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A2 verb #3,000 most common 7 min read

असफल होना

To fail; to not succeed in an undertaking.

asafal hona
At the A1 level, 'असफल होना' might be a bit advanced, but you can think of it as the opposite of 'सफल होना' (to succeed). It means 'to fail' or 'not to win'. You use it when you try to do something, like a small test or a game, and you don't get the result you wanted. In simple Hindi, people often use the English word 'fail', but 'असफल' is the proper Hindi word. Just remember: 'मैं असफल हुआ' means 'I failed'. It's a formal way to say things didn't go well. You will mostly see this in books or hear it from teachers. Focus on the fact that it describes a result that is not good.
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For A2 learners, 'असफल होना' is an important verb to describe setbacks. You should know that it is a compound verb. The first part 'असफल' (unsuccessful) describes the state, and 'होना' (to be) is the action. You usually use the word 'में' (in) with it. For example, 'परीक्षा में असफल' (fail in the exam). At this level, you should be able to conjugate it in the past tense: 'वह असफल हुआ' (He failed) and 'वे असफल हुए' (They failed). It's used for exams, tasks, or simple plans. It's more formal than 'फेल होना' and is good to use when you want to sound more polite or academic.
At the B1 level, you should understand that 'असफल होना' is the standard term for failure in professional and educational contexts. You can use it to describe more abstract things, like 'प्रयास' (attempt) or 'योजना' (plan). You should also notice the difference between 'असफल हुआ' (happened/became) and 'असफल रहा' (remained). 'रहा' is often used to describe a state of failure over time, like a mission that didn't work out. You can start using it in sentences like 'मेरी सारी कोशिशें असफल रहीं' (All my efforts were unsuccessful). This level requires you to handle the gender and number agreement of 'होना' perfectly with various subjects.
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At B2, you should be comfortable using 'असफल होना' in complex sentences and formal writing. You should be able to distinguish it from synonyms like 'विफल होना' (often used for plans/plots) and 'नाकाम होना' (more common in literature/Urdu-Hindi). You can use it to discuss social issues, economic failures, or historical events. For example, 'सरकार गरीबी मिटाने में असफल रही' (The government failed to eradicate poverty). You should also be able to use the noun form 'असफलता' (failure) in conjunction with the verb to discuss concepts like 'असफलता से सीखना' (learning from failure). Your usage should reflect an understanding of the word's formal register.
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For C1 learners, 'असफल होना' is a tool for nuanced analysis. You should use it to describe systemic failures, philosophical setbacks, or complex organizational issues. You might use it in the passive voice or in complex conditional sentences: 'यदि नीतियों को सही ढंग से लागू नहीं किया गया, तो पूरा तंत्र असफल हो सकता है' (If policies are not implemented correctly, the entire system might fail). You should also recognize its use in idiomatic expressions and high-level literature where it might be paired with specific adjectives to describe the *type* of failure (e.g., 'पूर्णतः असफल' - completely failed). At this level, you should also be aware of how the word functions in legal and technical Hindi.
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At the C2 level, you possess a native-like grasp of 'असफल होना'. You understand its etymological roots and its placement within the broader spectrum of Hindi vocabulary. You can use it to debate complex topics, such as the failure of ideologies or the existential failure of an individual. You can appreciate the subtle difference between 'असफल होना' and its synonyms in classical literature and contemporary political discourse. You can use it with precision in any context, from a casual conversation where you might use it ironically, to a formal dissertation. You are also capable of teaching the nuances of this verb to others, explaining why 'असफल' is chosen over 'विफल' or 'नाकाम' in specific rhetorical situations.
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Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

असफल होना in 30 Seconds

  • Formal Hindi verb for 'to fail'.
  • Opposite of 'सफल होना' (to succeed).
  • Commonly used with the postposition 'में' (in).
  • Used for exams, plans, and technical failures.

