyarthi) instead of 'बच्चा' (baccha) to maintain a consistent formal tone.

To truly master the concept of failure in Hindi, you need to know the spectrum of words available. Hindi has several layers of vocabulary: Sanskrit-derived (Tatsama), Persian/Arabic-derived (Tadbhava/Urdu), and English loanwords. अनुत्तीर्ण sits at the top of the Sanskrit layer for academic failure.

1. असफल (Asafal): This is the most versatile word. It means 'unsuccessful'. You can be 'asafal' in an exam, a mission, a relationship, or a career. If you are unsure which word to use, 'asafal' is usually a safe bet. It is slightly less formal than 'Anutteerna' but still very standard.
2. फेल (Fail): The English loanword. It is used in 90% of spoken Hindi. It is treated as a Hindi verb-base: 'fail hona' (to fail) or 'fail karna' (to fail someone). It is neutral to informal.

तुलना:
औपचारिक: वह अनुत्तीर्ण हुआ।
सामान्य: वह असफल रहा।
बोलचाल: वह फेल हो गया।

Another interesting alternative is नाकाम (Naakaam) or नाकामयाब (Naakaamyaab). These come from Persian roots and are very common in Urdu-heavy Hindi or in poetic and cinematic contexts. 'Naakaamyaab' often implies a failure of effort or destiny, whereas 'Anutteerna' is a technical failure of marks.

3. मात खाना (Maat Khaana): An idiom meaning 'to suffer a defeat'. It is used in competitive contexts like sports, politics, or exams where you are competing against others. 'Anutteerna' is about the grade; 'Maat Khaana' is about the competition.
4. पिछड़ना (Pichhadna): Meaning 'to lag behind'. Often used when a student doesn't necessarily fail but falls behind their peers or the required pace of the curriculum.

वह अपनी कक्षा में सबसे अनुत्तीर्ण छात्रों में से एक था, लेकिन बाद में उसने बहुत उन्नति की। (He was among the failing students in his class, but later he made great progress.)

In administrative Hindi, you might also see अयोग्य (Ayogya), which means 'unqualified' or 'ineligible'. While 'Anutteerna' means you failed the test, 'Ayogya' means you don't even meet the criteria to pass or participate. Finally, for a very poetic way of saying failure, one might use पराजित (Parajit - defeated), though this is usually reserved for wars or grand struggles, not a math quiz.

By choosing between these words, you signal your level of education and the specific context of the failure. अनुत्तीर्ण remains the gold standard for academic precision.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In ancient times, 'Utteerna' was used for someone who had successfully crossed a river or completed their Vedic studies. 'Anutteerna' would have meant someone still stuck on the other bank!

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ə.nʊt.tiːɾ.ɳə/

US /ə.nʊt.tiːr.nə/

The stress is slightly on the third syllable 'ttee'.

Rhymes With

उत्तीर्ण (Utteerna) संकीर्ण (Sankeerna) कीर्ण (Keerna) प्रकीर्ण (Prakeerna) विदीर्ण (Videerna) अवतर्ण (Avatarna - slant rhyme) पूर्ण (Poorna - slant rhyme) चूर्ण (Choorna - slant rhyme)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'tt' as a single 't'. It is a double (geminate) consonant.
Replacing the retroflex 'ṇ' (ण) with a dental 'n' (न).
Using a long 'u' sound in 'nu' instead of the correct short 'u'.
Missing the 'r' sound before the 'n'.
Pronouncing it as 'Anutteern' (dropping the final schwa) which is common in spoken Hindi but technically 'Anutteerna' in formal Sanskritized pronunciation.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize in formal texts due to its Sanskrit roots.

Writing 4/5

Requires knowledge of the correct spelling (double 't' and retroflex 'n').

Speaking 4/5

Pronouncing the double 't' and 'rn' correctly takes practice.

