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    Chinese Grammar

    Describing 'failure' with 失败 (shībài)

    Description & Modification
    Result & Consequence

    Structure

    Subject + 失败

    Explanation

    失败 (shībài) can function as both a verb meaning "to fail" and an adjective or noun meaning "failure." It describes an unsuccessful outcome. For example, 承认失败 means "to admit failure."

    Examples

    • 这次考试我失败了，下次一定要努力。

      Zhè cì kǎoshì wǒ shībài le, xià cì yídìng yào nǔlì.

      I failed this exam; I must work harder next time.

    • 他不愿意承认自己的失败。

      Tā bù yuànyì chéngrèn zìjǐ de shībài.

      He is unwilling to admit his own failure.

    • 这个计划失败的原因是准备不够充分。

      Zhège jìhuà shībài de yuányīn shì zhǔnbèi bú gòu chōngfèn.

      The reason this plan failed was insufficient preparation.

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    Describing 'failure' with 失败 (shībài) | Chinese Grammar