The Hindi verb phrase असफल होना (asaphal honā) is a compound verb that translates directly to 'to be unsuccessful' or 'to fail'. It is composed of the adjective 'असफल' (unsuccessful), which is the negation of 'सफल' (successful) using the prefix 'अ-', and the auxiliary verb 'होना' (to be/become). In the Hindi linguistic landscape, this term is widely used in formal, semi-formal, and academic contexts to describe the inability to achieve a desired outcome, goal, or standard. Whether it is a student failing an examination, a business venture not yielding profits, or a machine failing to operate, असफल होना serves as the primary descriptor for these occurrences.

Grammatical Category
Intransitive Verb Phrase (Compound)
Root Components
अ (not) + सफल (successful) + होना (to be)
Semantic Range
Academic failure, professional setbacks, mechanical breakdown, or personal disappointment.

"वह अपनी परीक्षा में असफल हो गया क्योंकि उसने पर्याप्त पढ़ाई नहीं की थी।" (He failed in his exam because he hadn't studied enough.)

Understanding the nuance of this word requires recognizing its formal tone. While in casual conversation one might say 'काम नहीं बना' (the work didn't happen), 'असफल होना' carries a weight of definitive non-achievement. It is the standard term used in news reports, official documents, and educational feedback. For instance, a news headline might read 'मिशन असफल रहा' (The mission remained unsuccessful/failed). The verb 'होना' in this phrase conjugates according to the subject's gender and number, and follows the standard rules for the 'होना' verb in various tenses (होता है, हुआ, होगा, आदि).

"प्रयोगशाला में यह प्रयोग तीसरी बार असफल हुआ।" (This experiment failed for the third time in the laboratory.)

In psychological and self-help contexts in Hindi, this word is often discussed in the context of growth. Phrases like 'असफलता से डरो मत' (Don't be afraid of failure) use the noun form 'असफलता', but the verbal action of 'असफल होना' is what people experience. It is important for learners to distinguish between the person (जो असफल होता है) and the act itself. In Hindi, the subject 'is' or 'becomes' unsuccessful, rather than 'doing' a failure, which reflects the 'होना' (to be) nature of the verb.

"अगर तुम कोशिश नहीं करोगे, तो तुम पहले ही असफल हो चुके हो।" (If you don't try, you have already failed.)

"योजना के कार्यान्वयन में प्रशासन असफल रहा।" (The administration failed in the implementation of the plan.)

"तकनीकी खराबी के कारण रॉकेट लॉन्च असफल हो गया।" (The rocket launch failed due to a technical glitch.)

Synonymic Nuance
'नाकाम होना' is a common Urdu-origin synonym often used in poetry and movies.
Antonymic Link
The direct opposite is 'सफल होना' (to succeed).

Using असफल होना correctly involves understanding its conjugation and the prepositions that typically accompany it. As an intransitive verb phrase, it does not take a direct object in the way 'to fail someone' might in English. Instead, you fail *in* something or *at* something. In Hindi, the postposition में (meñ - in) is most commonly used to indicate the area of failure.

1. Basic Conjugation Patterns

The verb 'होना' changes based on tense, aspect, and the subject's gender/number. Here are the most common forms:

  • Present Habitual: वह असफल होता है (He fails / He usually fails).
  • Present Continuous: वह असफल हो रहा है (He is failing).
  • Past Simple: वह असफल हुआ / रहा (He failed / He remained unsuccessful).
  • Future Simple: वह असफल होगा (He will fail).
  • Perfective: वह असफल हो गया है (He has failed).

2. Using with Postpositions

When specifying what was failed, use 'में':

  • परीक्षा में असफल होना (To fail in the exam).
  • प्रयास में असफल होना (To fail in the attempt).
  • जीवन में असफल होना (To fail in life).

3. Subject-Verb Agreement

Since 'असफल' is an adjective, it remains static, but 'होना' must agree with the subject:

  • लड़का असफल हुआ (The boy failed - Masculine Singular).
  • लड़की असफल हुई (The girl failed - Feminine Singular).
  • लड़के असफल हुए (The boys failed - Masculine Plural).

4. Formal vs. Informal

In highly formal contexts, you might see 'असफल सिद्ध होना' (to prove to be unsuccessful). In very casual speech, people might just say 'फेल हो जाना' (using the English loanword 'fail'). However, for exams and professional writing, असफल होना is the gold standard.

