failed / unsuccessful
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failed / unsuccessful
Not successful; failed. Describes an action, attempt, or undertaking that did not achieve the desired result.
Sein Versuch, den Kuchen zu backen, ist leider völlig missglückt.
His attempt to bake the cake unfortunately failed completely.
The word is made up of the prefix 'miss-' and the participle of 'glücken' (to succeed). The prefix 'miss-' always expresses something negative or wrong, so 'missglückt' literally means 'wrongly succeeded,' that is, 'failed.'
Der missglückte Fluchtversuch endete im Gefängnis.
The failed escape attempt ended in prison.
'Missglückt' is the past participle of the verb 'missglücken' (to fail). This verb always forms compound tenses with the auxiliary verb 'sein' (to be), because it describes a change of state.
Die Überraschung für seine Frau ist ihm leider total missglückt.
The surprise for his wife unfortunately failed completely.
The adjective 'missglückt' (failed / unsuccessful) often describes the result of plans or actions. Common combinations are: 'ein missglückter Versuch' (a failed attempt), 'ein missglückter Plan' (a failed plan), 'ein missglücktes Experiment' (a failed experiment), or 'eine missglückte Überraschung' (a failed surprise).
Nach dem missglückten Manöver musste der Pilot notlanden.
After the failed maneuver, the pilot had to make an emergency landing.
unsuccessful
Erfolglos states objectively that the desired goal was not achieved. Missglückt, by contrast, evaluates the attempt or undertaking itself as having failed or gone badly. Missglückt is especially appropriate when not only was the attempt unsuccessful, but something also went wrong during it.
Der Reparaturversuch war missglückt, denn dabei zerbrach zusätzlich ein wichtiges Teil.
The repair attempt had gone badly because an important part also broke during it.
Der Reparaturversuch blieb erfolglos, denn das Radio funktionierte danach noch immer nicht.
The repair attempt was unsuccessful because the radio still did not work afterward.
