不合格

• Reading: ふごうかく
• Romaji: fugoukaku
• Kanji breakdown: 不 (fu) — not, un-; 合 (gou) — match, fit; 格 (kaku) — standard, status
• Pronunciation: /ɸɯ.goː.ka.kɯ/

Meaning

Failure; rejection; disqualification. Not meeting the required standard on an exam or evaluation.

A noun formed by adding the negative prefix 不 (fu) to 合格. Used for exam failures and product rejections. While direct, it is the standard formal term. In conversation, people often soften the blow by saying 落ちた (ochita, fell) instead.

Examples

1. 残念ながら、今回の試験は不合格でした。 Unfortunately, I failed this exam.
2. 不合格だったけど、来年もう一度挑戦するつもりです。 I failed, but I plan to try again next year.
3. 品質検査で不合格になった製品は売ることができない。 Products that fail the quality inspection cannot be sold.

Usage Guide

Context: exams, evaluation, quality control

Tone: negative

Origin & History

Formed by prefixing 不 (fu, not) to 合格 (goukaku, pass). A straightforward negation meaning not meeting the standard.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal