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B1 adjective 10分钟阅读

défaillant

例句 笔记与提示 défaillant 30秒了解
解析 défaillant in your Level:
At the A1 level, you don't need to use 'défaillant' often, as it is quite a formal and complex word. However, you might encounter it in very simple contexts related to health or machines not working. Think of it as a fancy way to say 'not working' or 'weak'. For example, if you see a sign that says 'matériel défaillant', it just means the equipment is broken or not working correctly. At this stage, focus on the fact that it describes something that is 'failing'. You can associate it with the English word 'default' or 'fail'. Just remember that it is an adjective, so it describes a noun. If you are talking about a woman or a feminine thing, you add an 'e' to make it 'défaillante'. It's a good word to recognize when you are reading news headlines or official notices in France.
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At the A2 level, you can begin to use 'défaillant' to describe things that are unreliable. Instead of just saying 'ma voiture est cassée' (my car is broken), you might say 'le moteur est défaillant' if it keeps stopping and starting. This shows a higher level of vocabulary. You will also see this word in descriptions of people who are not doing their job. In simple stories, a 'parent défaillant' is a father or mother who isn't there for their child. You should practice the agreement of the adjective: 'un homme défaillant' but 'une femme défaillante'. Also, notice that in the masculine form, you do not pronounce the 't', but in the feminine form, you do. This is a common pattern in French adjectives ending in '-ant'.
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At the B1 level, 'défaillant' becomes a very useful word for discussing social issues, technical problems, and professional responsibilities. You are expected to move beyond simple adjectives like 'mauvais' or 'cassé'. When writing an essay about the environment or the economy, you might talk about 'des politiques défaillantes' (failing policies). In a work context, you might describe a 'prestataire défaillant' (a failing service provider) who didn't deliver what was promised. You should also understand the noun form 'la défaillance'. This level is where you start to see the word in legal contexts—if someone doesn't pay their bills, they are 'défaillants'. It's a key word for expressing the idea that a system or a person is not living up to their obligations.
At the B2 level, you should be able to use 'défaillant' with nuance in various registers. You understand that it is the standard term in legal and financial French for defaulting. You can use it to describe a 'mémoire défaillante' in a literary way or 'un cœur défaillant' in a medical discussion. You should be aware of the difference between 'défaillant' and 'défectueux' (the former being about performance, the latter about a physical flaw). You can use the word to critique institutions, such as 'un État défaillant', which is a common political science term (failed state). You should also be comfortable using the verb 'défaillir', which is the root of this adjective, though it is more literary and often refers to fainting or losing one's strength.
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At the C1 level, you use 'défaillant' to add precision and formal weight to your arguments. You are familiar with its use in the 'Code Civil' and other legal texts where it describes a party that fails to appear (le défendeur défaillant). You can use it metaphorically to describe a 'logique défaillante' (flawed logic) or an 'argumentation défaillante'. You understand the historical and etymological roots of the word, connecting it to the idea of 'deceiving' or 'falling short' (from the Latin 'fallere'). You can switch between 'défaillant', 'carent', and 'lacunaire' depending on whether you are talking about a failure of duty, a lack of care, or a gap in information. Your pronunciation is perfect, making sure the 't' is heard only in the feminine forms.
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At the C2 level, 'défaillant' is part of your sophisticated repertoire for high-level analysis. You can discuss the 'ontological failure' of a system using this term. You understand the subtle differences in connotation when 'défaillant' is used in a medical context versus a psychological one. You can use it in creative writing to describe a character's 'volonté défaillante' (failing will) or 'un courage défaillant'. You are also aware of the administrative specificities, such as a student being marked 'défaillant' on a transcript, and the legal implications thereof. You can effortlessly integrate the word into complex sentence structures, using it as a pivot for deeper critiques of systems, structures, and human nature. You recognize its use in classical literature where it often describes the physical act of swooning or the onset of death.
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例句 笔记与提示

défaillant 30秒了解

  • Used to describe people or companies that fail to meet their legal or financial obligations.
  • Describes machines, systems, or organs that are not functioning correctly or are failing.
  • Applied to people who neglect their moral or professional duties, such as 'parents défaillants'.
  • Can describe physical weakness or a feeling of being about to faint in a literary context.