Listening 3/5

Distinctive sound, usually clear in formal broadcasts.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

परीक्षा (Exam) सफल (Successful) होना (To be) में (In) नहीं (No/Not)

Learn Next

उत्तीर्ण (Passed) पुनर्मूल्यांकन (Re-evaluation) परिणाम (Result) योग्यता (Qualification) छात्रवृत्ति (Scholarship)

Advanced

अनुत्तीर्णता (Failure - noun form) लब्धांक (Marks obtained) पूर्णांक (Maximum marks) प्रावीण्य (Proficiency)

Grammar to Know

Tatsama Adjective Invariance

Both 'Vah anutteerna hai' (He is failed) and 'Vah anutteerna hai' (She is failed) use the same adjective form.

Locative Case for Context

Always use 'mein' (in) with the exam name: 'Pariksha MEIN anutteerna'.

Auxiliary Verb 'Hona'

Used to describe the state change: 'Anutteerna ho gaya'.

Passive with 'Ghoshit'

Used in official contexts: 'Anutteerna ghoshit kiya gaya'.

Conditional Tense

'Yadi vah anutteerna hota...' uses the past conditional or present simple for future rules.

Examples by Level

वह परीक्षा में अनुत्तीर्ण है।

He is failed in the exam.

Simple subject + complement structure.

क्या तुम अनुत्तीर्ण हो?

Are you failed?

Interrogative sentence.

मैं अनुत्तीर्ण नहीं हूँ।

I am not failed.

Negative sentence using 'nahin'.

राम अनुत्तीर्ण हो गया।

Ram became failed.

Use of 'ho gaya' (became/happened).

वह गणित में अनुत्तीर्ण है।

He is failed in Math.

Using 'mein' to show the subject of failure.

सीता अनुत्तीर्ण नहीं हुई।

Sita did not fail.

Female subject, verb 'hui' matches gender.

वे सब अनुत्तीर्ण हैं।

They all are failed.

Plural subject 've sab'.

यह छात्र अनुत्तीर्ण है।

This student is failed.

Demonstrative adjective 'yah'.

वह पिछले साल अनुत्तीर्ण हो गया था।

He had failed last year.

Past perfect tense.

परीक्षा कठिन थी, इसलिए वह अनुत्तीर्ण हुआ।

The exam was difficult, so he failed.

Use of 'isliye' (so/therefore).

अगर तुम नहीं पढ़ोगे, तो अनुत्तीर्ण हो जाओगे।

If you don't study, you will fail.

Conditional 'agar... toh'.

वह दो विषयों में अनुत्तीर्ण है।

He is failed in two subjects.

Specifying quantity.

अनुत्तीर्ण छात्र यहाँ बैठें।

Failing students sit here.

Using the word as an attributive adjective.

क्या वह फिर से अनुत्तीर्ण हो गया?

Did he fail again?

Use of 'phir se' (again).

मेरी बहन कभी अनुत्तीर्ण नहीं हुई।

My sister never failed.

Use of 'kabhi nahin' (never).

वह डरता है कि वह अनुत्तीर्ण हो जाएगा।

He fears that he will fail.

Complex sentence with 'ki' (that).

अनुत्तीर्ण होने के बाद उसने बहुत मेहनत की।

After failing, he worked very hard.

Gerundial phrase 'Anutteerna hone ke baad'.

वह केवल एक अंक से अनुत्तीर्ण हो गया।

He failed by only one mark.

Use of 'keval' (only) and 'se' (by).

शिक्षक ने अनुत्तीर्ण छात्रों को अतिरिक्त समय दिया।

The teacher gave extra time to the failing students.

Indirect object usage.

उसे अनुत्तीर्ण होने का कोई दुख नहीं था।

He had no sorrow about failing.

Possessive 'hone ka' (of becoming).

कम उपस्थिति के कारण उसे अनुत्तीर्ण घोषित किया गया।

He was declared failed due to low attendance.

Formal phrase 'Anutteerna ghoshit kiya gaya'.

क्या अनुत्तीर्ण छात्र फिर से परीक्षा दे सकते हैं?

