1. lack of success in achieving a goal
未能達成目標；失敗
The project ended in failure due to poor planning.
由於規劃不周，該項目以失敗告終。
He viewed the setback not as a failure, but as a learning opportunity.
他將這次挫折視為學習的機會，而非失敗。
Failure Meaning（定義、用法、例句與發音）
failure
noun
快速理解
What does "Failure" mean?What are 2-3 core uses of "Failure"?
指未能達成預期目標、標準或功能的狀態或事件。
- 1
未成功
EN: lack of success in achieving a goal
翻譯: 未能達成目標或目的。
- 2
故障
EN: a breakdown or malfunction of something
翻譯: 機器、系統或身體器官停止正常運作。
- 3
未履行
EN: an act of not doing something required
翻譯: 未能履行責任、義務或承諾。
- 4
失敗者
EN: a person or thing that is unsuccessful
翻譯: 指被認為不成功的人或事物。
小提醒：注意 'failure' 可指具體的失敗事件，也可指抽象的失敗狀態或『失敗者』這個人。與 'mistake'（錯誤）不同，它更強調整體的未達標。
發音（How to Pronounce "Failure" in English）
How to pronounce "Failure" in English?"Failure" US vs UK pronunciation
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Failure" from YouTube Videos
Steve Jobs' 2005 Stanford Commencement Address
Stanford
“I was a very public failure and I even thought about running away from the valley.”
(1 out of 46)
Definitions（定義）
What are the definitions of "Failure"?How does "Failure" change by context?
2. a person or thing that does not succeed
失敗的人（或事物）
He felt like a complete failure after losing his job.
失業後，他覺得自己完全是一個失敗者。
The new product was a commercial failure.
這款新產品在商業上是一個失敗之作。
3. the fact of a machine or system not functioning
（機器或系統的）故障，失靈
Engine failure caused the plane to make an emergency landing.
引擎故障導致飛機緊急迫降。
A power failure left the entire neighborhood in darkness.
停電使整個社區陷入一片黑暗。
4. the fact of not doing something that is expected or required
未履行，未做到
His failure to pay the fine resulted in additional penalties.
他未能繳納罰款，導致了額外的處罰。
The report criticized the government's failure to address the crisis.
該報告批評政府未能處理這場危機。
Grammar & Patterns（句型）
What are common sentence patterns for "Failure"?How to make natural sentences with "Failure"?
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| failure + of + noun | ...的失敗 | The failure of the engine caused the accident. (引擎的故障導致了這場事故。) |
| failure + to + verb | 未能做... | His failure to submit the report on time disappointed the manager. (他未能準時提交報告，讓經理很失望。) |
| a sense/feeling of failure | 挫敗感 | After the project was canceled, she was overwhelmed by a sense of failure. (專案取消後，她被一股強烈的挫敗感淹沒。) |
| end in failure | 以失敗告終 | Despite their best efforts, the negotiations ended in failure. (儘管他們盡了最大努力，談判最終還是以失敗告終。) |
| be doomed to failure | 注定失敗 | A plan without proper funding is doomed to failure from the start. (一個沒有適當資金的計畫從一開始就注定失敗。) |
| a complete/total failure | 徹底的失敗 | The product launch was a complete failure, with almost no sales. (這次產品發布是一次徹底的失敗，幾乎沒有任何銷售。) |
用法說明
How is "Failure" different from similar structures?What usage mistakes are common with "Failure"?
failure doing vs failure to do
- failure doing 通常用於描述一個持續或習慣性的失敗行為或狀態，強調過程本身。
- failure to do 則強調「未能做到某件特定的事」，是一個具體的失誤或疏忽，後面接動詞原形。
- 在法律、正式報告或指責的語境中，幾乎總是使用 failure to do 來指出具體的過失。
- 在日常描述中，failure doing 較為少見，通常會用其他結構（如
keep failing at doing）來表達。 EN: His failure to follow the safety protocols caused the accident. 翻譯: 他未能遵守安全規程，導致了事故發生。
EN:After years of failure adapting to the new market, the company closed down.