The French adjective défaillant is a multifaceted term that primarily describes something or someone that fails to meet an expected standard, obligation, or functional requirement. Rooted in the verb défaillir (to fail, to grow weak, or to faint), it carries a weight of inadequacy that spans from technical malfunctions to moral shortcomings. In a professional or legal context, it is the standard term for a 'defaulter'—someone who has not fulfilled a contractual duty. However, its reach extends far into the realms of biology, psychology, and mechanics.

The Legal and Financial Dimension
In the world of business, a débiteur défaillant is a debtor who has failed to make payments. This isn't just a casual observation; it is a legal status that can trigger litigation or the seizure of assets. When a company is described as défaillante, it suggests it is on the brink of bankruptcy or is unable to honor its commitments to stakeholders. This usage is precise and formal, often found in contracts and financial reports where clarity regarding non-performance is paramount.

La justice a été saisie pour contraindre le promoteur défaillant à terminer les travaux de l'immeuble.

Translation: The courts were petitioned to force the defaulting developer to finish the building work.
The Technical and Mechanical Aspect
When applied to machinery or systems, défaillant indicates a failure to operate correctly. A système de freinage défaillant (failing braking system) is a common phrase in accident reports. It implies that while the system exists, it is not performing its vital function, leading to potential danger. This differs from 'cassé' (broken) because défaillant often suggests an internal or systemic failure rather than external damage.
The Human and Moral Context
Perhaps the most emotionally charged use of the word is in the phrase parents défaillants. In sociology and social work, this refers to parents who neglect their duties of care, protection, or education. It suggests a lack of presence or a failure in the fundamental role of caregiving. Similarly, one might speak of a mémoire défaillante (failing memory) in the elderly, where the cognitive function is no longer reliable. In these cases, the word evokes a sense of sadness or loss, as something that should be dependable has become fragile.

À cause de sa santé défaillante, le vieux roi ne pouvait plus diriger son pays avec fermeté.

In summary, whether you are discussing a faulty circuit board, a bankrupt business partner, or a lapse in parental responsibility, défaillant is the go-to word to describe the gap between what is expected and what is actually delivered. It is a word of critique, diagnosis, and legal precision.

Using défaillant correctly requires an understanding of its agreement with the noun it modifies, as it follows standard French adjective rules. Because it ends in '-ant' in its masculine singular form, it changes to défaillante for feminine nouns, défaillants for masculine plural, and défaillantes for feminine plural. This section explores the grammatical placement and common syntactic structures where this word thrives.

Placement After the Noun
In most cases, défaillant is placed after the noun it describes. This is typical for adjectives that describe a state, a quality, or a technical condition. For example, 'un service défaillant' (a failing service) or 'une pièce défaillante' (a failing part). Placing it before the noun is extremely rare and usually reserved for poetic or archaic effects, which are not recommended for learners.

L'enquête a révélé que le matériel était défaillant depuis plusieurs mois.

The investigation revealed that the equipment had been failing for several months.
Used as a Predicate Adjective
You will frequently find défaillant used after 'être' (to be) or 'paraître' (to appear). This structure allows you to describe a subject's state of failure. For instance, 'Si le cœur est défaillant, le patient doit être opéré immédiatement.' (If the heart is failing, the patient must be operated on immediately). This usage is very common in medical and technical diagnostics.
Agreement Exercises for the Mind
Consider the following variations: 'des entreprises défaillantes' (feminine plural) vs 'des moteurs défaillants' (masculine plural). The pronunciation of the final 't' is silent in the masculine singular and plural, but in the feminine forms (défaillante/s), the 't' is clearly articulated because of the following 'e'. This is a crucial distinction for oral proficiency.

Les institutions se sont montrées défaillantes face à la crise sanitaire.

To use this word like a native, focus on its association with concepts of duty and function. It is less about a total destruction and more about a lack of reliability. If a lamp doesn't turn on at all, it might be 'cassée'; if it flickers and is unreliable, it is 'défaillante'.