Can failed students take the exam again?

Modal verb 'sakte hain' (can).

वह अपनी लापरवाही की वजह से अनुत्तीर्ण हुआ।

He failed because of his negligence.

Reasoning with 'ki vajah se'.

इस विद्यालय में बहुत कम छात्र अनुत्तीर्ण होते हैं।

Very few students fail in this school.

Habitual present tense.

यदि आप मुख्य परीक्षा में अनुत्तीर्ण होते हैं, तो आपको प्रारंभिक परीक्षा फिर से देनी होगी।

If you fail the main exam, you must retake the preliminary exam.

Complex conditional structure.

अनुत्तीर्ण होने की संभावना ने उसे विचलित कर दिया।

The possibility of failing distracted him.

Abstract noun 'sambhavna' (possibility).

बोर्ड ने अनुत्तीर्ण विद्यार्थियों के लिए पुनर्मूल्यांकन की सुविधा दी है।

The board has provided a re-evaluation facility for failed students.

Formal vocabulary like 'punarmulyankan'.

वह लगातार दूसरी बार अनुत्तीर्ण हुआ, जो उसके लिए चिंता का विषय है।

He failed for the second consecutive time, which is a matter of concern for him.

Relative clause 'jo ki'.

अनुत्तीर्ण होना जीवन का अंत नहीं है, बल्कि एक नया सबक है।

Failing is not the end of life, but a new lesson.

Philosophical 'balki' (but rather) construction.

सरकारी आंकड़ों के अनुसार, ग्रामीण क्षेत्रों में अधिक छात्र अनुत्तीर्ण हो रहे हैं।

According to government data, more students are failing in rural areas.

Reporting style 'ke anusar'.

उसने अनुत्तीर्ण होने के कारणों का विश्लेषण किया।

He analyzed the reasons for failing.

Use of 'vishleshan' (analysis).

प्रायोगिक परीक्षा में अनुत्तीर्ण होने पर आपको प्रमाण पत्र नहीं मिलेगा।

Upon failing the practical exam, you will not get the certificate.

Conditional participle 'hone par'.

शिक्षा प्रणाली की खामियों के कारण मेधावी छात्र भी कभी-कभी अनुत्तीर्ण हो जाते हैं।

Due to flaws in the education system, even meritorious students sometimes fail.

Advanced vocabulary 'khamiyon' and 'medhavi'.

अनुत्तीर्ण छात्रों की बढ़ती संख्या समाज के लिए एक गंभीर चुनौती है।

The increasing number of failing students is a serious challenge for society.

Gerund as subject.

न्यायालय ने आदेश दिया कि अनुत्तीर्ण उम्मीदवारों को अपनी उत्तर पुस्तिकाएं देखने का अधिकार है।

The court ordered that failed candidates have the right to see their answer sheets.

Legal reporting register.

साक्षात्कार में अनुत्तीर्ण होने के बावजूद, उसका आत्मविश्वास कम नहीं हुआ।

Despite failing in the interview, his self-confidence did not decrease.

Concessive 'ke bavajood'.

वह अपनी शैक्षणिक यात्रा में कभी अनुत्तीर्ण नहीं हुआ, जो उसकी निष्ठा का प्रमाण है।

He never failed in his academic journey, which is proof of his dedication.

Formal 'nishtha' (dedication).

अनुत्तीर्ण घोषित किए जाने के निर्णय को उन्होंने उच्च न्यायालय में चुनौती दी।

They challenged the decision of being declared failed in the High Court.

Passive participle phrase.

पाठ्यक्रम की जटिलता ने कई छात्रों को अनुत्तीर्ण होने पर मजबूर कर दिया।

The complexity of the syllabus forced many students to fail.

Causative nuance 'majboor kar diya'.

विदेशी भाषा की परीक्षा में अनुत्तीर्ण होना उसके लिए एक बड़ा झटका था।

Failing the foreign language exam was a big blow to him.

Subjective clause.