5. Negative Constructions

To say 'to not fail', you add 'नहीं' before the verb: 'वह असफल नहीं होगा' (He will not fail). Note that 'सफल होना' is a more positive way to express the same sentiment.

The phrase असफल होना is a staple of formal Hindi communication. You will encounter it in several specific environments:

1. Educational Institutions

This is perhaps the most common place. Teachers, report cards, and academic policies use this term. When results are announced, the distinction is usually between 'सफल' (pass/successful) and 'असफल' (fail/unsuccessful). You will hear: "दस छात्र इस विषय में असफल रहे" (Ten students failed in this subject).

2. News and Media

Journalists use this term to describe failed government policies, unsuccessful rocket launches, or failed peace talks. It provides a neutral, objective tone. A news anchor might say, "शांति वार्ता एक बार फिर असफल हो गई है" (Peace talks have failed once again).

3. Business and Corporate World

In quarterly meetings or project reviews, if a strategy didn't work, it is described as 'असफल'. "हमारी मार्केटिंग रणनीति बाजार में असफल रही" (Our marketing strategy failed in the market).

4. Literature and Self-Help

Hindi literature often explores the theme of failure. In motivational speeches, you'll hear speakers say, "असफल होने से मत डरो, क्योंकि असफलता ही सफलता की पहली सीढ़ी है" (Don't be afraid of failing, because failure is the first step to success).

5. Legal and Official Documents

If a contract is not fulfilled or a legal attempt is unsuccessful, this phrase is used in the documentation. It carries the necessary legal precision that colloquial terms lack.

Learners of Hindi often make specific errors when using असफल होना. Avoiding these will make your Hindi sound more natural and grammatically correct:

1. Using 'को' instead of 'में'

English speakers often think "I failed the exam" and try to translate it as "मैंने परीक्षा को असफल किया". This is incorrect. In Hindi, you fail *in* the exam: "मैं परीक्षा में असफल हुआ।"

2. Confusing with 'हारना' (To Lose)

While related, they are not interchangeable. 'हारना' is used for competitions (games, elections). 'असफल होना' is for goals and tasks. You don't 'असफल' a cricket match; you 'हार' it. You don't 'हार' an exam; you 'असफल' in it.

3. Incorrect Gender Agreement

Remember that 'होना' must agree with the subject. If a woman is speaking, she should say "मैं असफल हुई" not "मैं असफल हुआ".

4. Overusing it in Casual Speech

While not grammatically wrong, using 'असफल होना' when your phone doesn't work or you missed a bus sounds overly dramatic or formal. In those cases, 'काम नहीं कर रहा' or 'छूट गई' are better. Save 'असफल होना' for significant failures.

5. Transitive Misuse

'असफल होना' is intransitive. You cannot 'असफल होना' something else. If you want to say 'to make something fail', you would use a different construction like 'असफल कर देना' (to make unsuccessful), though this is less common than simply saying the thing failed.

Hindi has several words that orbit the concept of failure, each with its own flavor. Understanding these will help you choose the right word for the right context:

1. नाकाम होना (Nākām honā)

Of Persian origin, this is the most direct synonym. It is very common in Urdu-influenced Hindi, Bollywood songs, and poetry. It feels slightly more emotional than the clinical 'असफल होना'.

2. विफल होना (Viphal honā)

This is a high-register, Sanskritized synonym. It is often used for plans, schemes, or conspiracies. If a 'साजिश' (conspiracy) fails, 'विफल' is the preferred word. It sounds very formal and authoritative.

3. हारना (Hārnā)

As mentioned, this means 'to lose'. Use this for sports, battles, or any head-to-head competition. Example: "भारत मैच हार गया" (India lost the match).

4. फेल होना (Phel honā)

This is the English loanword 'fail'. It is extremely common in daily conversation, especially among students. If you are talking to a friend about a test, 'फेल होना' is more natural than 'असफल होना'.

5. मात खाना (Māt khānā)

Literally 'to eat checkmate'. It means to be defeated or to suffer a setback, often due to someone else's superior strategy. It is more idiomatic.