In contemporary France, défaillant is a word that echoes through the halls of justice, the sterile corridors of hospitals, and the analytical segments of news broadcasts. It is rarely used in casual, slang-filled conversations between friends, but it is ubiquitous in any discussion involving responsibility or system performance. Understanding its context helps you decode the tone of a conversation or text.

In the News (Journalism)
Journalists frequently use this term when discussing governmental or institutional failures. For example, during a political scandal or a public service strike, you might hear a commentator say, 'L'État a été défaillant dans sa mission de protection.' This suggests that the state failed to perform its core duty. It is a more formal and serious way to say 'the state failed' than using the verb 'échouer'.

Le rapport souligne le rôle des banques défaillantes dans l'effondrement du marché immobilier.

The report highlights the role of failing banks in the collapse of the real estate market.
In Medical Settings
If you are watching a French medical drama or speaking with a doctor, you will hear 'insuffisance' and 'défaillance' (the noun forms) or 'défaillant' (the adjective). 'Une défaillance cardiaque' is a heart failure. A patient might be described as having 'un organe défaillant'. Here, the word is clinical and precise, indicating a loss of physiological function that requires intervention.
In the Courtroom
Legal proceedings in France often involve the 'partie défaillante'. This refers to a party in a lawsuit who fails to appear in court or fails to submit the required legal documents. If you are 'défaillant' in a legal sense, the judge may rule against you by default. This is a critical term for anyone dealing with French administration or law.

Faute de comparution, le défendeur a été déclaré défaillant.

Whether it's the 8 PM news (le JT), a business meeting, or a visit to the 'notaire', défaillant is the word used to signal that the gears of a system—be it biological, legal, or mechanical—are no longer turning as they should.

Even advanced learners of French can stumble when using défaillant, often because of its proximity to other words that mean 'failure' or 'fault'. Avoiding these common pitfalls will make your French sound more natural and precise.

Confusion with 'Déficient'
While both words imply a lack of something, 'déficient' usually refers to a permanent lack or a handicap (e.g., 'déficient mental'). 'Défaillant' refers to a failure in performance or duty. If a student is failing a class, they are not 'déficient'; their work is 'insuffisant' or they are 'en échec'. Use 'défaillant' for systems or obligations that were once working or should be working but aren't.

Incorrect: Ce moteur est déficient.
Correct: Ce moteur est défaillant.

'Déficient' is rare for machines; 'défaillant' or 'défectueux' is preferred.
Confusion with 'Défectueux'
'Défectueux' means that an object has a physical defect or flaw from the start (e.g., 'un produit défectueux'). 'Défaillant' implies a failure in action or operation over time. A brand-new toaster that doesn't work is 'défectueux'. A banking system that crashes during a transaction is 'défaillant'. The distinction is subtle but important for technical descriptions.
Misusing it for 'Failing' an Exam
English speakers often want to say 'un étudiant défaillant' to mean a student who is failing their exams. In French, this is incorrect. A student who fails an exam is 'recalé' or 'en échec'. A 'défaillant' student in a university context specifically means a student who was absent from the exam without justification, thereby failing by default.

L'étudiant a été marqué défaillant car il ne s'est pas présenté à l'épreuve de maths.

Finally, remember gender and number agreement! A common mistake is forgetting to add the 'e' for feminine nouns. 'La mémoire est défaillante'—the 't' must be heard!

To truly master défaillant, you should know its neighbors in the French vocabulary. Depending on the context—whether legal, physical, or technical—there might be a more precise word you can use to refine your meaning.

Défectueux vs. Défaillant
As mentioned, 'défectueux' refers to a flaw in an object's structure or manufacture. 'Défaillant' refers to its failure to perform a task. If your car won't start because of a bad part, the part is 'défectueuse', but the starting system is 'défaillant'.
Insolvable vs. Défaillant
In finance, 'insolvable' means the person or company has no money to pay their debts (bankrupt). 'Défaillant' means they have simply failed to pay, which might be due to insolvency or just negligence. All 'insolvables' are 'défaillants', but not all 'défaillants' are 'insolvables'.
Carent vs. Défaillant
In sociology, 'carent' (from carence) is sometimes used to describe parents who lack the ability to provide care. However, 'défaillant' is much more common in legal and administrative reports to describe the failure to fulfill the parental role.

