Meaning
To fail a test or a task.
Cultural Background
Failing an exam ('завалить') is seen as a major life event. Students often have 'пересдачи' (retakes), but failing three times usually leads to 'отчисление' (expulsion). The term 'завал' is used constantly in Russian offices to describe the period before the New Year or the end of a quarter when everyone is stressed. To avoid 'завалить' an exam, Russian students shout 'Халява, приди!' (Freebie, come to me!) out the window at midnight before the test. In the Russian-speaking internet, 'завалить горизонт' is a common critique for bad photos where the horizon line isn't straight.
Use for Empathy
If a friend fails, saying 'Ой, завалил? Сочувствую' sounds very natural and empathetic.
Aggressive Imperative
Never say 'Завали!' to a stranger or a superior; it's a very rude way to say 'Shut up.'
Meaning
To fail a test or a task.
Use for Empathy
If a friend fails, saying 'Ой, завалил? Сочувствую' sounds very natural and empathetic.
Aggressive Imperative
Never say 'Завали!' to a stranger or a superior; it's a very rude way to say 'Shut up.'
The Noun 'Завал'
Master the noun 'завал' to describe your busy life. It's used more often than the verb in professional settings.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of 'завалить' in the past tense.
Я не готовился к истории и вчера ________ экзамен.
The sentence refers to a completed action in the past (yesterday).
Which sentence uses 'завалить' in the sense of 'overwhelmed with work'?
Choose the correct option:
This sentence describes being flooded or overwhelmed by a large quantity of something (emails).
Match the Russian phrase with its English equivalent.
Match the following:
These are all valid senses of the verb.
Complete the dialogue with the most natural slang term.
— Ты сдал на права? — Нет, ________ город.
'Завалил город' is the standard way to say you failed the city driving test.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Formal vs Slang
Practice Bank
4 exercisesЯ не готовился к истории и вчера ________ экзамен.
The sentence refers to a completed action in the past (yesterday).
Choose the correct option:
This sentence describes being flooded or overwhelmed by a large quantity of something (emails).
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are all valid senses of the verb.
— Ты сдал на права? — Нет, ________ город.
'Завалил город' is the standard way to say you failed the city driving test.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, it's not a swear word, but it is very informal slang. It's safe to use with friends.
Yes, you can say 'Я завалил собеседование' to your friends, but not to the recruiter!
'Не сдать' is neutral and formal. 'Завалить' is emotional and informal.
Usually, but it can also mean to overwhelm someone with work or questions.
Yes, but be careful—it can mean to fail them in an exam or, in criminal slang, to kill them.
Say 'У меня завал' or 'Меня завалили работой.'
Yes, it is universal student and office slang across Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, etc.
The opposite is 'сдать' (to pass) or 'вытянуть' (to pull through).
Yes, 'завалить игру' or 'завалить матч' means to play very poorly and lose.
It's a specific photography term for a tilted photo.
Related Phrases
Провалить
synonymTo fail (a mission, an exam)
Срезаться
similarTo fail an exam unexpectedly
Засыпаться
similarTo get caught or fail due to a small mistake
Облажаться
similarTo screw up / to mess up
Завал
builds onA mess, a heap of work
