das Scheitern
failure
The failure or unsuccessful outcome of an undertaking, plan, or development.
EXAMPLE
Das Scheitern des Projekts lag vor allem an der schlechten Planung.
The failure of the project was mainly due to poor planning.
das Scheitern
failure
das Scheitern
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Meanings
das Scheitern an
failure at
The fact that someone does not manage to complete a task, achieve a goal, or overcome an obstacle.
EXAMPLE
Sein Scheitern an dieser schwierigen Prüfung überraschte alle.
His failure at this difficult exam surprised everyone.
zum Scheitern verurteilt sein
to be doomed to fail
To have no prospect of success from the outset or because of certain circumstances.
EXAMPLE
Ohne ausreichende Finanzierung war das Vorhaben zum Scheitern verurteilt.
Without sufficient funding, the undertaking was doomed to fail.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Scheitern, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | neuter das |
|---|---|
| genitive | des Scheiterns |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | das Scheitern | – |
| accusative | das Scheitern | – |
| dative | dem Scheitern | – |
| genitive | des Scheiterns | – |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Infinitive used as a noun
'Scheitern' (failure) is the infinitive of the verb 'scheitern' (to fail) used as a noun. This allows the process itself to become the subject of a sentence.
EXAMPLE
Das Scheitern gehört zum Lernen dazu.
Failure is part of learning.
Typical collocations
Common collocations include 'sein Scheitern eingestehen' (to admit one's failure), 'das Scheitern verhindern' (to prevent failure), and 'aus dem Scheitern lernen' (to learn from failure). These expressions describe how someone deals with an unsuccessful undertaking.
EXAMPLE
Nach monatelangen Bemühungen musste die Leiterin das Scheitern ihres Plans eingestehen.
After months of effort, the director had to admit the failure of her plan.
An with the dative
The task or obstacle is connected with 'an' and the dative. This pattern is retained when the word is used as a noun.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Scheitern an der Nordwand kehrten die Bergsteiger ins Tal zurück.
After failing to climb the north face, the mountaineers returned to the valley.
Fixed construction
Learn 'zum Scheitern verurteilt sein' (to be doomed to fail) as a fixed expression. The undertaking is the subject, and 'zum Scheitern verurteilt' remains unchanged even when the subject is plural.
EXAMPLE
Dieser Versuch ist zum Scheitern verurteilt.
This attempt is doomed to fail.
Solche Versuche sind zum Scheitern verurteilt.
Attempts like these are doomed to fail.
In real life
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