I'm learning
한국어
실패 — meaning in English: failure
silpae · Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.
Guess the translation for
failure
영화
yeonghwa
실패
silpae
운
un
초대
chodae
미국
migug
Skip this question
🎓
Learn Korean for free
Quizzes, examples, audio & daily challenges. No password needed — just your email.
Start learning →
neutral
common
Usage
Native speakers often use the word 실패 (silpae) in everyday conversations when discussing personal or professional setbacks. For example, someone might say, '이번 프로젝트는 실패였어' (This project was a failure) during a casual lunch with friends or in a more serious meeting at work to analyze outcomes.
Synonyms & nuances
A close synonym is '좌절' (jwajeol), which means 'frustration' or 'setback.' While 실패 refers specifically to the act of failing, 좌절 conveys a more emotional response to that failure. You would choose 실패 when discussing a specific attempt that did not succeed, and 좌절 when emphasizing feelings of disappointment.
Culture
The word 실패 (silpae) comes from the Sino-Korean characters 失 (sil), meaning 'to lose' or 'to miss,' and 敗 (pae), meaning 'defeat.' In South Korean culture, there is a significant emphasis on achievement, making the concept of 실패 particularly poignant, as it embodies both personal struggle and societal pressure to succeed. The idea of learning from failure is increasingly promoted in modern education, reflecting a shift in perspective towards resilience.
FAQ
