failure / miss
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failure
An attempt, plan, or action that does not lead to the desired success; a failure or breakdown.
Trotz monatelanger Vorbereitung war der Raketenstart ein totaler Fehlschlag.
Despite months of preparation, the rocket launch was a total failure.
The word is made up of 'fehl' (in the sense of 'wrong' or 'off target') and 'Schlag' (strike/blow). A 'Fehlschlag' is therefore literally a strike that misses—which can be meant both concretely and abstractly.
Der Versuch, den Rekord zu brechen, endete in einem Fehlschlag.
The attempt to break the record ended in failure.
You can recognize the meaning from the context. If it is about abstract things such as plans, projects, or missions, it means 'Misserfolg' (failure). If it is about concrete, physical actions such as a shot, throw, or hammer blow, it means 'das Verfehlen des Ziels' (missing the target).
Die Verhandlungen waren ein kompletter Fehlschlag.
The negotiations were a complete failure.
In the abstract meaning 'Misserfolg' (failure), the word is often combined with adjectives such as 'total' (total), 'komplett' (complete), or 'schwer' (serious). A common phrase is also 'einen Fehlschlag erleiden' (to suffer a setback/failure).
Das Unternehmen musste nach dem Fehlschlag des neuen Produkts hohe Verluste hinnehmen.
The company had to accept heavy losses after the failure of the new product.
In the concrete meaning, 'Fehlschlag' (miss) is often used with numbers to count the number of unsuccessful attempts.
Nach zwei Fehlschlägen traf der Bogenschütze beim dritten Versuch ins Schwarze.
After two misses, the archer hit the bullseye on the third attempt.
success
'der Erfolg' and 'der Fehlschlag' are opposites when talking about plans, attempts, or actions. A success means that something works out and the desired goal is achieved. A failure means that an attempt does not lead to the goal. 'Fehlschlag' sounds more neutral than 'Blamage' (embarrassment) or 'Fiasko' (fiasco) and does not have to be publicly embarrassing. It fits well when you are speaking matter-of-factly about an unsuccessful attempt.
Der erste Versuch war ein Fehlschlag, aber Mehmet gab nicht auf.
The first attempt was a failure, but Mehmet did not give up.
Wir verdanken den Erfolg der guten Zusammenarbeit.
We owe the success to good teamwork.