失败

• 拼音: shī bài
• 汉字拆解: 失 = 手 (hand) + a stroke indicating something slipping away, to lose; 败 = 贝 (shell/value) + 攴 (to strike), to break apart or ruin

含义

To fail; to be defeated; to lose (V); defeated; unsuccessful (Adj). The most common word for failing to achieve a goal or losing in a competition.

As a verb, 失败 covers failure in study, work, competition, and relationships. As an adjective, it describes an outcome that ended without success (e.g., 失败的计划 — a failed plan). The opposite is 成功 (succeed). The well-known proverb 失败是成功之母 (Failure is the mother of success) uses this word.

例句

1. 他第一次参加比赛就失败了，但他没有放弃。
2. 这次创业项目失败的原因是市场调查做得不够充分。
3. 失败了也没关系，重要的是从中学到了什么。

用法指南

语境: everyday, work, sports, study

语气: neutral

正确说法

• 这次实验失败了，我们需要重新设计方案。(This experiment failed — we need to redesign the plan.)
• 他不怕失败，每次跌倒都能重新站起来。(He is not afraid of failure and can get back on his feet every time he falls.)

错误说法

• 用'失败'来描述小事没有达到预期 (Avoid using 失败 for trivial matters that fell short — it sounds too heavy; use 没成功 or 没做好 for minor setbacks)

起源与历史

A compound of 失 (to lose) + 败 (to be defeated). Together they strongly convey the idea of losing and failing to reach a goal.

文化背景

世代: All ages

社会背景: Universal