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विफलता

A2 noun #3,500 most common 12 min read

विफलता

vifalta Top 3,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips विफलता in 30 Seconds

Explanation विफलता in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to use 'viphaltā' often. It is a big word! Instead, you might learn 'haar' (defeat) or just say 'fail'. However, it's good to know that 'viphaltā' means 'failure'. Think of it as the opposite of 'success'. In Hindi, success is 'safalta'. So, 'viphaltā' is when things don't go right. You might hear it in very simple stories about people trying hard. Remember, it is a feminine word, so you say 'meri viphaltā' (my failure). Don't worry about using it in complex ways yet. Just recognize it when you see it in a book or hear it in a formal announcement. It sounds like 'vi-phal-taa'. The 'phal' part means 'fruit', so 'viphaltā' is like a tree that didn't grow any fruit. This makes it easier to remember. If you try to bake a cake and it burns, a teacher might call it a 'viphaltā' of the recipe!

At the A2 level, you are starting to use more specific nouns. 'Viphaltā' is a great word to add to your vocabulary to sound more advanced than just saying 'fail'. You can use it to talk about simple plans that didn't work. For example, 'Meri yojana viphala rahi' (My plan was unsuccessful). Notice how the noun 'viphaltā' becomes the adjective 'viphala' in that sentence. You should know that 'viphaltā' is a feminine noun. This means if you use a word like 'big' (badi) or 'small' (chhoti) with it, you must use the feminine ending. Example: 'Badi viphaltā' (A big failure). You will see this word in school books and simple news headlines. It's more formal than 'haar' (defeat in a game). Use it when you want to be serious about something not working out. It's a very common word in moral stories where characters learn from their mistakes.

As a B1 learner, you should be comfortable using 'viphaltā' in formal writing and discussions. You can distinguish it from 'asafalta' (general failure) and 'haar' (defeat in sports). At this level, you can use it in sentences like 'Viphaltā se ghabrana nahi chahiye' (One should not be afraid of failure). You should also start noticing collocations—words that naturally go together. For example, 'viphaltā ka swad chakhna' (to taste failure) or 'viphaltā ki zimmedari' (responsibility for failure). You can use it to talk about social issues, like the failure of a local project or a school event. Your grammar should be precise: 'viphaltā hui' (failure happened) rather than 'viphaltā hua'. This word will help you transition from basic conversational Hindi to a more academic or professional style. It's also useful for discussing personal growth and learning from setbacks in a more mature way.

At the B2 level, you should understand the deeper nuances of 'viphaltā'. You can use it to describe systemic failures, such as 'bazar ki viphaltā' (market failure) or 'prashasan ki viphaltā' (administrative failure). You are expected to use it correctly in complex sentence structures, including those with relative clauses. For example: 'Vah viphaltā, jisne use tod diya tha, ab uski shakti ban gayi hai' (That failure, which had broken him, has now become his strength). You should also be aware of its Sanskrit roots and how the prefix 'vi-' changes the meaning of 'phala' (result). At this stage, you can use the word in debates to argue about policy outcomes or historical events. You should also be able to recognize it in high-level literature and understand the emotional weight it carries compared to the more clinical 'asafalta'. Your pronunciation should be natural, with the correct emphasis on the 'tā' suffix.

For C1 learners, 'viphaltā' is a tool for precise expression. You should be able to use it in professional environments, such as during a business presentation or a legal discussion. You can analyze why 'viphaltā' occurred using advanced vocabulary: 'ranneetik viphaltā' (strategic failure), 'sanrachnatmak viphaltā' (structural failure), or 'manovigyanik viphaltā' (psychological failure). You should also be familiar with idiomatic uses and how the word appears in formal editorials. At this level, you can contrast 'viphaltā' with Urdu equivalents like 'nakami' to change the tone of your speech from formal/academic to poetic/emotive. You should be able to write long essays where 'viphaltā' is a central theme, discussing its role in human progress and innovation. Your usage should be flawless, reflecting an understanding of its feminine gender and its role in oblique cases without any hesitation.

At the C2 level, you have a native-like grasp of 'viphaltā'. You can use it to explore philosophical concepts, such as the 'inevitability of failure' in human endeavors. You understand its place in the history of the Hindi language and its relationship with other Sanskrit-derived abstract nouns. You can use it in highly sophisticated ways, such as in literary criticism or philosophical treatises. You might use it to discuss the 'viphaltā' of an entire philosophical movement or a century of political thought. You are also capable of using it ironically or with subtle shades of meaning that only a highly proficient speaker would catch. Your ability to switch between 'viphaltā', 'asafalta', 'nakami', and 'parajay' is seamless, allowing you to control the exact emotional and intellectual register of your communication. You can speak for extended periods on the topic of failure, using 'viphaltā' as a cornerstone of your discourse with perfect grammatical and stylistic accuracy.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

विफलता in 30 Seconds

विफलता (Viphaltā) means failure or lack of success in Hindi.
It is a formal, feminine noun derived from Sanskrit roots.
Commonly used in news, academic writing, and motivational contexts.
A key synonym for 'asafalta' but with a more serious tone.

