Meaning of 失败
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- to be defeated
- to lose
- to fail (e.g. experiments)
- failure
- defeat
Measure word: 次
How to use 失败
失败 works as a verb (to fail, to lose) and as a noun (a failure, a defeat). It is common for experiments, plans, attempts, and competitions. Example: 实验失败了。(Shíyàn shībài le.) The experiment failed.
失 (shī) means to lose, as in 失去 (shīqù), and 败 (bài) means to be defeated, as in 打败 (dǎbài). Put "lose" and "defeated" together and you get failure.
Common mistake: Learners often say 我考试失败了 to mean they failed an exam, but Chinese speakers usually say 考试没及格 (kǎoshì méi jígé) or 没考过. Also do not confuse 失 (shī) with 先 (xiān) or 夫 (fū), which look similar.
失败 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
失 shī · to lose · 5 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
败 bài · to defeat · 8 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
Related words
Words that share a character with 失败.
| 失去 | shīqù | to lose |
| 消失 | xiāoshī | to disappear; to fade away |
| 失望 | shīwàng | disappointed; to lose hope |
| 打败 | dǎbài | to defeat; to overpower |
| 失业 | shīyè | unemployment; to lose one's job |
| 损失 | sǔnshī | loss; damage |
| 失误 | shīwù | lapse; mistake |
| 丧失 | sàngshī | to lose; to forfeit |
| 失踪 | shīzōng | to be missing; to disappear |
| 失控 | shīkòng | to go out of control |
| 迷失 | míshī | to get lost; to lose one's bearings |
| 丢失 | diūshī | to lose; to misplace |
Questions about 失败
What does 失败 mean?
失败 (shībài) means "to be defeated; to lose" and is used as a verb and adjective.
How do you write 失败?
失败 is made of 2 characters: 失 (5 strokes), 败 (8 strokes). That is 13 strokes in total.
Is 失败 an HSK word?
Yes. 失败 is on the HSK 4 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 失败 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 失败 is written 失敗.
How do I say someone defeated someone else using 失败?
失败 does not take an object, so you cannot say 他失败了我. Use 打败 (dǎbài) instead: 他打败了我 (Tā dǎbài le wǒ), He defeated me. Or say 我输给了他 (Wǒ shū gěi le tā).
What is the difference between 失败 and 输 (shū)?
输 is everyday and used for games, matches, and bets, like 输了比赛 (lost the match). 失败 is broader and a bit more formal, covering plans, experiments, and life efforts. A common saying is 失败是成功之母 (Shībài shì chénggōng zhī mǔ), Failure is the mother of success.