प्रतियोगी परीक्षाओं की कठोरता अक्सर छात्रों को अनुत्तीर्णता के गर्त में धकेल देती है।

The rigor of competitive exams often pushes students into the abyss of failure.

Metaphorical and highly Sanskritized.

अनुत्तीर्ण होने के मनोवैज्ञानिक प्रभावों का गहन अध्ययन आवश्यक है।

An in-depth study of the psychological effects of failing is necessary.

Academic research register.

यद्यपि वह तकनीकी रूप से अनुत्तीर्ण था, किंतु उसके ज्ञान का स्तर असाधारण था।

Although he was technically failed, the level of his knowledge was extraordinary.

Contrastive 'yadyapi... kintu'.

किसी भी राष्ट्र की प्रगति उसके अनुत्तीर्ण युवाओं के पुनर्वास पर निर्भर करती है।

The progress of any nation depends on the rehabilitation of its failed youth.

Sociopolitical commentary.

परीक्षा परिणामों में अनुत्तीर्णता की उच्च दर शिक्षण विधियों पर प्रश्नचिह्न लगाती है।

The high rate of failure in exam results puts a question mark on teaching methods.

Idiomatic 'prashnachihn lagana'.

वह अपनी महत्वाकांक्षाओं और वास्तविकता के बीच अनुत्तीर्ण होकर रह गया।

He ended up failing between his ambitions and reality.

Abstract literary usage.

अनुत्तीर्ण होने के भय से मुक्त होना ही वास्तविक शिक्षा है।

To be free from the fear of failing is true education.

Philosophical definition.

प्रशासन ने अनुत्तीर्ण छात्रों के लिए विशेष अनुग्रह अंकों की घोषणा की।

The administration announced special grace marks for failed students.

Administrative vocabulary 'anugrah ank'.

Common Collocations

अनुत्तीर्ण घोषित करना

परीक्षा में अनुत्तीर्ण

अनुत्तीर्ण छात्र

लगातार अनुत्तीर्ण

विषय में अनुत्तीर्ण

अनुत्तीर्ण होने का भय

अनुत्तीर्ण होने की दर

पूर्णतः अनुत्तीर्ण

साक्षात्कार में अनुत्तीर्ण

अनुत्तीर्णता का कलंक

Common Phrases

अनुत्तीर्ण हो जाना

— To end up failing an exam.

वह लापरवाही के कारण अनुत्तीर्ण हो गया।

अनुत्तीर्ण करार देना

— To declare or deem someone as failed.

समिति ने उसे अनुत्तीर्ण करार दिया।

अनुत्तीर्ण सूची

— A list of candidates who have failed.

अपना नाम अनुत्तीर्ण सूची में देखकर वह रोने लगा।

अनुत्तीर्ण श्रेणी

— The category or grade of failure.

वह अनुत्तीर्ण श्रेणी में आता है।

पुनः अनुत्तीर्ण

— To fail again.

वह इस वर्ष पुनः अनुत्तीर्ण हुआ।

अनुत्तीर्ण उम्मीदवार

— A candidate who has failed.

अनुत्तीर्ण उम्मीदवार अगले साल फिर बैठ सकते हैं।

प्रायोगिक में अनुत्तीर्ण

— Failed in the practical part of the exam.

वह लिखित में पास है पर प्रायोगिक में अनुत्तीर्ण।

अनुत्तीर्ण होने की स्थिति

— The situation of failing.

अनुत्तीर्ण होने की स्थिति में फीस वापस नहीं होगी।

मुख्य परीक्षा में अनुत्तीर्ण

— Failed in the main exam.

वह मुख्य परीक्षा में अनुत्तीर्ण रहा।

शारीरिक परीक्षण में अनुत्तीर्ण

— Failed in the physical test (for police/army).

वह शारीरिक परीक्षण में अनुत्तीर्ण हो गया।

Often Confused With

अनुत्तीर्ण vs असफल (Asafal)

Asafal is general; Anutteerna is specifically for exams.