6. धड़ाम होना (Dhaṛām honā)

An onomatopoeic word suggesting a sudden, crashing failure. Used for stock market crashes or the sudden collapse of a business.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

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Informal

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Slang

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Difficulty Rating

Grammar to Know

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Examples by Level

1

वह परीक्षा में असफल हुआ।

He failed in the exam.

Past tense of 'होना' (masculine singular).

2

क्या तुम असफल हुए?

Did you fail?

Interrogative sentence in past tense.

3

मैं असफल नहीं होना चाहता।

I do not want to fail.

Negative construction with 'चाहना' (to want).

4

यह खेल में असफल रहा।

He failed in the game.

Using 'रहा' to show the state of being unsuccessful.

5

सीता असफल हुई।

Sita failed.

Feminine singular agreement: 'हुई'.

6

वे सब असफल हुए।

They all failed.

Masculine plural agreement: 'हुए'.

7

कोशिश करो, असफल मत हो।

Try, don't fail.

Imperative (command) form.

8

वह छोटा बच्चा असफल हुआ।

That small child failed.

Simple subject-verb agreement.

1

वह समय पर पहुँचने में असफल रहा।

He failed to reach on time.

Using 'में' with an infinitive noun (पहुँचने).

2

हमारी टीम मैच में असफल रही।

Our team failed in the match.

Feminine subject 'टीम' leads to 'रही'.

3

क्या वह अपनी योजना में असफल हुआ?

Did he fail in his plan?

Question form with possessive 'अपनी'.

4

मैंने बहुत कोशिश की, पर मैं असफल रहा।

I tried a lot, but I failed.

Compound sentence using 'पर' (but).

5

वह खाना बनाने में असफल हुई।

She failed at cooking food.

Feminine singular agreement.

6

मशीन काम करने में असफल रही।

The machine failed to work.

Inanimate subject agreement.

7

अगर तुम नहीं पढ़ोगे, तो तुम असफल हो जाओगे।

If you don't study, you will fail.

Conditional sentence (Future tense).

8

वे इस काम में असफल हो सकते हैं।

They might fail in this work.

Using 'सकना' (can/might) for possibility.

1

भारी बारिश के कारण कार्यक्रम असफल रहा।

The event failed due to heavy rain.

Using 'के कारण' (due to) to show cause.

2

वह अपनी भावनाओं को छुपाने में असफल रहा।

He failed to hide his emotions.

Abstract usage with 'भावनाओं' (emotions).

3

नया व्यवसाय पहले साल में असफल हो गया।

The new business failed in the first year.

Perfective aspect 'हो गया'.

4

डॉक्टर मरीज को बचाने में असफल रहे।

The doctors failed to save the patient.

Respectful plural 'रहे' for a professional.

5

पुलिस चोर को पकड़ने में असफल रही।

The police failed to catch the thief.

Collective noun 'पुलिस' is feminine in Hindi.

6

वह अपनी बुरी आदतों को छोड़ने में असफल हुआ।

He failed to give up his bad habits.

Using 'छोड़ने' (leaving/giving up).

7

यह फिल्म बॉक्स ऑफिस पर असफल रही।

This movie failed at the box office.

Specific idiom 'बॉक्स ऑफिस पर'.

8

बिना तैयारी के तुम निश्चित रूप से असफल होगे।

Without preparation, you will definitely fail.

Use of 'निश्चित रूप से' (definitely).

1

सरकार भ्रष्टाचार को रोकने में पूरी तरह असफल रही है।

The government has completely failed to stop corruption.

Present perfect tense with 'पूरी तरह' (completely).

2

वैज्ञानिक इस रहस्य को सुलझाने में असफल रहे।

Scientists failed to solve this mystery.

Plural subject agreement.

3

उसका अहंकार ही उसकी असफलता का कारण बना, वह हर जगह असफल हुआ।

His ego was the cause of his failure; he failed everywhere.

Connecting the noun 'असफलता' and the verb 'असफल होना'.

4

शांति वार्ता के सभी प्रयास असफल हो गए।

All attempts at peace talks failed.

Plural subject 'प्रयास' (attempts).

