Translation guide
Expresses the idea of a total lack of success, where something has failed entirely. Japanese offers several common expressions ranging from casual to formal, often using compounds with 失敗 (failure) or idiomatic phrases.
Describing an event, plan, or attempt that ended in complete failure.
A direct and neutral way to say 'complete failure'. Suitable for both spoken and written contexts.
その計画は完全な失敗だった。
The plan was a complete failure.
Describing someone who is completely unsuccessful or incompetent.
While 完全な失敗 is correct, in casual speech 大失敗 is much more natural. Using 完全な失敗 in everyday conversation can sound stiff or overly formal.
大失敗 is the go-to phrase for 'complete failure' in daily life. 完全な失敗 is more analytical and often used in writing or formal evaluations. 全くの失敗 adds a sense of 'utter' failure.
A very common, slightly casual way to say 'big failure' or 'complete flop'. Often used in everyday conversation.
昨日のプレゼンは大失敗だった。
Yesterday's presentation was a complete failure.
Emphasizes the totality of the failure. Slightly more emphatic than 完全な失敗.
彼の試みは全くの失敗に終わった。
His attempt ended in complete failure.
Literally 'crushing defeat', often used for competitions, elections, or battles. Can be used metaphorically for any disastrous failure.
選挙で惨敗した。
We suffered a complete failure in the election.
A pattern meaning 'to end in failure'. Often used in formal or written contexts to describe the outcome of an endeavor.
交渉は失敗に終わった。
The negotiations ended in complete failure.
A common term for a 'dropout' or 'failure' in a social or professional sense. Can be harsh.
彼は会社の落ちこぼれだ。
He is a complete failure at the company.
A very casual, self-deprecating or insulting term for a 'useless person' or 'total failure'.
自分はダメ人間だと思う。
I think I'm a complete failure.
Literally 'failed work', used metaphorically for a person who is a 'failure' as a creation (e.g., a disappointing child). Harsh and literary.
彼は親から見れば失敗作かもしれない。
He might be a complete failure in his parents' eyes.