अनुत्तीर्ण vs अयोग्य (Ayogya)

Ayogya means unqualified; Anutteerna means you took the test but didn't pass.

अनुत्तीर्ण vs उत्तीर्ण (Utteerna)

This is the opposite (Passed). Don't mix them up!

Idioms & Expressions

"अनुत्तीर्णता का कड़वा घूँट पीना"

— To have to accept the bitter reality of failing.

उसे अनुत्तीर्णता का कड़वा घूँट पीना पड़ा।

Literary

"अनुत्तीर्णता के अंधेरे में खोना"

— To become depressed or lost after failing.

वह अनुत्तीर्णता के अंधेरे में खो गया है।

Poetic

"अनुत्तीर्णता की मार झेलना"

— To bear the brunt or consequences of failing.

गरीब छात्र अनुत्तीर्णता की मार नहीं झेल पाते।

Metaphorical

"सफलता की सीढ़ी पर अनुत्तीर्णता"

— Seeing failure as a step toward success.

उसके लिए यह अनुत्तीर्णता सफलता की सीढ़ी थी।

Inspirational

"अनुत्तीर्णता का दाग धोना"

— To clear the 'stain' of failure by passing later.

अगले साल पास होकर उसने अनुत्तीर्णता का दाग धो दिया।

Social

"अनुत्तीर्णता के गर्त में गिरना"

— To fall into the abyss of failure.

नशे के कारण वह अनुत्तीर्णता के गर्त में गिर गया।

Dramatic

"अनुत्तीर्णता से सबक लेना"

— To learn a lesson from failing.

बुद्धिमान लोग अनुत्तीर्णता से सबक लेते हैं।

General

"अनुत्तीर्णता का पहाड़ टूटना"

— To feel crushed by the news of failing.

रिजल्ट देखकर उस पर अनुत्तीर्णता का पहाड़ टूट पड़ा।

Hyperbolic

"अनुत्तीर्णता को गले लगाना"

— To accept failure gracefully.

उसने अपनी अनुत्तीर्णता को गले लगाया और फिर से शुरू किया।

Philosophical

"अनुत्तीर्णता की दीवार"

— The barrier created by failing an exam.

अनुत्तीर्णता की दीवार ने उसकी प्रगति रोक दी।

Metaphorical

Easily Confused

अनुत्तीर्ण vs अपूर्ण

Starts with 'A' and looks similar.

Apoorna means 'incomplete', not failed.

Uska karya apoorna hai (His work is incomplete).

अनुत्तीर्ण vs अनुपस्थित

Starts with 'Anu-'.

Anupasthit means 'absent'. You can't fail if you didn't show up!

Vah pariksha mein anupasthit tha.

अनुत्तीर्ण vs अनजान

Starts with 'An-'.

Anjaan means 'unknown' or 'ignorant'.

Vah is baat se anjaan hai.

अनुत्तीर्ण vs अनावश्यक

Formal 'An-' word.

Anavashyak means 'unnecessary'.

Yah anavashyak chinta hai.

अनुत्तीर्ण vs अनुचित

Formal 'Anu-' word.

Anuchit means 'inappropriate' or 'unfair'.

Yah anuchit vyavahar hai.

Sentence Patterns

[Subject] [Subject/Exam] mein anutteerna hai.

Ram pariksha mein anutteerna hai.

[Subject] [Time] anutteerna ho gaya.

Vah kal anutteerna ho gaya.

[Subject] [Reason] ke karan anutteerna hua.

Vah kam ank ke karan anutteerna hua.

Yadi [Subject] anutteerna hota hai, toh [Result].

Yadi vah anutteerna hota hai, toh use saal dohrana hoga.

[Subject] ko [Official] dwara anutteerna ghoshit kiya gaya.

Use board dwara anutteerna ghoshit kiya gaya.

[Abstract Noun] anutteerna hone ke prabhav...

Pariksha mein anutteerna hone ke manovigyanik prabhav...