5

वह अपनी योग्यता साबित करने में असफल रहा।

He failed to prove his competence.

Abstract concept 'योग्यता' (competence/ability).

6

कंपनी अपनी बिक्री का लक्ष्य प्राप्त करने में असफल रही।

The company failed to achieve its sales target.

Business context.

7

विपक्ष सरकार को गिराने में असफल रहा।

The opposition failed to topple the government.

Political context.

8

तकनीकी खराबी की वजह से मिशन असफल हो सकता था।

The mission could have failed due to a technical glitch.

Conditional past 'हो सकता था' (could have been).

1

आर्थिक नीतियों के गलत क्रियान्वयन के कारण योजना असफल रही।

The plan failed due to the wrong implementation of economic policies.

High-level vocabulary: 'क्रियान्वयन' (implementation).

2

वह अपने अस्तित्व के अर्थ को समझने में असफल रहा।

He failed to understand the meaning of his existence.

Philosophical context.

3

संस्था अपने नैतिक मूल्यों को बनाए रखने में असफल हुई।

The organization failed to maintain its ethical values.

Institutional/Ethical context.

4

न्याय प्रणाली आम आदमी को न्याय दिलाने में अक्सर असफल रहती है।

The justice system often fails to provide justice to the common man.

Social critique.

5

लेखक अपनी भावनाओं को शब्दों में पिरोने में असफल रहा।

The author failed to weave his emotions into words.

Literary metaphor 'शब्दों में पिरोना'.

6

यह संधि दोनों देशों के बीच तनाव कम करने में असफल सिद्ध हुई।

This treaty proved to be unsuccessful in reducing tension between the two countries.

Formal phrase 'असफल सिद्ध होना' (to prove to be unsuccessful).

7

आधुनिक समाज मानवीय संवेदनाओं को बचाने में असफल हो रहा है।

Modern society is failing to save human sensitivities.

Present continuous tense for a broad trend.

8

यदि नेतृत्व दूरदर्शी न हो, तो बड़े से बड़ा संगठन भी असफल हो जाता है।

If the leadership is not visionary, even the largest organization fails.

Complex conditional sentence.

1

मानव सभ्यता के इतिहास में कई महान साम्राज्य अपने ही अंतर्विरोधों के कारण असफल हुए।

In the history of human civilization, many great empires failed due to their own internal contradictions.

Historical/Academic analysis.

2

वह अपनी कला के माध्यम से सत्य को अभिव्यक्त करने में पूर्णतः असफल रहा।

He was completely unsuccessful in expressing the truth through his art.

Aesthetic/Critical usage.

3

वैश्वीकरण की प्रक्रिया विकासशील देशों में आर्थिक समानता लाने में काफी हद तक असफल रही है।

The process of globalization has been largely unsuccessful in bringing economic equality to developing countries.

Socio-economic analysis.

4

दार्शनिकों का तर्क है कि भाषा अक्सर गहनतम अनुभवों को व्यक्त करने में असफल हो जाती है।

Philosophers argue that language often fails to express the deepest experiences.

Epistemological context.

5

पर्यावरण संरक्षण के अंतरराष्ट्रीय प्रयास राजनीतिक इच्छाशक्ति की कमी के कारण असफल होते दिख रहे हैं।

International efforts for environmental protection seem to be failing due to a lack of political will.

Using 'होते दिख रहे हैं' (seem to be becoming).

6

मनोवैज्ञानिक विश्लेषण के अनुसार, वह अपनी दमित इच्छाओं को नियंत्रित करने में असफल रहा।

According to psychological analysis, he failed to control his repressed desires.

Psychological terminology.

7

शिक्षा पद्धति का यह ढांचा छात्रों में आलोचनात्मक सोच विकसित करने में असफल रहा है।

This structure of the education system has failed to develop critical thinking in students.

Pedagogical critique.

8

उनकी कूटनीतिक पहल क्षेत्रीय स्थिरता सुनिश्चित करने में अंततः असफल रही।

Their diplomatic initiative ultimately failed to ensure regional stability.

Geopolitical context.