The Hindi word विफलता (viphaltā) is a sophisticated noun that translates primarily to 'failure' or 'lack of success' in English. It is derived from the Sanskrit root 'viphala', where 'vi' acts as a prefix denoting negation or deviation, and 'phala' means fruit or result. Therefore, etymologically, viphaltā signifies a state where the 'fruit' of one's labor is not obtained, or the outcome is contrary to the desired goal. In the landscape of Hindi vocabulary, while words like 'haar' (defeat) or 'asafalta' (unsuccess) are common, viphaltā carries a slightly more formal and often more profound weight. It is frequently employed in literature, news reporting, and formal speeches to describe the failure of a system, a policy, or a significant human endeavor. Understanding this word requires looking beyond a simple dictionary definition; it encapsulates the emotional and structural weight of an unsuccessful attempt. When a mission fails, or when a government policy does not yield results, viphaltā is the term of choice. It suggests a systemic or complete lack of success rather than just a temporary setback.

Register: Formal and Literary. Used in professional contexts, academic writing, and serious journalism.

योजना की विफलता का मुख्य कारण संसाधनों की कमी थी। (The main reason for the failure of the plan was the lack of resources.)

In everyday conversation, you might hear 'asafalta' more often, but when a speaker wants to emphasize the gravity of the situation, they pivot to viphaltā. For instance, in a corporate setting, a manager might discuss the 'viphaltā' of a marketing campaign to indicate a serious post-mortem analysis. In spiritual or philosophical discourses, this word is used to describe the failure of worldly desires to provide lasting peace. It is a noun that demands a certain level of respect and attention. It is also important to note its grammatical gender; viphaltā is feminine, which dictates the adjectives and verbs associated with it. You would say 'badi viphaltā' (big failure) using the feminine form of 'bada'.

Grammatical Gender: Feminine (स्त्रीलिंग). Influences verb endings and adjective forms.

उनकी रणनीतिक विफलता ने सबको चौंका दिया। (Their strategic failure surprised everyone.)

Furthermore, the word is often paired with verbs like 'milna' (to get/receive) or 'haath lagna' (to come to hand). When someone experiences failure, we say 'unhe viphaltā mili'. This construction treats failure as an entity that one encounters on a journey. It is also used to describe the failure of organs in a medical context, such as 'hridaya viphaltā' for heart failure, though 'viphaltā' is more abstract than 'rukna' (stopping). In the context of technology, a system failure is often termed 'tantra ki viphaltā'. This versatility makes it an essential word for intermediate and advanced learners who wish to move beyond basic vocabulary and express complex ideas with precision.

Synonym Comparison: Compared to 'Asafalta', 'Viphaltā' sounds more absolute and formal. 'Haar' is specifically for defeat in a contest or battle.

जीवन में विफलता से डरना नहीं चाहिए। (One should not be afraid of failure in life.)

सरकार अपनी नीतियों की विफलता स्वीकार नहीं कर रही है। (The government is not accepting the failure of its policies.)

बार-बार की विफलता ने उसे और भी मजबूत बना दिया। (Repeated failure made him even stronger.)

Using विफलता correctly involves understanding its role as a feminine noun and its typical collocations. In Hindi, nouns often drive the structure of the entire sentence. Since viphaltā ends in 'tā', it follows the pattern of many abstract nouns. When you want to say 'his failure', you must use the feminine possessive 'uski' instead of the masculine 'uska'. For example, 'uski viphaltā' (his/her failure). This is a common point of error for English speakers who are not used to abstract concepts having gender. When constructing sentences about experiencing failure, the verb 'milna' (to get) is the most natural partner. You don't just 'have' failure; you 'receive' it as a result of an action. For instance, 'use prayas mein viphaltā mili' (he received failure in the attempt). This structure emphasizes the outcome of a process.

Common Verb Pairings: Milna (to get), Jhelna (to endure), Sweekarna (to accept), Chhipana (to hide).

हमें अपनी विफलता से सीखना चाहिए। (We should learn from our failure.)

Another important aspect is the use of postpositions. Since viphaltā is the object of many sentences, it often precedes 'ka', 'ke', or 'ki'. Because it is feminine, the possessive marker following it will usually be 'ki' if the next word is also feminine, or 'ke' in certain oblique cases. Example: 'viphaltā ki wajah' (the reason for failure). Here, 'wajah' is also feminine. If you are describing the cause of a failure, you would use 'viphaltā ka karan' (the cause of failure), where 'karan' is masculine. These subtle shifts are key to sounding like a native speaker. In more complex sentences, viphaltā can be the subject: 'Viphaltā hi safaltā ki pehli sidhi hai' (Failure is the first step to success). This is a popular motivational proverb in Hindi-speaking regions.

Sentence Structure Tip: Always check the gender of the noun following 'viphaltā' to decide between 'ka', 'ke', or 'ki'.

उसने अपनी विफलता की पूरी जिम्मेदारी ली। (He took full responsibility for his failure.)

In academic writing, you will see viphaltā used to describe the failure of experiments or theories. 'Prayog ki viphaltā' (the failure of the experiment) sounds much more professional than 'prayog ka na chalna'. Similarly, in political science, one might discuss 'loktantra ki viphaltā' (the failure of democracy). The word allows for a level of abstraction that is necessary for higher-level discourse. It is not just about losing a game; it is about the collapse of an intended outcome. By practicing sentences that place viphaltā in various positions—subject, object, and within prepositional phrases—you will gain a command over its formal and semi-formal usage. Remember to keep the tone serious; this is not a word usually used for trivial mistakes like dropping a spoon.