Anutteerna hone ke bavajood [Subject]...

Anutteerna hone ke bavajood usne haar nahi maani.

Kya [Subject] anutteerna hai?

Kya tum anutteerna ho?

Word Family

Nouns

अनुत्तीर्णता The state or fact of failing (Failure).

उत्तीर्णता The state of passing.

Verbs

अनुत्तीर्ण होना To fail (intransitive).

अनुत्तीर्ण करना To fail someone (transitive).

Adjectives

अनुत्तीर्ण Failed.

उत्तीर्ण Passed.

परीक्षा (Exam)

परिणाम (Result)

अंक (Marks)

श्रेणी (Division)

पूरक (Supplementary)

How to Use It

frequency

High in written academic Hindi, low in casual spoken Hindi.

Common Mistakes

वह अनुत्तीर्ण हो गई थी (referring to a machine). → वह मशीन खराब हो गई थी।
'Anutteerna' is only for human academic performance.
राम अनुत्तीर्णी है। → राम अनुत्तीर्ण है।
There is no feminine or masculine variation of 'Anutteerna'.
मैं परीक्षा अनुत्तीर्ण हुआ। → मैं परीक्षा में अनुत्तीर्ण हुआ।
The postposition 'mein' (in) is required.
व्यवसाय अनुत्तीर्ण हो गया। → व्यवसाय असफल हो गया।
'Anutteerna' is specific to exams; 'Asafal' is for business.
वह अनुत्तीर्ण हो गया, यार! (in a very casual setting) → वह फेल हो गया, यार!
'Anutteerna' is too formal for casual slang.

Tips

Invariable Adjective

Remember that 'Anutteerna' does not change to 'Anutteerne' or 'Anutteerni'. It is invariant.

Result Season

Look for this word in Indian newspapers during May and June (result season).

Prefix Power

The 'An-' prefix is a great way to learn other negative words like 'Anant' (no end) or 'Anarth' (no meaning/disaster).

The Double T

Make sure to pronounce the double 't' clearly to distinguish it from a single 't'.

Official Tone

Use this word in resumes or formal applications to sound more educated.

News Context

When you hear 'Anutteerna', expect to hear numbers or percentages following it.

Antonym Pair

Always learn 'Utteerna' and 'Anutteerna' together as a pair.

Postposition 'Mein'

Don't forget to use 'mein' (in) with the subject of the failure.

Not for Machines

Never say 'Computer anutteerna hai'. Say 'Computer kharab hai' or 'Computer ne kaam karna band kar diya'.

Abstract Usage

In high literature, it can be used for someone who failed the 'test of life', but this is rare.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Anutteerna' as 'A-New-Turn-Needed'. If you fail (Anutteerna), you need to take a 'new turn' in your studies to pass next time.

Visual Association

Imagine a big red 'X' on a paper that has the Sanskrit-style script on it. The 'An-' at the beginning is like the 'Un-' in 'Unsuccessful'.

Word Web

Exam Marks Result Teacher Student Study Fail Anutteerna

Challenge

Try to find an Indian news article online about 'Board Results' and count how many times they use 'Anutteerna' versus 'Fail'.

Word Origin

Derived from Sanskrit. It is a 'Tatsama' word, meaning it has been adopted into Hindi without any change in spelling from its original Sanskrit form.

Original meaning: The prefix 'An-' (अन्) means 'not'. 'Utteerna' (उत्तीर्ण) comes from 'ut' (up/out) + 'tr' (to cross). So, it literally means 'one who has not crossed over' (the hurdle of the exam).

Indo-Aryan / Sanskrit.

Cultural Context

Be careful when using this word directly to someone's face; it is very blunt and formal. 'Asafal' or 'Pass nahi hue' is slightly softer.

English speakers should note that while 'failed' can be used for a broken machine, 'Anutteerna' cannot. It is strictly for people failing tests.

