Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Failure" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "failure", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
失敗
しっぱい (shippai)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
しっぱい
しっぱい (shippai)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "failure" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 失敗 and しっぱい.
In Japanese, 失敗 (しっぱい (shippai)) is typically associated with "failure, mistake" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents A noun.
On the other hand, しっぱい (しっぱい (shippai)) maps to "failure, mistake" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Used when an attempt or plan does not succeed. It can be used for personal failures or project failures.. A literal translation of "failure" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
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.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "テストで ＿＿＿ してしまった。" (Meaning: "I failed the test.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "失敗" fits here because it means "failure, mistake" in the context of: "I failed the test.". "しっぱい" represents "failure, mistake".