Au lieu de dire 'un système mauvais', utilisez défaillant pour paraître plus professionnel.

When you want to emphasize the total collapse of a system, you might use 'moribond' (dying) for a company or 'hors d'usage' (out of order) for a machine. But for the specific nuance of 'failing to meet a duty or function', défaillant remains the most sophisticated and accurate choice in the French language.

How Formal Is It?

趣味小知识

The English word 'default' and 'fail' share the same Latin root 'fallere'. So when you see 'défaillant', think of someone 'defaulting' on their promise.

发音指南

UK /de.fa.jɑ̃/
US /de.fa.jɑ̃/
Stress is evenly distributed, with a slight emphasis on the final nasal syllable.
押韵词
gagnant pourtant vaillant brillant croyant bruyant fuyant voyant
常见错误
  • Pronouncing the final 't' in the masculine form.
  • Pronouncing the 'll' like an 'l' instead of a 'y' sound.
  • Making the 'an' sound like a clear 'n' instead of a nasal vowel.
  • Confusing the 'é' (ay) with 'e' (uh).
  • Forgetting to pronounce the 't' in the feminine 'défaillante'.

难度评级

阅读 3/5

Common in news and formal texts, easy to recognize from English roots.

写作 4/5

Requires correct agreement and understanding of specific contexts (legal vs technical).

口语 4/5

Tricky nasal ending and silent 't' in masculine vs pronounced 't' in feminine.

听力 3/5

Clear pronunciation but can be confused with 'déficient' if not careful.

接下来学什么

前置知识

faible mauvais manquer cœur moteur

接下来学习

défaillance défaillir faillite insolvable révoquer

高级

carence lacunaire caduc péricliter vaciller
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按水平分级的例句

1

La lumière est défaillante dans le couloir.

The light is failing in the hallway.

Feminine singular agreement with 'la lumière'.

2

Ma vieille radio est défaillante.

My old radio is failing.

Adjective follows the noun.

3

Il se sent un peu défaillant ce matin.

He feels a bit weak this morning.

Used as a predicate adjective after 'se sentir'.

4

Attention, le frein est défaillant !

Watch out, the brake is failing!

Masculine singular.

5

L'ordinateur est défaillant aujourd'hui.

The computer is failing today.

Describes a technical state.

6

Sa voix est défaillante.

Her voice is failing.

Feminine singular.

7

Le service est défaillant dans cet hôtel.

The service is failing in this hotel.

Abstract noun 'le service'.

8

La batterie est défaillante.

The battery is failing.

Common technical use.

1

Le moteur de la voiture est défaillant.

The car engine is failing.

Technical failure.

2

Elle a une mémoire défaillante pour les noms.

She has a failing memory for names.

Adjective modifies 'mémoire'.

3

Les parents défaillants ont été convoqués.

The failing parents were summoned.

Masculine plural.

4

Le système électrique est défaillant.

The electrical system is failing.

Systemic failure.

5

Son cœur est défaillant depuis l'année dernière.

His heart has been failing since last year.

Medical context.

6

La connexion internet est défaillante ce soir.

The internet connection is failing tonight.

Feminine singular.

7

Nous avons un fournisseur défaillant.

We have a failing supplier.

Business context.

8

Les lumières de la ville sont défaillantes.

The city lights are failing.

Feminine plural.

1

L'entreprise est déclarée défaillante par le tribunal.

The company is declared defaulting by the court.

Legal/Financial status.

2

Le système de sécurité s'est révélé défaillant.

The security system proved to be failing.

Used with 'se révéler'.

3

Il a été marqué défaillant à son examen de droit.

He was marked as 'failing by default' for his law exam.

Specific academic term.

4

La surveillance humaine était défaillante lors du vol.

Human surveillance was failing during the theft.

Failure of duty.

5

Les banques défaillantes ont reçu une aide de l'État.

