Fehler

Fehler is a German noun meaning error, fault, or defect. It is used to describe a deviation from what is correct, whether in human actions, objects, processes, or measurements. In everyday language, one speaks of einen Fehler machen (to make a mistake) or eines Fehlers bedürfen (to require correction). The gender is masculine (der Fehler) and the plural is Fehler.

The term has Old High German and broader Germanic roots and has been part of the language since the Middle Ages. It is closely related to terms in other Germanic languages and forms a wide family of words that denote imperfection, shortcoming, or malfunction.

In different domains, specific senses of Fehler are distinguished. Menschliche Fehler refer to human mistakes, while Produktionsfehler denote defects in manufacturing. Messfehler describe inaccuracies in measurement, and Systemfehler or Programmfehler refer to failures in devices or software. Bedienfehler (user error) is commonly used to describe mistakes made during operation. In computing, a Fehler can be an error event or an error code, and the term bug is often used as a colloquial synonym.

In practice, Fehlerkultur describes an organizational or cultural approach to handling mistakes, emphasizing transparency, learning, and prevention rather than blame. Error analysis and error management are common methodologies in engineering, science, and quality assurance to reduce the rate and impact of Fehler in complex systems. Overall, Fehler serves as a versatile term for imperfections across language, technology, and everyday life.