क्या तुम अपनी विफलता का कारण जानते हो? (Do you know the reason for your failure?)

लगातार विफलता के बावजूद उसने हार नहीं मानी। (Despite continuous failure, he did not give up.)

इस मिशन की विफलता एक बड़ा सबक है। (The failure of this mission is a big lesson.)

You will encounter विफलता in several specific environments. The most common is in the Hindi news media. News anchors often use this word when discussing the 'viphaltā' of government talks, the 'viphaltā' of a police investigation, or the 'viphaltā' of a ceasefire agreement. It provides a neutral yet serious tone that fits the journalistic standard. When watching a Hindi news channel like NDTV India or Aaj Tak, listen for this word during segments on policy analysis or international relations. It is also a staple in motivational speaking and self-help literature in India. Influential speakers like Sandeep Maheshwari or writers who translate Western self-help into Hindi frequently use viphaltā to discuss the psychological impact of not meeting goals. They might say, 'Viphaltā se daro mat' (Don't be afraid of failure), framing it as a necessary stepping stone.

Media Contexts: News Bulletins, Editorial Columns, Political Debates, Business Reports.

वार्ता की विफलता ने तनाव बढ़ा दिया है। (The failure of the talks has increased tension.)

In the academic world, teachers use this word when discussing historical events or scientific outcomes. A history teacher might talk about the 'viphaltā' of the 1857 revolt (1857 के विद्रोह की विफलता). In this context, it isn't just a loss; it's a structural failure to achieve an objective. You will also find it in legal documents and official government reports. If a commission is set up to investigate why a bridge collapsed, the final report will likely use the word viphaltā to describe the technical or administrative lapses. Interestingly, in Bollywood movies, while 'haar' is used for dramatic defeats in love or war, viphaltā might appear in a more philosophical monologue by a mentor character, discussing the broader meaning of life's struggles.

Academic/Historical Usage: Describing the outcome of revolutions, scientific trials, or economic policies.

आर्थिक नीतियों की विफलता से गरीबी बढ़ी। (Poverty increased due to the failure of economic policies.)

If you are preparing for competitive exams in India like the UPSC (Civil Services), viphaltā is a keyword you must master. It appears in essay topics and ethics papers. Understanding its nuances helps in writing balanced arguments about why certain social schemes fail. In literature, poets and novelists use it to evoke a sense of tragedy or the harsh reality of human existence. In summary, while you might not use it to tell your friend you failed a small quiz (you'd use 'fail ho gaya' or 'asafal raha'), you will hear it whenever the conversation turns to significant, impactful, or formal discussions of lack of success. It is a word that signals 'seriousness' and 'depth'.

प्रणाली की विफलता को सुधारने की जरूरत है। (There is a need to correct the failure of the system.)

उनकी प्रेम कहानी की विफलता दुखद थी। (The failure of their love story was sad.)

बाजार की विफलता के कई कारण हो सकते हैं। (There can be many reasons for market failure.)

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make with विफलता is related to its grammatical gender. As mentioned, it is feminine. Many students, influenced by the English 'failure' (which is gender-neutral), tend to use masculine adjectives or verbs. Saying 'Mera viphaltā' (My failure - masculine) is incorrect; it should be 'Meri viphaltā'. Similarly, 'Viphaltā hua' (Failure happened - masculine verb) is wrong; the correct form is 'Viphaltā hui'. Paying attention to these endings is crucial for grammatical accuracy. Another common error is confusing viphaltā with 'haar'. While both relate to not winning, 'haar' is specifically used for defeat in a competition, match, or battle. You wouldn't say 'heart failure' is 'hridaya ki haar'; it must be 'hridaya ki viphaltā' or 'hridaya ka kaam na karna'.

Common Error: Gender: Incorrect: Uska viphaltā bada tha. Correct: Uski viphaltā badi thi.

यह मेरी पहली विफलता थी। (This was my first failure.)

Another nuance is the distinction between 'asafalta' and viphaltā. While they are often interchangeable, 'asafalta' is the direct antonym of 'safalta' (success) and is used in almost any context. Viphaltā is more formal. Using viphaltā in a very casual setting, like failing to catch a bus, might sound overly dramatic or unnatural. For small, everyday mishaps, Hindi speakers often use English loanwords like 'fail' or simpler Hindi terms. Using viphaltā implies a certain gravity. Another mistake is in the spelling and pronunciation. The 'vi-' prefix should be short and crisp. Some learners elongate the 'i' sound, which changes the rhythm of the word. Also, ensure the 'l' in the middle is clearly articulated before the 'tā' suffix.

Common Error: Over-formality: Using 'viphaltā' for minor daily errors makes you sound like a textbook or a news reporter.

उसकी विफलता का मजाक मत उड़ाओ। (Don't make fun of his failure.)

