What is the difference between "失敗" and "しっぱい"?

"失敗" means "failure, mistake" (N4), whereas "しっぱい" represents "failure, mistake" (N3).

Kanji Homophone Battle

Pronunciation Trap: "しっぱい (shippai)"

Same sound, completely different Kanji! Choose the right conceptual writing.

Kanji Option A

しっぱい (shippai)

N4 / CEFR

Kanji Option B

しっぱい (shippai)

N3 / CEFR

In Japanese, many words share the exact same pronunciation "しっぱい (shippai)" but are written with different Kanji, changing the meaning entirely.

失敗 (Level: N4): Translates to "failure, mistake" and is used when A noun.
しっぱい (Level: N3): Maps to "failure, mistake" and carries the nuance of Used when an attempt or plan does not succeed. It can be used for personal failures or project failures..

Mixing these up can easily result in unnatural writing. Look at the bilingual context cards below to master the conceptual boundaries!

Bilingual Context for "失敗"

テストで失敗してしまった。

I failed the test.

Bilingual Context for "しっぱい"

彼は何度も失敗を繰り返した。

He repeated his failures many times.

Which Kanji perfectly fits this blank space?

Which Kanji perfectly fits the blank: "テストで＿＿＿してしまった。" (Meaning: "I failed the test.")

🎉 Correct Answer!

Correct! "失敗" is used for "failure, mistake" in the context: "I failed the test.".