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.
miss
A strike, shot, or throw that misses its target.
Nach drei Fehlschlägen mit dem Hammer traf er endlich den Nagel.
After three misses with the hammer, he finally hit the nail.
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.
to fail
When a plan does not succeed, scheitern and der Fehlschlag can refer to the same failure. Scheitern describes the process or fact of not achieving a goal, while der Fehlschlag refers to the individual unsuccessful undertaking. Use scheitern as a verb and Fehlschlag as the term for the attempt.
Der Plan, den alten Bahnhof zu renovieren, war wegen der Kosten ein Fehlschlag.
The plan to renovate the old train station was a failure because of the costs.
Der Plan, den alten Bahnhof zu renovieren, scheiterte an den Kosten.
The plan to renovate the old train station failed because of the costs.