The failing banks received state aid.

Financial crisis context.

6

Elle se sentait défaillante à cause de la chaleur.

She felt faint because of the heat.

Physical state (fainting).

7

Le matériel défaillant a été remplacé rapidement.

The failing equipment was replaced quickly.

Passive voice construction.

8

Un débiteur défaillant risque des poursuites judiciaires.

A defaulting debtor risks legal proceedings.

Noun-adjective pair in business.

1

Le promoteur défaillant n'a pas livré les appartements à temps.

The defaulting developer did not deliver the apartments on time.

Contractual failure.

2

Une institution défaillante peut déstabiliser tout un pays.

A failing institution can destabilize an entire country.

Political science context.

3

L'enquête pointe du doigt une gestion défaillante des fonds publics.

The investigation points to a failing management of public funds.

Abstract management failure.

4

Sa santé défaillante l'oblige à prendre sa retraite.

His failing health forces him to retire.

Standard phrase for health decline.

5

Le logiciel est défaillant lors du traitement des données massives.

The software is failing when processing massive data.

Technical limitation.

6

Il ne faut pas laisser les élèves défaillants sans soutien.

We must not leave failing students without support.

Refers to students absent from exams.

7

La partie défaillante a été condamnée aux dépens.

The defaulting party was ordered to pay the costs.

Legal jargon.

8

L'éclairage public défaillant favorise l'insécurité.

Failing public lighting encourages insecurity.

Social consequence context.

1

L'architecture du système est intrinsèquement défaillante.

The system's architecture is intrinsically failing.

Deep systemic critique.

2

Le verdict a été rendu par défaut contre le prévenu défaillant.

The verdict was rendered by default against the defaulting defendant.

Legal procedural term.

3

Une volonté défaillante peut ruiner les meilleures intentions.

A failing will can ruin the best intentions.

Psychological/Philosophical use.

4

Le rapport dénonce une chaîne de commandement défaillante.

The report denounces a failing chain of command.

Organizational failure.

5

Face à l'agresseur, il se sentit soudain défaillant.

Facing the aggressor, he suddenly felt faint/weak.

Literary use for physical reaction.

6

La régulation est défaillante dans ce secteur de l'économie.

Regulation is failing in this sector of the economy.

Macroeconomic context.

7

Le service public défaillant attise la colère des citoyens.

The failing public service fuels the anger of citizens.

Political impact.

8

On ne peut bâtir sur un fondement aussi défaillant.

One cannot build on such a failing foundation.

Metaphorical use.

1

L'ontologie de ce projet repose sur un paradigme défaillant.

The ontology of this project rests on a failing paradigm.

Academic/Philosophical register.

2

Sa vue défaillante ne lui permettait plus de distinguer les nuances du crépuscule.

His failing sight no longer allowed him to distinguish the nuances of twilight.

High literary style.

3

La structure narrative s'avère défaillante dans le troisième acte.

The narrative structure proves to be failing in the third act.

Literary criticism.

4

Il s'agit d'une démocratie défaillante où les droits sont bafoués.

It is a failing democracy where rights are trampled upon.

Political science terminology.

5

Le mécanisme de solidarité européenne s'est montré défaillant lors de la crise.

The European solidarity mechanism proved failing during the crisis.

Geopolitical analysis.

6

Une mémoire collective défaillante est le terreau des révisionnismes.

A failing collective memory is the breeding ground for revisionisms.

Sociological/Historical critique.

7

Le débiteur, bien que défaillant, invoque la force majeure.

The debtor, although defaulting, invokes force majeure.

Advanced legal argumentation.

8

L'éclat défaillant de la bougie jetait des ombres dansantes sur le mur.

The failing glow of the candle cast dancing shadows on the wall.

Poetic/Descriptive use.

常见搭配

débiteur défaillant
mémoire défaillante
système défaillant
parent défaillant
santé défaillante
entreprise défaillante
matériel défaillant
cœur défaillant
gestion défaillante
partie défaillante

常用短语

se sentir défaillant

— To feel like you are about to faint or lose consciousness.