Finally, learners sometimes struggle with the plural form. In modern Hindi, abstract nouns like viphaltā are rarely used in the plural. Instead of saying 'viphaltāyein' (failures), speakers usually say 'kayi baar ki viphaltā' (failure of many times) or use 'asafaltayein' if a plural is absolutely necessary. Stick to the singular form in 99% of cases to remain natural. Avoid using it as a verb; viphaltā is strictly a noun. If you want to say 'to fail', you must use 'viphala hona' or 'asafal hona'. For example, 'Vah viphala raha' (He remained unsuccessful/failed). Understanding these boundaries will help you use the word with the same precision as a native speaker.

मशीन की विफलता ने काम रोक दिया। (The failure of the machine stopped the work.)

प्रशासन की विफलता स्पष्ट है। (The failure of the administration is clear.)

उसकी योजना की विफलता का डर था। (There was a fear of the failure of his plan.)

To truly master विफलता, you should know its synonyms and how they differ in nuance. The most common synonym is असफलता (asafaltā). While both mean failure, 'asafalta' is the direct opposite of 'safalta' (success) and is used universally from school exams to life goals. Viphaltā, as discussed, is more formal and often used for systems or grander failures. Another close term is हार (hār), which means 'defeat'. This is used when there is a clear opponent or a competition involved. You 'lose' (haar) a cricket match, but a peace treaty 'fails' (viphaltā). If you are talking about a crushing defeat or a total rout, you might use पराजय (parajay), which is a high-literary word for defeat.

Comparison: Viphaltā vs. Asafalta: Viphaltā: Formal, systemic, often used in news/literature. Asafalta: General, personal, common in daily speech.

चुनाव में हार के बाद उसने राजनीति छोड़ दी। (After the defeat in the election, he left politics.)

In technical contexts, you might use खराबी (kharābī) for a mechanical failure or breakdown. For example, 'engine mein kharabi' (failure/fault in the engine). While viphaltā could be used for 'engine failure' in a formal report, 'kharabi' is what you'd say to a mechanic. Another interesting word is नाकामी (nākāmī), which comes from Urdu. It has a poetic and slightly more emotional touch than the Sanskrit-derived viphaltā. You will often hear 'nakami' in Bollywood songs or Urdu poetry to describe failure in love or life's efforts. Choosing between these words depends entirely on the 'register' or the atmosphere you want to create in your speech or writing.

Synonym Register: Hār (Common/Sports), Nakāmi (Poetic/Urdu), Asafaltā (Standard), Viphaltā (Formal/Technical).

मशीन में खराबी की वजह से काम रुक गया। (Work stopped due to a fault/failure in the machine.)

For learners, the best strategy is to use 'asafalta' as your default and switch to viphaltā when writing formally or discussing serious topics like 'heart failure' or 'system failure'. If you are talking about sports, always use 'haar'. By understanding these distinctions, you avoid the 'dictionary trap' where every English word is mapped to only one Hindi word regardless of context. For instance, 'failure' in an exam is 'fail hona' (informal) or 'asafal hona' (standard), but the 'failure of a revolution' is 'kranti ki viphaltā'. This level of precision is what separates a beginner from an advanced student of Hindi. Practice identifying these words in newspapers to see how journalists choose between them based on the gravity of the news.

प्रयास की नाकामी ने उसे निराश कर दिया। (The failure of the attempt made him disappointed.)

यह एक बड़ी रणनीतिक पराजय थी। (This was a major strategic defeat.)

उसकी असफलता का कोई बहाना नहीं है। (There is no excuse for his failure/unsuccess.)

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"प्रशासन की विफलता के कारण यह घटना हुई।"

Neutral

"हमें अपनी विफलता से सीखना चाहिए।"

Informal

"यार, इस बार भी विफलता ही हाथ लगी।"

Child friendly

"अगर आप गिर जाते हैं, तो वह एक छोटी विफलता है, फिर से उठो!"

Slang

"पूरा सीन ही विफलता है भाई।"

Fun Fact

The root word 'phal' (fruit) is used in many Hindi words to describe outcomes. Just as a tree might fail to produce fruit, a human effort might fail to produce a 'phal' (result).

Pronunciation Guide

UK /vɪ.pʰəl.t̪ɑː/

US /vɪ.fəl.tɑ/

The primary stress is on the last syllable 'tā'.

Rhymes With

सफलता (safaltā) कुशलता (kushaltā) चंचलता (chanchaltā) कोमलता (komaltā) विशालता (vishaltā) सरलता (saraltā) कठोरता (kathortā) सुंदरता (sundartā)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'ph' as a hard 'p' without aspiration.
Using an English 't' (alveolar) instead of the Hindi dental 't'.
Elongating the first 'i' sound (making it 'vee-phaltā').
Pronouncing 'v' as a hard 'w'.
Dropping the 'l' sound in fast speech.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

The word is easy to read but appears in complex sentences.

Writing 4/5

Requires correct gender agreement (feminine).

Speaking 3/5

Aspiration of 'ph' and dental 't' require practice.

Listening 2/5

Easily recognizable in formal broadcasts.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

फल (Fruit/Result) सफलता (Success) काम (Work) नहीं (No/Not) होना (To be)

Learn Next

प्रयास (Effort) संघर्ष (Struggle) लक्ष्य (Goal) परिणाम (Result) अनुभव (Experience)

Advanced

दिवालियापन (Bankruptcy) पतन (Downfall) अधोगति (Degradation) निष्फलता (Ineffectiveness) निरर्थकता (Futility)

Grammar to Know

Abstract Nouns in '-tā'

Words like विफलता, सफलता, सुंदरता are always feminine.

