der  Misserfolg

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈmɪsˌʔɛɐ̯fɔlk/

📉 What does "der Misserfolg" mean?

Der Misserfolg translates to failure or lack of success. It signifies the absence of an intended success, the failure of an undertaking or effort. It's the opposite of Erfolg (success) and describes a state or event where the desired goal was not achieved.

• Meaning 1: The failure, the non-success (e.g., of a plan, an exam, a venture) - das Scheitern, das Nichtgelingen.
• Meaning 2: A person or thing considered a failure (rarer, more colloquial) - eine Person oder Sache, die als gescheitert angesehen wird.

⚠️ Note that Misserfolg is primarily an abstract noun, but it can also refer to specific instances of failure.

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Der Misserfolg

The word "Misserfolg" is a masculine noun. Its definite article is der. Here is the declension:

💬 Example Sentences

1. Trotz aller Bemühungen war das Projekt ein Misserfolg.
   Despite all efforts, the project was a failure.
2. Er musste viele Misserfolge einstecken, bevor er endlich Erfolg hatte.
   He had to cope with many failures before he finally succeeded.
3. Der frühe Misserfolg des Unternehmens führte zur Insolvenz.
   The company's early failure led to bankruptcy.
4. Sie lernten aus ihren Misserfolgen und versuchten es erneut.
   They learned from their failures and tried again.

💡 How to use "Misserfolg"?

Misserfolg is used to describe failure in various contexts:

• Professional: A failed project (ein gescheitertes Projekt), a rejected application (eine abgelehnte Bewerbung), a financial loss (ein finanzieller Verlust).
• Personal: A failed exam (eine nicht bestandene Prüfung), the breakdown of a relationship (das Scheitern einer Beziehung), not reaching a personal goal (das Nichterreichen eines persönlichen Ziels).
• General: The absence of the expected positive outcome.

Context: The word carries a distinctly negative connotation. It's often used with verbs like erleiden (to suffer), einstecken (to take, endure), erleben (to experience), or in phrases like zu einem Misserfolg werden/führen (to become/lead to a failure).

Comparison with other words:

• Fehler (der): Mistake/Error. A Fehler is often a specific action or decision that can contribute to a Misserfolg, but isn't the failure itself. A typo is a Fehler, but not necessarily a Misserfolg for the whole text.
• Niederlage (die): Defeat. Often used in the context of competition or conflict (sports, military). Misserfolg is more general.
• Pleite (die): Bankruptcy/Going broke. Specifically financial ruin, a type of business failure.

🧠 Mnemonics to Remember

Article Mnemonic: Think of der Erfolg (the success). Its opposite, der Misserfolg, keeps the same masculine article. Success is masculine, and so is its opposite in German!

Meaning Mnemonic: The prefix "Miss-" in German often indicates something negative or wrong (like in Missverständnis - misunderstanding, Misstrauen - mistrust). So, "Miss-Erfolg" literally means "non-success" or the opposite of success.

🔄 Opposites and Similar Words

🚨 Beware of similar words: Don't confuse Misserfolg with Missgeschick (das) - a mishap or small misfortune, often accidental and less severe than a failure.

😂 A Little Joke

Deutsch: Warum nehmen Skelette nie an Wettkämpfen teil? – Weil sie Angst vor einem Knochenbruch-Misserfolg haben!

English: Why do skeletons never enter competitions? – Because they're afraid of a bone-breaking failure (pun on Knochenbruch = bone fracture)! 😉

📜 Poem about Failure

Deutsch:
Manchmal will's einfach nicht gelingen,
die Pläne platzen, Lieder nicht klingen.
Ein Misserfolg, so scheint es klar,
doch ist's das Ende? Ist es wahr? Nein, oft ist's nur ein Wendepunkt,
woraus neue Stärke funkt.
Lern daraus, steh wieder auf,
nimm neuen Mut und nimm's in Kauf.

English Translation:
Sometimes things just don't work out,
Plans burst, songs don't sing about.
A failure, it seems quite clear,
But is it the end? Is it truly drear?
No, often it's just a turning place,
From which new strength finds its space.
Learn from it, stand up anew,
Take fresh courage, see it through.

❓ Riddle Time

Deutsch:
Ich bin das Gegenteil von Glück und Glanz,
vermeiden will mich jeder ganz.
Ich komme, wenn ein Plan zerbricht,
und selten zeig ich ein frohes Gesicht.

Was bin ich?

English:
I am the opposite of luck and shine,
Everyone wants to avoid this sign.
I arrive when a plan falls apart,
And seldom show a happy heart.

What am I?

Solution: Der Misserfolg (Failure)

🧩 Additional Information

Word Composition (Wortzusammensetzung):

The word "Misserfolg" is composed of:

• Miss-: A prefix indicating negation, corruption, or incorrectness (compare missverstehen - to misunderstand, Misstrauen - mistrust, Missgunst - envy/resentment).
• Erfolg: The base word meaning success or achievement.

Cultural Note: In German (and many other) cultures, failure (Misserfolg) is often something to be avoided. However, there is a growing movement, especially in the start-up scene, aiming to establish a more positive "culture of failure" (Fehlerkultur), where failures are seen as learning opportunities.