In 15 Seconds
- Used when something valid becomes invalid or stops working.
- Common for passwords, coupons, medicine, and legal documents.
- Focuses on the loss of function, not physical breakage.
Meaning
It means something that used to work no longer does. It’s like when a coupon expires or a password stops working.
Key Examples
3 of 6Trying to use an old discount code
这个优惠码已经失效了。
This discount code has already expired.
Checking the medicine cabinet
感冒药失效了吗？
Has the cold medicine lost its effect?
Reporting a technical bug to a boss
链接失效了，请更新一下。
The link is broken, please update it.
Cultural Background
While it sounds modern, the roots of the characters relate to the failure of results. In the digital age, it has become the go-to term for the '404' feeling of the physical and digital world.
The 'Link' Secret
If you are sharing a file on WeChat and it says '文件已失效', it means you were too slow and the file was deleted from the server!
Not for Broken Toys
Don't use `失效` for a broken screen. Use `坏了` (huài le). `失效` is for the 'soul' of the function, not the 'body' of the object.
In 15 Seconds
- Used when something valid becomes invalid or stops working.
- Common for passwords, coupons, medicine, and legal documents.
- Focuses on the loss of function, not physical breakage.
What It Means
失效 is a super practical word. It describes something losing its power or validity. Think of it as the 'Game Over' for functions. It is not about breaking physically. It is about the logic or rules ending.
How To Use It
You use it for abstract things. Think of digital links, legal contracts, or medicine. You can say your password is 失效 if it expired. You can say a law is 失效 if it changed. It usually follows the noun directly. Just say 'Noun + 失效 了'. The 了 adds that 'it happened' feeling.
When To Use It
Use it when your Wi-Fi code doesn't work. Use it when you find old milk in the fridge. Use it when a friend's old phone number is gone. It sounds smart but very clear. It is perfect for technical glitches or official dates.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for broken chairs. If you can see the physical damage, use 坏了. Don't use it for tired people. You aren't 'losing effect' when you're sleepy. Also, avoid it for broken hearts. That is way too robotic for a breakup!
Cultural Background
In China, people love efficiency and systems. 失效 is often seen on apps and websites. It reflects the fast-paced digital life in modern China. It also appears in ancient legal texts. It shows how rules have always had 'shelf lives'. It is a bridge between old law and new tech.
Common Variations
You might hear 过期 for food or dates. 失效 is slightly more formal than 过期. You might also hear 无效. 无效 means it never worked or is invalid now. 失效 specifically means it *did* work, but stopped. It is a subtle but cool distinction.
Usage Notes
It is a neutral term suitable for both professional and casual settings. Avoid using it for physical damage or human emotions.
The 'Link' Secret
If you are sharing a file on WeChat and it says '文件已失效', it means you were too slow and the file was deleted from the server!
Not for Broken Toys
Don't use `失效` for a broken screen. Use `坏了` (huài le). `失效` is for the 'soul' of the function, not the 'body' of the object.
The Power of '了'
Adding `了` after `失效` makes you sound like a native speaker. It emphasizes the frustration that it *just* stopped working.
Examples
6这个优惠码已经失效了。
This discount code has already expired.
Very common in online shopping contexts.
感冒药失效了吗？
Has the cold medicine lost its effect?
Refers to the chemical efficacy of the drug.
链接失效了，请更新一下。
The link is broken, please update it.
Professional way to describe a dead URL.
密码失效了，发个新的给我。
The password stopped working, send me a new one.
Short and direct for texting.
我的好运符好像失效了！
My lucky charm seems to have lost its power!
Using a technical term for something magical is funny.
合同自明天起失效。
The contract will be invalid starting tomorrow.
Standard legal or business phrasing.
Test Yourself
Choose the best word for a dead web link.
这个下载链接已经 ___ 了。
Links don't sleep or rest; they lose their validity or 'effect'.
Select the correct particle to show the change of state.
优惠券失效 ___ 。
We use '了' to indicate that the status has changed to 'invalid'.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality of 'Invalidation'
Using '过期' for milk or bread.
牛奶过期了。
Using '失效' for passwords or links.
链接失效了。
Using '失效' for laws or contracts.
法律条款失效。
Where will you see '失效'?
E-commerce
Expired Coupons
Pharmacy
Old Medicine
IT/Tech
Dead Links
Legal
Void Contracts
Practice Bank
2 exercises这个下载链接已经 ___ 了。
Links don't sleep or rest; they lose their validity or 'effect'.
优惠券失效 ___ 。
We use '了' to indicate that the status has changed to 'invalid'.
🎉 Score: /2
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsTechnically yes, but it sounds like a science experiment. Use 过期 (guòqī) for food instead.
失效 implies it was working before but stopped. 无效 (wúxiào) means it is simply not valid, perhaps it never was.
Not at all! It is the standard way to talk about links or codes in apps like WeChat.
No, that sounds like they are a robot. Use 没用 (méiyòng) if you mean someone is being unhelpful.
You can say 密码失效了 if the password was changed or expired.
Yes, it describes medicine that has lost its chemical potency over time.
Only if you are being very sarcastic or cold. It's usually for objects and systems.
You could use 生效 (shēngxiào), which means to take effect or become valid.
Only in a functional sense. If a button doesn't do anything when clicked, it's 失效. If the button fell off, it's 掉下来了.
Yes, it usually appears around HSK 4 or 5, but it is very useful for A2 learners in daily tech life.
Related Phrases
过期
Expired (mostly for dates and food)
无效
Invalid / Ineffective
生效
To take effect / Become valid
坏了
Broken / Spoiled