Gender Agreement with Nouns

बड़ी विफलता (Badi viphaltā) - Adjective must be feminine.

Postposition 'Ke' with 'Baavjood'

विफलता के बावजूद (Despite failure).

Ergative Case (Ne) and Nouns

उसने विफलता को स्वीकार किया (He accepted the failure).

Possessive 'Ki' for Feminine Nouns

राम की विफलता (Ram's failure).

Examples by Level

यह एक विफलता है।

This is a failure.

Simple 'Subject + Noun + Verb' structure.

विफलता बुरी होती है।

Failure is bad.

Adjective 'buri' is feminine to match 'viphaltā'.

क्या यह विफलता है?

Is this a failure?

Question form using 'kya'.

वह विफलता से डरा।

He was afraid of failure.

'Se' is the postposition for 'from/of' in this context.

मेरी विफलता छोटी है।

My failure is small.

'Meri' and 'chhoti' are feminine forms.

विफलता मत देखो।

Don't look at the failure.

Imperative negative with 'mat'.

यह उसकी विफलता थी।

This was her failure.

'Uski' is used for 'her' (feminine).

विफलता से सीखो।

Learn from failure.

Imperative 'seekho' (learn).

परीक्षा में विफलता दुखद है।

Failure in the exam is sad.

'Mein' indicates 'in'.

उनकी योजना की विफलता हुई।

Their plan's failure happened.

Verb 'hui' is feminine to match 'viphaltā'.

विफलता के बाद वह रोया।

He cried after the failure.

'Ke baad' means 'after'.

क्या तुम विफलता से डरते हो?

Are you afraid of failure?

Present simple question.

यह एक बड़ी विफलता थी।

It was a big failure.

'Badi' is the feminine form of 'bada' (big).

विफलता का कारण क्या है?

What is the cause of the failure?

'Ka' is used because 'karan' (cause) is masculine.

हमें विफलता स्वीकार करनी चाहिए।

We should accept failure.

'Chahiye' means 'should'.

विफलता सफलता की ओर एक कदम है।

Failure is a step towards success.

'Ki or' means 'towards'.

लगातार विफलता के बावजूद उसने कोशिश जारी रखी।

Despite continuous failure, he continued to try.

'Ke baavjood' is a complex postposition meaning 'despite'.

सरकार अपनी विफलता को छिपा नहीं सकती।

The government cannot hide its failure.

'Sakti' matches the feminine 'viphaltā'.

विफलता का स्वाद चखना भी जरूरी है।

It is also necessary to taste failure.

'Swad chakhna' is a common metaphorical phrase.

उसकी विफलता का मुख्य कारण आलस्य था।

The main reason for his failure was laziness.

'Mukhya' means 'main'.

क्या आप अपनी विफलता की जिम्मेदारी लेंगे?

Will you take responsibility for your failure?

Future tense question.

यह विफलता हमें बहुत कुछ सिखाती है।

This failure teaches us a lot.

'Sikhati' is feminine to match 'viphaltā'.

विफलता के डर से लोग प्रयास नहीं करते।

People don't try because of the fear of failure.

'Ke dar se' means 'out of fear of'.

उसने अपनी विफलता को अपनी ताकत बना लिया।

He made his failure his strength.

Compound verb 'bana liya'.

बाजार की विफलता को रोकने के लिए नए नियम बनाए गए।

New rules were made to prevent market failure.

Passive construction 'banaye gaye'.

प्रणाली की विफलता ने पूरे शहर को प्रभावित किया।

The failure of the system affected the whole city.

'Pranali' (system) is feminine.

उनकी रणनीतिक विफलता का विश्लेषण किया जा रहा है।

Their strategic failure is being analyzed.

Continuous passive 'kiya ja raha hai'.

विफलता एक अंत नहीं, बल्कि एक नई शुरुआत है।

Failure is not an end, but a new beginning.

'Balki' means 'but rather'.

वैज्ञानिकों ने अपनी विफलता के कारणों पर चर्चा की।

Scientists discussed the reasons for their failure.

'Ke karanon par' uses the plural oblique form.

विफलता की संभावना हमेशा बनी रहती है।

The possibility of failure always remains.

'Sambhavna' (possibility) is feminine.

उसकी विफलता ने उसे आत्म-चिंतन के लिए मजबूर किया।

His failure forced him to self-reflect.

'Majboor kiya' means 'forced'.

यह विफलता केवल एक अस्थायी बाधा है।

This failure is only a temporary obstacle.

'Asthayi' means 'temporary'.

प्रशासनिक विफलता के कारण जनता में भारी रोष है।

There is massive anger among the public due to administrative failure.

'Prashasnik' is the adjective form of 'prashasan'.

इस विफलता के निहितार्थ बहुत गहरे हो सकते हैं।

The implications of this failure could be very deep.

'Nihitarth' means 'implications'.

विफलता को सफलता की जननी माना जाता है।

Failure is considered the mother of success.

'Janani' means 'mother/originator'.

