Inklingo

How to Say "failed" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “failed” is “fallado” — use 'fallado' as a past participle in compound verb forms (like 'ha fallado') or as an adjective to describe an attempt or person that did not succeed..

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fallado

fah-YAH-doh/faˈʎaðo/

Past ParticipleA2General
Use 'fallado' as a past participle in compound verb forms (like 'ha fallado') or as an adjective to describe an attempt or person that did not succeed.
A small, frustrated cartoon character standing next to a tall pole, holding a flag that has dropped to the ground, indicating a failed attempt to plant it on top.

Examples

El intento ha fallado, pero lo volveremos a probar.

The attempt has failed, but we will try again.

El equipo ha fallado tres veces en la final.

The team has failed three times in the final.

Mi coche había fallado antes de que lo vendiera.

My car had broken down before I sold it.

La jueza ha fallado a favor del demandante.

The judge has ruled in favor of the plaintiff.

Forming Perfect Tenses

To talk about actions completed in the past, pair 'fallado' with a form of the verb 'haber' (e.g., 'he fallado' means 'I have failed').

No Gender Change

When 'fallado' is used as part of a verb tense (with 'haber'), it always stays 'fallado' regardless of who is doing the failing.

Agreement is Key

When 'fallado' is used as an adjective (describing a noun), it must change its ending to match the noun it describes: 'fallado' (masc. sing.), 'fallada' (fem. sing.), 'fallados' (masc. plural), 'falladas' (fem. plural).

Using 'Ser' instead of 'Haber'

Mistake: “Yo soy fallado.”

Correction: Yo he fallado. Remember that 'haber' is the helper verb for almost all Spanish compound tenses, not 'ser' or 'estar'.

fracasado

/fra-ca-sá-do//fɾakaˈsaðo/

AdjectiveB1General
Use 'fracasado' as an adjective to describe a project, plan, or attempt that has completely failed, often implying significant loss or negative consequences.
A brightly colored wooden bridge over a small stream that has broken and collapsed in the center, illustrating a failed project.

Examples

Su plan para hacerse rico fue un fracaso total.

His plan to get rich was a total failure.

El lanzamiento del producto fue fracasado, perdimos mucho dinero.

The product launch was unsuccessful (failed); we lost a lot of money.

Su intento de convencer al jefe resultó fracasado.

His attempt to convince the boss turned out to be a failure.

La misión se consideró fracasada antes de que terminara.

The mission was considered failed before it even finished.

Agreement is Key

Like many Spanish adjectives, 'fracasado' must match the gender and number of the thing it describes. Use 'fracasada' for feminine things (like 'la misión') or 'fracasados' for plural masculine things.

suspendido

/soos-pen-DEE-doh//suspenˈdiðo/

AdjectiveB1Academic
Use 'suspendido' specifically when referring to failing an academic test or subject in school.
A school paper with a large red mark and a sad face, indicating a failed exam.

Examples

He suspendido el examen de historia.

I failed the history exam.

Estoy suspendido en matemáticas.

I failed math.

cayó

VerbB1General
Use 'cayó' (preterite of caer) when referring to the downfall or collapse of a regime, leader, or sometimes a business, implying a sudden end.

Examples

El gobierno cayó tras la protesta masiva.

The government fell after the massive protest.

Choosing between 'fallado' and 'fracasado'

Learners often confuse 'fallado' and 'fracasado'. Remember, 'fallado' is more general for a single failed attempt or person, while 'fracasado' implies a more significant, complete failure of a project or plan.

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