Common Collocations

परीक्षा में असफल होना
प्रयास में असफल होना
योजना में असफल होना
पूरी तरह असफल होना
बुरी तरह असफल होना
मिशन में असफल होना
लक्ष्य प्राप्त करने में असफल होना
समझने में असफल होना
रोकने में असफल होना
साबित करने में असफल होना

Common Phrases

असफल होने का डर

बार-बार असफल होना

अंततः असफल होना

प्रयास असफल रहा

वह फिर से असफल हुआ

Often Confused With

असफल होना vs हारना (to lose a game)

असफल होना vs विफल (more for plans/conspiracies)

असफल होना vs गलती (a mistake, not necessarily a failure)

Idioms & Expressions

""

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Easily Confused

असफल होना vs विफल

Used for plans or plots; more formal.

असफल होना vs नाकाम

Urdu origin; common in emotional/literary contexts.

असफल होना vs पराजित

Specifically means 'defeated' in battle or competition.

Sentence Patterns

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How to Use It

nuance

It is more formal than 'नाकाम' and less technical than 'विफल'.

frequency

Very high in formal Hindi.

Common Mistakes
  • Saying 'परीक्षा को असफल होना' instead of 'परीक्षा में'.
  • Using 'असफल' as a verb without 'होना'.
  • Forgetting to change 'हुआ' to 'हुई' for feminine subjects.
  • Using it for losing a game (where 'हारना' is better).
  • Using 'ने' with the subject in the past tense.

Tips

Agreement

Always check the gender of the subject. 'योजना' is feminine, so 'योजना असफल हुई'.

Synonyms

Use 'विफल' for high-level writing about government or strategy.

Sensitivity

Be careful when using this word about people's lives; it can sound harsh.

Pronunciation

The 'a' at the start is short, like 'u' in 'up'.

Postposition

Remember to use 'में' (in) for the subject of failure.

Formal Tone

Use 'रहा' instead of 'हुआ' for a more professional sounding past tense.

Context

In news, 'असफल' often implies a lack of consensus or result.

Fruit

Remember: No Fruit = Asaphal.

Prefix

The 'A-' prefix is the key to the negative meaning.

Variety

Mix with 'नाकाम' in creative writing to avoid repetition.

Memorize It

Word Origin

Sanskrit-derived (Tatsama)

Cultural Context

In philosophical Hindi, failure is often seen as a temporary state of the 'maya' (illusion).

The phrase is central to discussions about the Indian education system.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Conversation Starters

"क्या आप कभी किसी चीज़ में असफल हुए हैं?"

"अगर कोई छात्र परीक्षा में असफल हो जाए, तो उसे क्या करना चाहिए?"

"क्या असफल होना हमेशा बुरा होता है?"

"आपका सबसे बड़ा डर क्या है? असफल होना?"

"कौन सी चीज़ एक योजना को असफल बना देती है?"

Journal Prompts

एक समय के बारे में लिखें जब आप असफल हुए और आपने उससे क्या सीखा।

क्या आपको लगता है कि समाज असफल लोगों के साथ सही व्यवहार करता है?

असफलता की परिभाषा आपके लिए क्या है?

लिखें कि आप अपनी अगली परीक्षा में असफल होने से कैसे बचेंगे।

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, it can describe a person failing a task or a role, like 'वह एक पिता के रूप में असफल रहा' (He failed as a father).

It's better to use 'खराब होना' for machines. 'असफल' is usually for human efforts or systems.

The noun form is 'असफलता' (asaphalta), meaning 'failure'.

Yes, 'फेल होना' is very common in spoken Hindi, but avoid it in formal writing.

No, because it is an intransitive verb phrase. You say 'वह असफल हुआ', not 'उसने असफल हुआ'.

Hindi uses 'किसी को फेल करना' or 'किसी की उम्मीदों पर खरा न उतरना' (not meeting expectations).

The opposite is 'सफल होना' (to succeed).

Yes, but 'हारना' is more common for losing a match.

In medical Hindi, 'हृदय गति रुकना' is used, but 'हार्ट फेल' is common colloquially.

Yes, it is a basic and essential word for any Hindi learner.

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