क्या यह विफलता मानवीय त्रुटि का परिणाम थी?

Was this failure the result of human error?

'Manviya truti' means 'human error'.

विफलता का सामना करने के लिए साहस की आवश्यकता होती है।

Courage is required to face failure.

'Avashyakta' means 'requirement/necessity'.

उनकी विफलता ने इतिहास की धारा बदल दी।

Their failure changed the course of history.

'Itihas ki dhara' means 'course of history'.

विफलता के मनोवैज्ञानिक प्रभावों का अध्ययन किया गया।

The psychological effects of failure were studied.

'Manovigyanik' means 'psychological'.

यह विफलता हमारी सामूहिक जिम्मेदारी है।

This failure is our collective responsibility.

'Samuhik' means 'collective'.

विफलता की गूँज सदियों तक सुनाई देती रही।

The echo of the failure continued to be heard for centuries.

'Goonj' (echo) is feminine.

दार्शनिकों ने विफलता को अस्तित्व का एक अनिवार्य हिस्सा माना है।

Philosophers have considered failure an essential part of existence.

'Astitva' means 'existence'.

इस विफलता ने स्थापित प्रतिमानों को चुनौती दी।

This failure challenged established paradigms.

'Pratiman' means 'paradigm'.

विफलता की राख से ही अक्सर नवाचार का जन्म होता है।

Innovation is often born from the ashes of failure.

'Navachar' means 'innovation'.

उनकी विफलता का वृत्तांत अत्यंत मर्मस्पर्शी है।

The account of their failure is extremely touching.

'Vrityant' means 'account/narrative'.

विफलता की विभीषिका ने पूरे साम्राज्य को हिला कर रख दिया।

The horror/catastrophe of the failure shook the entire empire.

'Vibhishika' means 'horror/terror'.

क्या विफलता केवल एक सापेक्ष अवधारणा है?

Is failure merely a relative concept?

'Sapeksh avdharna' means 'relative concept'.

विफलता के गर्भ से ही महानतम उपलब्धियाँ निकलती हैं।

The greatest achievements emerge from the womb of failure.

Metaphorical use of 'garbh' (womb).

Common Collocations

विफलता का कारण

विफलता की जिम्मेदारी

विफलता से सीखना

हृदय विफलता

प्रणाली की विफलता

विफलता का डर

लगातार विफलता

विफलता को स्वीकारना

विफलता का स्वाद

रणनीतिक विफलता

Common Phrases

विफलता सफलता की पहली सीढ़ी है

— Failure is the first step to success. This encourages people to keep trying after a setback.

हार मत मानो, विफलता सफलता की पहली सीढ़ी है।

विफलता से घबराना नहीं चाहिए

— One should not be afraid of failure. A common advice given to students and entrepreneurs.

बेटा, विफलता से घबराना नहीं चाहिए।

विफलता हाथ लगना

— To meet with failure. Used when an effort doesn't yield results.

इतनी मेहनत के बाद भी उसे विफलता हाथ लगी।

विफलता का मुँह देखना

— To face failure. A slightly more dramatic way of saying one failed.

उसे व्यापार में विफलता का मुँह देखना पड़ा।

विफलता की ओर ले जाना

— To lead towards failure. Used for bad policies or habits.

तुम्हारी बुरी आदतें तुम्हें विफलता की ओर ले जाएँगी।

विफलता को गले लगाना

— To embrace failure. Often used in motivational contexts to mean accepting it as part of life.

सीखने के लिए विफलता को गले लगाना सीखो।

विफलता का बोझ

— The burden of failure. Refers to the psychological weight of not succeeding.

वह विफलता का बोझ नहीं उठा सका।

विफलता की संभावना

— The possibility of failure. Used in risk analysis.

इसमें विफलता की संभावना कम है।

विफलता का विश्लेषण

— Analysis of failure. A professional term for looking into what went wrong.

हमें विफलता का विश्लेषण करना होगा।

विफलता के कगार पर

— On the verge of failure. Used for something that is about to collapse.

कंपनी विफलता के कगार पर थी।

Often Confused With

विफलता vs हार (Hār)

Hār is for defeat in a competition. Viphaltā is for failure of a process or goal.

विफलता vs भूल (Bhūl)

Bhūl means a mistake or forgetting. A 'bhūl' can lead to 'viphaltā', but they are not the same.

विफलता vs कमी (Kamī)

Kamī means lack or deficiency. It is often a reason for failure, not the failure itself.

Idioms & Expressions

"मिट्टी में मिलना"

— To be ruined or to fail completely. Literally means 'to mix in the dirt'.

उसकी सारी मेहनत मिट्टी में मिल गई।

Informal

"मुँह की खाना"

— To suffer a humiliating defeat or failure.

दुश्मन को सीमा पर मुँह की खानी पड़ी।

Colloquial

"पानी फिर जाना"

— To have one's efforts go in vain or fail.

बारिश की वजह से मेरी सारी योजना पर पानी फिर गया।

Neutral

"धराशायी होना"

— To collapse or fail spectacularly. Often used for buildings or large projects.

भ्रष्टाचार के कारण पूरी योजना धराशायी हो गई।

Formal

"ढेर हो जाना"

— To fall down or fail suddenly.

