Translation guide
How to talk about the outcome of an attempt, whether it succeeds or fails, in Japanese.
Expressing the result of an endeavor, often in contexts like tests, projects, or life events.
A formal noun meaning 'success or failure', often used in written or official contexts.
プロジェクトの成否はまだわからない。
The success or failure of the project is still unknown.
A common, neutral way to say 'whether it succeeds or not'.
この計画が成功するかどうかは、みんなの努力次第だ。
Whether this plan succeeds or not depends on everyone's effort.
A more casual, conversational way to express 'whether it goes well or not'.
明日のプレゼン、うまくいくかどうか心配だ。
I'm worried about whether tomorrow's presentation will go well or not.
Specifically refers to pass/fail results for exams or screenings.
試験の合否は来週発表される。
The pass/fail results of the exam will be announced next week.
Discussing the chance or risk of something succeeding or failing.
A straightforward way to list both possibilities.
新しいビジネスは成功するか失敗するかのどちらかだ。
A new business will either succeed or fail.
Pattern to say 'whether ~ or not is the key'.
最初の一歩を踏み出せるかどうかが鍵だ。
Whether you can take the first step or not is the key.
Referring to the dual concepts of success and failure, often in proverbs or general statements.
The standard way to say 'success and failure' as a pair.
成功と失敗は表裏一体だ。
Success and failure are two sides of the same coin.
A common proverb meaning 'Failure is the mother of success'.
失敗は成功のもとだから、あきらめないで。
Failure is the mother of success, so don't give up.
成否 is a concise noun used in formal writing or reports. 成功するかどうか is a more conversational phrase that can be used in any situation.
成否は不明だ。
The outcome is unknown.
成功するかどうかはわからない。
I don't know whether it will succeed.
Avoid directly translating 'success or failure' as 成功か失敗か in most contexts; it sounds like you are listing two separate options rather than referring to the overall outcome. Use 成否 or 成功するかどうか instead.