翻譯:在多年未能適應新市場後，公司倒閉了。
總結建議
在大多數情況下，尤其是表達具體過失或責任時，應使用 failure to + 動詞原形 的結構。
易混淆對比
What is the difference between "Failure" and similar words?How to choose "Failure" vs alternatives?
failure vs mistake
failure 指整體的失敗或系統性失靈；mistake 指具體的錯誤或過失。
failure vs defeat
failure 泛指失敗；defeat 特指在競爭或對抗中被擊敗。
failure vs breakdown
failure 可指抽象或具體的失敗；breakdown 強調功能停止或分析細項。
口語用法
How is "Failure" used in spoken English?What is the spoken vs formal difference for "Failure"?
引述
在對話中，人們常會引述自己或他人的失敗經驗，用 "failure" 來概括。 EN: I told him straight up, "This project is a complete failure." 翻譯: 我直接告訴他：「這個專案徹底失敗了。」
EN:Her reaction was basically, "Well, that's another failure to add to the list."
翻譯:她的反應基本上是：「好吧，這又是清單上可以多記一筆的失敗了。」
語氣強調
口語中常搭配形容詞或誇張用語來強調失敗的程度或情緒。 EN: It was a total and utter failure, no two ways about it. 翻譯: 這是一次徹頭徹尾的失敗，沒什麼好說的。
EN:What a massive failure! We have to start over from scratch.
翻譯:真是個巨大的失敗！我們得從頭再來。
停頓填充
在思考或組織語句時，有時會用 "failure" 相關短語作為停頓填充，帶出自嘲或無奈語氣。 EN: So, after that whole... epic failure, we decided to change our approach. 翻譯: 所以，在那次整個... 史詩級的失敗之後，我們決定改變方法。
EN:It's just—how do I put this—a classic case of system failure.
翻譯:這根本就是——我該怎麼說呢——一個系統故障的經典案例。
正式寫作注意：在正式報告或學術寫作中，應避免使用 "total failure"、"massive failure" 等口語化、情緒強烈的表述。建議改用更中性的詞語，如 "was unsuccessful"、"did not achieve its objectives" 或 "suffered a significant setback"。
常見短語
What common collocations use "Failure"?What fixed phrases with "Failure" should I remember?
complete failure
adj + failure
徹底的失敗
failure to do something
failure + to-infinitive
未能做某事
end in failure
verb + in + failure
以失敗告終
risk of failure
noun + of + failure
失敗的風險
admit failure
verb + failure
承認失敗
heart failure
noun + failure
心臟衰竭
power failure
noun + failure
停電；電力故障
fear of failure
noun + of + failure
對失敗的恐懼
常見錯誤
What are common mistakes with "Failure"?Which "Failure" sentences look correct but are wrong?
×He is a failure person.
✓He is a failure. / He is a failed person.
在英文中，'failure' 作為名詞，通常指「失敗的人或事」，但不會直接當作形容詞修飾名詞。若要形容一個人「失敗的」，應使用形容詞 'failed'。
×The failure of the machine was due to its age.
✓The machine's failure was due to its age. / The failure of the machine was due to its age.
原句文法上正確，但母語者更常使用所有格形式（'s）來表達所屬關係，使句子更簡潔自然。原句的 'the failure of the...' 結構較為正式或書面化。
×She is afraid to failure.
✓She is afraid of failure.
表達「害怕某事物」時，固定介系詞搭配是 'afraid of'，而不是 'afraid to'。'Afraid to' 後面接動詞原形，表示「不敢做某事」。
×It was a big failure to me.
✓It was a big failure for me.
表示「對某人而言是...」時，通常使用 'for someone'。'To me' 更常用於表達個人的看法或感覺，例如 'It seems to me...'。
×The failure in the experiment means we have to start over.
✓The failure of the experiment means we have to start over.
表示「...的失敗」時，通常使用 'the failure of something'。'Failure in' 後面通常接領域或活動，表示「在...方面的失敗」，例如 'failure in communication'。
×I feel so failure.
✓I feel like such a failure. / I feel like a complete failure.
'Failure' 是可數名詞，指「失敗的人或事」。表達「感覺自己是個失敗者」時，需要使用 'feel like a failure' 的結構，並常搭配 'such a' 或 'a complete' 等修飾語。
詞形變化
What are the word forms of "Failure"?What are tense/participle forms of "Failure"?