Failure is not the opposite of success, but a necessary step towards it.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Refers to not achieving an intended result.
- Can function as both a verb and a noun.
- Often used to discuss learning from mistakes.
Overview
- 1概述：‘失败’是一个核心词汇，涵盖了从个人小挫折到重大事业挫败的广泛范畴。在汉语中，它常被视为成功的对立面，强调结果与预期的背离。2) 用法模式：作为动词时，常直接接宾语，如‘失败了’；作为名词时，常放在‘遭遇’、‘面对’等动词后。3) 常见语境：在职场中，它常指项目受阻；在学习中，指考试不及格；在个人成长中，指未能实现目标。4) 近义词辨析：‘失败’侧重于结果的未达成；‘挫折’侧重于过程中的阻碍；‘失利’则多用于比赛或军事冲突等特定场合。
Examples
这次考试我失败了。
everydayI failed this exam.
公司面临严重的经营失败。
formalThe company is facing a serious business failure.
别灰心，失败只是暂时的。
informalDon't be discouraged, failure is only temporary.
实验的失败源于数据偏差。
academicThe failure of the experiment stemmed from data bias.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
失败是成功之母
Failure is the mother of success.
不怕失败
Not afraid of failure.
总结失败经验
Summarize lessons from failure.
Often Confused With
Refers to a mistake or error in the process, not necessarily a total failure of the outcome.
Specifically means to lose in a competition or game against someone else.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The word '失败' is neutral to formal in register. It is widely used in both daily conversation and professional writing. When used as a verb, it often takes the particle '了' to indicate the completed state of failing.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes use '失败' as an adjective, but it is primarily a noun or verb. Avoid saying '我很失败' unless you mean 'I am a failure' (which is quite strong). Use '我失败了' for specific actions.
Tips
Use with common verbs
Pair '失败' with verbs like '遭遇' (to encounter) or '导致' (to lead to). This makes your sentences sound much more native.
Don't confuse with losing
While '失败' can mean losing a game, use '输' (shū) if you want to emphasize the competitive act of losing to an opponent.
The proverb of success
Chinese culture often uses the phrase '失败是成功之母' (Failure is the mother of success) to encourage people to learn from their mistakes.
Word Origin
Derived from the combination of '失' (loss/missing) and '败' (defeat/beaten). Historically, it describes the state where an army is defeated and loses its position.
Cultural Context
In Chinese culture, failure is often framed as a learning opportunity rather than a permanent state. This is reflected in the common idiom '失败是成功之母'.
Memory Tip
Think of 'fail' as '失' (loss) + '败' (defeat). If you lose your victory, you have failed!
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions两者含义相似，但‘失败’是一个更正式、更标准的词汇。‘没成功’更口语化，适合日常交流。
你可以说‘这次考试我失败了’或者‘失败是成功之母’。它既能描述具体事件，也能表达哲理。
最直接的反义词是‘成功’。在语境中，也可以用‘胜利’来对比。
非常合适，‘失败’是标准书面语。在商务或学术报告中，使用该词显得专业且准确。
Test Yourself
由于准备不足，这次项目最终___了。
根据上下文，项目未达到预期，应使用失败。
‘失败是成功之母’这句话的意思是？
这句话强调了失败对成功的启示作用。
这次 / 失败 / 的 / 经历 / 我 / 总结 / 从 / 中
标准的中文主谓宾结构。
Score: /3
Summary
Failure is not the opposite of success, but a necessary step towards it.
- Refers to not achieving an intended result.
- Can function as both a verb and a noun.
- Often used to discuss learning from mistakes.
Use with common verbs
Pair '失败' with verbs like '遭遇' (to encounter) or '导致' (to lead to). This makes your sentences sound much more native.
Don't confuse with losing
While '失败' can mean losing a game, use '输' (shū) if you want to emphasize the competitive act of losing to an opponent.
The proverb of success
Chinese culture often uses the phrase '失败是成功之母' (Failure is the mother of success) to encourage people to learn from their mistakes.
Examples
4 of 4这次考试我失败了。
I failed this exam.
公司面临严重的经营失败。
The company is facing a serious business failure.
别灰心，失败只是暂时的。
Don't be discouraged, failure is only temporary.
实验的失败源于数据偏差。
The failure of the experiment stemmed from data bias.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Vocabulary
More general words
一下儿
A1a bit, a moment
点儿
A1a little bit
有点儿
A1a little, somewhat (negative connotation)
一下
A2A bit; a moment (used after a verb).
异样
B1different; unusual; strange
关于
A1about, concerning
快要
A2to be about to (happen)
大约
B1Used to show that a number or amount is not exact; approximately.
上边
A2above, on top
上面
A1on, above, over