चुनौती के सामने वह ढेर हो गया।

Informal

"चित्त होना"

— To be defeated or fail in a contest (from wrestling).

वह बहस में चित्त हो गया।

Neutral

"दम तोड़ देना"

— To give up or for a project to fail/die out.

फंड की कमी से अस्पताल की योजना ने दम तोड़ दिया।

Literary

"हाथ मलते रह जाना"

— To be left grieving over a failure or missed opportunity.

अवसर निकल गया और वह हाथ मलता रह गया।

Colloquial

"अंधेरे में डूबना"

— To sink into darkness/failure.

विफलता के बाद उसका भविष्य अंधेरे में डूब गया।

Poetic

"ठंडे बस्ते में डालना"

— To put something in cold storage (to let a project fail/be ignored).

सरकार ने नई नीति को ठंडे बस्ते में डाल दिया।

Journalistic

Easily Confused

विफलता vs विफल (Viphala)

It is the adjective form of the same root.

Viphaltā is the noun (failure), while Viphala is the adjective (unsuccessful).

उसकी कोशिश विफल (adjective) रही क्योंकि उसकी विफलता (noun) तय थी।

विफलता vs निष्फल (Nishphala)

Both start with a prefix and mean 'no fruit'.

Nishphala specifically means 'ineffective' or 'vain', often used for prayers or efforts that had zero impact.

उसकी सारी प्रार्थनाएँ निष्फल रहीं।

विफलता vs अफल (Aphala)

Simple negation of 'phal'.

Rarely used in modern Hindi; 'viphala' or 'asafal' are preferred.

यह वृक्ष अफल है (This tree is fruitless).

विफलता vs परास्त (Parāst)

Relates to losing.

Parāst is an adjective meaning 'defeated'. It is the state of being beaten by an opponent.

शत्रु सेना परास्त हो गई।

विफलता vs गड़बड़ (Gadbad)

Used when things go wrong.

Gadbad means 'mess' or 'something fishy'. It's very informal compared to viphaltā.

दाल में कुछ गड़बड़ है।

Sentence Patterns

यह [Noun] की विफलता है।

यह मेरी विफलता है।

[Noun] विफलता का कारण है।

आलस्य विफलता का कारण है।

विफलता के बावजूद, [Subject] ने [Action] किया।

विफलता के बावजूद, उसने फिर से कोशिश की।

[Subject] अपनी विफलता के लिए [Person] को जिम्मेदार ठहराता है।

वह अपनी विफलता के लिए किस्मत को जिम्मेदार ठहराता है।

विफलता की संभावना को देखते हुए, [Action] आवश्यक है।

विफलता की संभावना को देखते हुए, सावधानी आवश्यक है।

यह विफलता [Adjective] त्रुटि का परिणाम है।

यह विफलता तकनीकी त्रुटि का परिणाम है।

विफलता के गर्भ से ही [Noun] का उदय होता है।

विफलता के गर्भ से ही नए विचारों का उदय होता है।

विफलता केवल एक [Adjective] सत्य है।

विफलता केवल एक सापेक्ष सत्य है।

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Common in media and formal writing; moderate in daily speech.

Common Mistakes

Uska viphaltā → Uski viphaltā
Since 'viphaltā' is a feminine noun, the possessive pronoun must also be feminine ('uski').
Viphaltā hua → Viphaltā hui
The verb must agree with the feminine gender of 'viphaltā'. 'Hui' is the feminine past tense of 'hona'.
Using 'viphaltā' for losing a game → Using 'haar'
In sports and competitions, 'haar' is the natural word. 'Viphaltā' is too formal and structural.
Pronouncing 'ph' as 'p' → Pronouncing 'ph' with aspiration
Hindi is an aspirated language. 'Ph' should have a puff of air, or be pronounced as 'f'. Plain 'p' is a different sound.
Viphaltāein (Plural) in daily speech → Viphaltā (Singular)
Abstract nouns are rarely pluralized in Hindi. Using 'viphaltā' as a collective concept is more natural.

Tips

Gender Tip

Always remember that abstract nouns ending in '-tā' are feminine. This is a consistent rule in Hindi that will help you with many other words like 'safaltā' and 'sundartā'.

Formal Writing

If you are writing an essay for a Hindi exam, using 'viphaltā' instead of 'fail hona' will significantly improve your marks by showing lexical range.

Dental T

Make sure your tongue touches your upper teeth when saying the 'tā' at the end. An English 't' will make your accent sound very foreign.

Medical Context

If you are in a hospital or reading health news, 'viphaltā' is the standard word for organ failure. 'Kidney viphaltā' or 'Heart viphaltā' are common.

Root Word

Focus on the word 'phal' (fruit). If you know 'phal' means result, 'viphaltā' (no result) becomes very easy to remember.

Avoid Drama

Don't use 'viphaltā' for tiny things like burning a toast. It sounds too heavy. Use 'jal gaya' (it burnt) or 'galti ho gayi' (a mistake happened) instead.

Empathy

When someone fails, saying 'viphaltā se mat darye' (don't fear failure) is a very polite and encouraging way to offer support.

News Keywords

Journalists love the word 'viphaltā'. If you hear it, the news is likely about a policy, a mission, or a government action that didn't work.

