Translation guide
The English word "failure" covers a range of situations from personal shortcomings to mechanical breakdowns. Japanese uses different words depending on whether you mean a mistake, a lack of success, a system malfunction, or a person who fails.
An error in action or judgment, often in daily life or work.
The most common and general word for a mistake or failure. Can be used as a noun or a suru-verb (失敗する).
試験に失敗した。
I failed the exam.
料理に失敗して、焦げてしまった。
I messed up the cooking and it got burned.
A casual, common word for a minor mistake or error, often in work or sports. From English 'miss'.
またミスをしてしまった。
I made a mistake again.
A more formal or literary term for a mistake, often implying moral error or regret.
過去の過ちを繰り返さない。
I won't repeat past mistakes.
The state or fact of not achieving a desired goal; opposite of success.
Also used for the general concept of failure as lack of success. 失敗に終わる means 'ended in failure'.
その計画は失敗に終わった。
The plan ended in failure.
Literally 'non-success', a direct antonym of 成功. Used in formal contexts.
When a machine, system, or body part stops working properly.
Used for mechanical or electrical breakdowns. 故障する means 'to break down'.
エアコンが故障した。
The air conditioner broke down.
Technical term for dysfunction or functional failure, used in medical or engineering contexts.
Describing someone as a failure or loser.
Literally 'failure person'. Can sound harsh.
彼は失敗者だと言われた。
He was called a failure.
Colloquial term for a dropout or someone who can't keep up; a loser in the system.
学校の落ちこぼれだった。
I was a failure at school.
Literally 'loser dog', a strong insult meaning a loser in life.
Failure to do something required; non-performance.
Pattern meaning 'to neglect to do ~' or 'fail to do ~'. Often used in formal warnings.
注意を怠ったために事故が起きた。
The accident happened due to a failure to pay attention.
Simple negation can express failure to act, often with ～まま or ～てしまう.
返事をしないまま、彼は去った。
He left without replying (failure to reply).
When a business or financial institution fails.
Bankruptcy of a company. 倒産する means 'to go bankrupt'.
その会社は倒産した。
The company failed (went bankrupt).
Collapse or failure, used for banks, financial systems, or plans.
失敗 is a broader term for any kind of failure or mistake, while ミス is more casual and often implies a small, correctable error. In a business setting, ミス is common for clerical errors, but 失敗 can refer to a project's overall failure.
Calling someone 失敗者 can be very direct and insulting. In many contexts, it's more natural to describe the situation (e.g., うまくいかなかった) rather than labeling the person.
事業は不成功に終わった。
The venture ended in failure.
腎機能不全と診断された。
He was diagnosed with renal failure.
あいつは負け犬だ。
That guy is a total failure.
The bank failed.