der Misserfolg
failure
The failure of a plan or undertaking, or the absence of the desired success.
EXAMPLE
Trotz großer Anstrengungen endete das Projekt in einem kompletten Misserfolg.
Despite great efforts, the project ended in complete failure.
der Misserfolg
failure
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Meanings
Usage tips
Prefix 'miss-'
The prefix 'miss-' expresses that something is bad, wrong, or negative. 'Misserfolg' (failure) is the direct opposite of 'Erfolg' (success) and is formed with this prefix.
EXAMPLE
Die negative Vorsilbe „miss-“ findet man auch in Wörtern wie „Missverständnis“ oder „misstrauen“.
The negative prefix 'miss-' is also found in words like 'Missverständnis' (misunderstanding) or 'misstrauen' (to mistrust).
Typical verbs
'Misserfolg' (failure) is often combined with verbs that describe the result or the experience. Common phrases are 'ein Misserfolg sein' (to be a failure), 'in einem Misserfolg enden' (to end in failure), or 'einen Misserfolg erleiden' (to suffer a failure).
EXAMPLE
Die Einführung des neuen Produkts endete in einem finanziellen Misserfolg.
The launch of the new product ended in financial failure.
Typical adjectives
To emphasize the extent of the failure, 'Misserfolg' (failure) is often used with intensifying adjectives. Typical phrases are 'ein großer Misserfolg' (a big failure), 'ein völliger Misserfolg' (a complete failure), or 'ein totaler Misserfolg' (a total failure).
EXAMPLE
Für den Trainer war das frühe Ausscheiden seiner Mannschaft ein totaler Misserfolg.
For the coach, his team's early elimination was a total failure.
Compare with
Misserfolg vs Niederlage
defeat
Niederlage fits when someone loses to a winner in an election or another competition. Misserfolg refers more generally to failing to achieve a desired goal. In an election campaign, the lost election result is called a Niederlage, while a campaign goal that was not met is a Misserfolg.
Misserfolg
Das Verfehlen des angestrebten Stimmenanteils war für die Kandidatin ein Misserfolg.
Failing to achieve the targeted share of the vote was a failure for the candidate.
Niederlage
Der zweite Platz bei der Bürgermeisterwahl war für die Kandidatin eine Niederlage.
Coming in second in the mayoral election was a defeat for the candidate.
In real life
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