Collocations

Try to use 'viphaltā का कारण' (cause of failure) in your writing. It's a very common and natural-sounding phrase.

Antonym Practice

Every time you use 'safaltā' (success), try to think of how the sentence would look with 'viphaltā'. This helps reinforce both words.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Vi' as 'Void' and 'Phal' as 'Fruit'. Viphaltā is a 'Void of Fruit'—when your effort yields no fruit, it's a failure.

Visual Association

Imagine a tree with no fruit on its branches despite being watered. This 'fruitless' tree represents 'viphaltā'.

Word Web

Safalta (Success) Phal (Fruit) Koshish (Try) Haar (Defeat) Yojana (Plan) Natija (Result) Sikh (Lesson) Dukh (Sorrow)

Challenge

Try to use 'viphaltā' in a sentence today instead of just saying 'fail'. Write it down in your journal about a time you learned something from a setback.

Word Origin

Derived from the Sanskrit word 'विफलता' (viphaltā). It is a combination of the prefix 'वि-' (vi-) and the base word 'फल' (phala) with the abstract noun suffix '-ता' (-tā).

Original meaning: The prefix 'vi-' indicates negation or reversal. 'Phala' means fruit or consequence. Thus, the original meaning is 'the state of being without fruit' or 'fruitlessness'.

Indo-Aryan (Sanskrit-derived).

Cultural Context

Be sensitive when using this word about someone's personal life; it can sound very harsh. 'Asafalta' is slightly softer.

In English-speaking cultures, 'failure' is often celebrated in the tech industry (e.g., 'fail fast'). In Hindi, 'viphaltā' still carries a more somber, heavy tone compared to the Western 'pivot'.

The poem 'Koshish Karne Walon Ki Haar Nahi Hoti' by Sohan Lal Dwivedi (often attributed to Harivansh Rai Bachchan) discusses overcoming failure. Abdul Kalam's famous quote: 'FAIL means First Attempt In Learning'. The movie '12th Fail' explores the theme of overcoming academic 'viphaltā'.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Education

परीक्षा में विफलता
अंकों की कमी
फिर से प्रयास करना
सीखने का अवसर

Business

बाजार की विफलता
घाटा होना
रणनीति बदलना
निवेश का जोखिम

Health

हृदय विफलता
अंग विफलता
उपचार में विफलता
गंभीर स्थिति

Politics

नीति की विफलता
प्रशासनिक चूक
जनता का असंतोष
इस्तीफा देना

Sports

मैच में विफलता
खराब प्रदर्शन
कोच का निर्णय
अभ्यास की कमी

Conversation Starters

"क्या आपको लगता है कि विफलता सफलता के लिए जरूरी है?"

"आप अपनी विफलता को कैसे संभालते हैं?"

"क्या आपने कभी किसी बड़ी विफलता से कुछ सीखा है?"

"आपके अनुसार किसी परियोजना की विफलता का सबसे बड़ा कारण क्या होता है?"

"क्या विफलता का डर आपको नए काम करने से रोकता है?"

Journal Prompts

अपनी किसी एक विफलता के बारे में लिखें और बताएं कि आपने उससे क्या सीखा।

क्या विफलता वास्तव में एक अंत है? अपने विचार व्यक्त करें।

एक ऐसी स्थिति के बारे में लिखें जहाँ विफलता ने आपको एक बेहतर इंसान बनाया।

अगर विफलता का कोई डर न हो, तो आप आज क्या करेंगे?

समाज विफलता को कैसे देखता है और इसे कैसे बदला जा सकता है?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

It is a feminine noun. You can tell because it ends in '-tā'. This means you should say 'badi viphaltā' and 'viphaltā hui'. For example, 'Uski yojana ki viphaltā ne sabko hairan kar diya' (The failure of his plan surprised everyone).

Use 'viphaltā' in formal writing, news reports, or when discussing serious topics like heart failure or system failure. 'Asafalta' is better for general, everyday contexts like failing a test or a small task.

It's better to use 'haar' (defeat) for sports. 'Viphaltā' sounds a bit too formal for a game. For example, 'India ki match mein haar hui' is more natural than 'India ki viphaltā'.

The adjective form is 'viphala' (unsuccessful). You can use it in sentences like 'Vah apne prayas mein viphala raha' (He was unsuccessful in his attempt).

The medical term used in Hindi is 'hridaya viphaltā' (हृदय विफलता). It is a direct translation used in health reports and hospitals.

Not really. Bollywood songs prefer 'nakami' or 'haar' because they are more poetic and easier to rhyme. 'Viphaltā' is more academic and journalistic.

Common verbs include 'milna' (to get), 'sweekarna' (to accept), 'jhelna' (to endure), and 'chhipana' (to hide). For example, 'Use viphaltā mili' (He met with failure).

While it describes a negative outcome, in motivational contexts, it is often framed as a positive 'learning step'. So, the context determines the emotional weight.

In standard Hindi, 'ph' is an aspirated 'p' (like 'p' in 'pot'). However, many urban speakers pronounce it like 'f' (vifaltā). Both are generally understood.

Technically, it is 'viphaltāein', but it is very rarely used. Usually, speakers use the singular form even when referring to multiple instances of failure.