Elle se sentit défaillante devant cette mauvaise nouvelle.

marqué défaillant

— To be officially recorded as absent from an exam or duty.

L'étudiant a été marqué défaillant pour son absence injustifiée.

être défaillant dans ses devoirs

— To fail in one's responsibilities or duties.

Il a été défaillant dans ses devoirs de citoyen.

matériel défaillant

— Equipment that is not working correctly.

Le vol a été retardé pour matériel défaillant.

déclarer défaillant

— To officially declare someone as being in default.

Le tribunal a déclaré le promoteur défaillant.

un éclairage défaillant

— Poor or flickering lighting.

L'éclairage défaillant rend la rue dangereuse.

une vigilance défaillante

— A lack of attention or failing to watch carefully.

L'accident est dû à une vigilance défaillante du conducteur.

un soutien défaillant

— Weak or unreliable support.

Le soutien défaillant de ses alliés a causé sa défaite.

une vue défaillante

— Failing eyesight.

Sa vue défaillante l'empêche de conduire la nuit.

une pile défaillante

— A dying or faulty battery.

La pile défaillante doit être changée immédiatement.

习语与表达

"avoir le cœur défaillant"

— To have a weak heart (medical) or to be losing courage (metaphorical).

Il a le cœur défaillant face à l'adversité.

literary
"une mémoire qui fait défaut"

— Related to 'défaillant', it means one's memory is failing.

Ma mémoire me fait défaut ces derniers temps.

neutral
"tomber en défaillance"

— An old-fashioned way to say 'to faint'.

Elle tomba en défaillance en apprenant la nouvelle.

literary
"être aux abonnés absents"

— Informal idiom for being 'défaillant' in one's duties or presence.

Quand on a besoin de lui, il est aux abonnés absents.

informal
"battre de l'aile"

— To be failing or struggling (like a bird with a broken wing).

Cette entreprise bat de l'aile depuis un an.

idiomatic
"laisser tomber"

— To let someone down, a form of being défaillant.

Il m'a laissé tomber au dernier moment.

informal
"manquer à l'appel"

— To be missing when expected, a key part of being 'défaillant'.

Le courage lui a manqué à l'appel.

neutral
"être à la traîne"

— To be lagging behind, often describing a 'défaillant' system.

Notre technologie est à la traîne.

informal
"perdre pied"

— To lose one's footing or to start failing in a situation.

L'économie commence à perdre pied.

neutral
"rendre l'âme"

— To give up the ghost; often said of a 'défaillant' machine that finally dies.

Mon vieil ordinateur a fini par rendre l'âme.

informal

词族

名词

la défaillance (failure/fainting)
le défaut (defect/fault)

动词

défaillir (to fail/faint)
faillir (to almost do something/to fail)

形容词

défectueux (defective)
faillible (fallible)

相关

la faillite
le failli
la carence
l'insuffisance
le manquement
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记住它

记忆技巧

Think of 'DEFaulting' and 'FAILing'. The word 'défaillant' sounds like 'day-fail-on'. A person who fails on their duty is défaillant.

视觉联想

Imagine a battery with a red 'X' through it or a person missing from an empty chair in a courtroom.

Word Web

faillir défaut faillite défaillance défectueux défaillir fallacieux faillible

挑战

Try to use 'défaillant' in three different contexts today: one for a machine, one for a person's duty, and one for health.

词源

From the Old French verb 'defaillir', which comes from the Vulgar Latin 'defallire'. This is a compound of the prefix 'de-' (expressing removal or reversal) and 'fallere' (to deceive or fail).

原始含义： To be lacking, to run out, or to deceive expectations.

Romance (Latin root)

文化背景

Be careful when using 'parents défaillants', as it is a strong sociological and legal accusation of neglect.

The English equivalent 'defaulting' is mostly financial, whereas 'défaillant' is broader, covering health and mechanics too.

Used in legal reports following the 2008 financial crisis to describe 'banques défaillantes'. Common in French medical dramas (like 'Hippocrate') to describe organ failure. Found in the writings of Victor Hugo to describe moral or physical weakness.

在生活中练习

真实语境

Finance/Banking

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