fail
/ˈfel/KK
/ˈfeɪl/IPA
變化形
fails
failing
failed
failed
1.
失敗；未能做到
未能達成目標、完成某事，或得到預期的結果。
用法：可作不及物動詞，如 fail to do something；也可作及物動詞，如 fail a test。fail to 後面接原形動詞。
The store failed to send my order before the holiday.
那家商店沒能在假日前寄來我的訂單。
I studied hard, but I failed my math test.
我很用功地讀書，但數學考試還是沒考好。
2.
故障；失靈；失效
指機器、設備、系統或身體器官停止正常運作。
用法：通常作不及物動詞。若要說明失效的部分，可用 fail，例如 The battery failed。
Our scooter did not start because it failed.
我們的機車因為出了問題而無法發動。
The classroom computer failed while the teacher was talking.
老師講話時，教室的電腦壞了。
3.
使不及格；判定未通過
教師、考官或評量者判定某人未達及格或通過的標準。
用法：作及物動詞，受詞是人：fail someone。若受詞是考試，fail a test 表示「考試不及格」，主詞是應試者。
The teacher failed him because he copied answers from another student.
老師因為他抄另一位學生的答案，所以讓他不及格。
The driving teacher failed her because she did not look around before turning.
駕駛老師因為她轉彎前沒有看四周，所以判她不及格。
4.
辜負；沒有做到應盡的責任
未能履行對某人、某群體或某項責任所應提供的支持、保護或照顧。
用法：常見結構是 fail someone 或 fail to do something。fail someone 比單純的 not help 語氣更強，帶有「沒有盡到責任」的意思。
Parents may feel they have failed their children when they cannot spend enough time with them.
父母無法花足夠時間陪伴孩子時，可能會覺得自己辜負了孩子。
常見錯誤
My phone is fail.
My phone has failed.／My phone is not working.
I failed in the math exam.
I failed the math exam.／I failed to pass the math exam.
I failed to passing the driving test.
I failed to pass the driving test.
The teacher gave me fail.
The teacher failed me.／The teacher gave me a failing grade.
相關字詞
學習提示
・fail a test 表示「考試不及格」；fail someone 表示「判某人不及格」。兩者的受詞不同，意思也不同。
・fail to do something 常表示客觀上未能做到；若要表達「故意不做」，常可用 refuse to do something。
・在較正式或嚴肅的情境，fail someone 可帶有辜負對方、沒有盡責的強烈意味。