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).
I failed the exam.
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'.
I made a mistake again.
A more formal or literary term for a mistake, often implying moral error or regret.
I won't repeat past mistakes.
The state or fact of not achieving a desired goal; opposite of success.
When a machine, system, or body part stops working properly.
Describing someone as a failure or loser.
Failure to do something required; non-performance.
When a business or financial institution fails.
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.
He was diagnosed with renal failure.
学校の落ちこぼれだった。
I was a failure at school.
あいつは負け犬だ。
That guy is a total failure.
The bank failed.