setback / return shot
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setback
An unexpected event that hinders or destroys progress and throws someone or something back in their development.
Die Verletzung des Stürmers war ein schwerer Rückschlag für die Mannschaft.
The striker's injury was a serious setback for the team.
The word consists of 'Rück-' (from zurück — back) and 'Schlag' (blow/hit). It literally means a 'blow that comes back' or 'strikes back.' This basic idea connects all meanings: an unexpected negative effect, a ball that is played back, or a flame that flashes back.
Der plötzliche Tod des Gründers war ein schwerer Rückschlag für die junge Firma.
The sudden death of the founder was a serious setback for the young company.
You can easily recognize the meaning from the context. If people are talking about projects, plans, or health, it refers to negative progress. If it is about sports like tennis or table tennis, it refers to the ball being played back.
Die Absage des Investors war ein herber Rückschlag für unser Projekt.
The investor's cancellation was a severe setback for our project.
In the meaning 'negative event,' 'Rückschlag' (setback) is often used with the verbs 'erleiden' (to suffer) or 'hinnehmen' (to accept/have to take). Typical adjectives are 'schwer' (serious), 'bitter' (bitter), or 'herbe' (severe).
Die Mannschaft musste eine Woche vor dem Finale einen bitteren Rückschlag hinnehmen.
The team had to suffer a bitter setback one week before the final.
In a sports context, adjectives like 'präzise' (precise), 'schnell' (fast), or 'scharf' (hard/sharp) describe the quality of the shot. The verb is often 'gelingen' (to succeed/manage) or 'spielen' (to play).
Dem Spieler gelang ein perfekter Rückschlag.
The player managed a perfect return shot.
success
'der Erfolg' and 'der Rückschlag' describe opposite moments in a process. 'Erfolg' means that you achieve a goal or get a good result. 'Rückschlag' means an unexpected problem that sets you back or makes progress more difficult. A setback is not necessarily the final end of a plan. It means more: things continue worse than hoped.
Die neue Verletzung war ein Rückschlag, aber Sofia will weiter üben.
The new injury was a setback, but Sofia wants to keep practicing.
Nach dem Training war der erste Lauf über zehn Kilometer ein großer Erfolg für meinen Bruder.
After the training, the first ten-kilometer run was a great success for my brother.