Used in official results of the UPSC (Union Public Service Commission). Commonly found in Premchand's stories about student life. Appears in the title of various educational help-books for students who have failed.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Academic Results

रिजल्ट में अनुत्तीर्ण
मार्कशीट पर अनुत्तीर्ण
बोर्ड परीक्षा में अनुत्तीर्ण
अनुत्तीर्ण घोषित

Government Jobs

चयन प्रक्रिया में अनुत्तीर्ण
साक्षात्कार में अनुत्तीर्ण
पात्रता परीक्षा में अनुत्तीर्ण
मेरिट लिस्ट में अनुत्तीर्ण

Newspapers

अनुत्तीर्ण छात्रों का प्रतिशत
इतने छात्र अनुत्तीर्ण
अनुत्तीर्ण होने का कारण
अनुत्तीर्ण छात्रों के लिए योजना

Legal/Official

अनुत्तीर्ण करार देना
अनुत्तीर्णता की चुनौती
नियमों के अनुसार अनुत्तीर्ण
अनुत्तीर्ण श्रेणी

Formal Conversation

दुर्भाग्यवश अनुत्तीर्ण
विषय में अनुत्तीर्ण
लगातार अनुत्तीर्ण
अनुत्तीर्ण होने पर

Conversation Starters

"क्या आपने सुना कि इस साल कितने छात्र अनुत्तीर्ण हुए हैं? (Did you hear how many students failed this year?)"

"अगर कोई छात्र एक विषय में अनुत्तीर्ण हो जाए, तो क्या होगा? (If a student fails in one subject, what will happen?)"

"क्या आपको लगता है कि अनुत्तीर्ण होने पर छात्रों को दूसरा मौका मिलना चाहिए? (Do you think failed students should get a second chance?)"

"वह परीक्षा में अनुत्तीर्ण क्यों हुआ, जबकि उसने बहुत पढ़ाई की थी? (Why did he fail the exam, even though he studied a lot?)"

"अनुत्तीर्ण छात्रों के लिए आपके स्कूल में क्या विशेष कक्षाएं हैं? (What special classes are there in your school for failed students?)"

Journal Prompts

लिखिए कि जब आप पहली बार किसी परीक्षा में अनुत्तीर्ण हुए (या होने का डर था), तो आपको कैसा लगा। (Write about how you felt when you first failed an exam or feared failing.)

क्या अनुत्तीर्ण होना सफलता की पहली सीढ़ी है? अपने विचार व्यक्त करें। (Is failing the first step to success? Express your thoughts.)

भारत में अनुत्तीर्ण छात्रों के प्रति सामाजिक दृष्टिकोण पर एक लेख लिखें। (Write an article on the social perspective toward failed students in India.)

एक काल्पनिक कहानी लिखें जहाँ मुख्य पात्र अनुत्तीर्ण होने के बाद बड़ी सफलता प्राप्त करता है। (Write a fictional story where the protagonist achieves great success after failing.)

यदि आप शिक्षा मंत्री होते, तो आप अनुत्तीर्ण छात्रों की मदद कैसे करते? (If you were the Education Minister, how would you help failed students?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, 'Anutteerna' is strictly for academic or formal tests. For business, use 'Asafal' (असफल).

No, 'Anutteerna' remains the same regardless of gender. Only the verb changes (e.g., 'ho gaya' vs 'ho गई').

In daily speech, yes. 'Fail' is used by almost everyone. 'Anutteerna' is mostly for writing and formal news.

It is usually written as 'Anutteerna' or 'Anuttirna'.

The opposite is 'Utteerna' (उत्तीर्ण), which means 'passed'.

It is formal and objective, but it can be blunt. In a sensitive conversation, you might say 'Pass nahi ho paye' (Couldn't pass).

The noun form is 'Anutteerna-ta' (अनुत्तीर्णता), meaning 'failure'.

It is a Sanskrit word adopted into Hindi.

Only in formal scenes, like a teacher reading results or a serious news broadcast.

It is considered B1 level because it's a formal alternative to a basic concept.