ebaõnnestunud

Ebaõnnestunud is Estonian an adjective meaning “unsuccessful” or “failed.” It is formed with the negating prefix eba- attached to the past participle õnnestunud, which comes from the verb õnnestuma, “to succeed.” The term is used to describe an outcome or result that did not achieve its goal, such as a plan, attempt, or activity.

In usage, ebaõnnestunud is commonly placed before a noun, for example ebaõnnestunud katse meaning “an unsuccessful attempt” or ebaõnnestunud projekt meaning “a failed project.” It can also function predicatively in sentences like Proov oli ebaõnnestunud, “The attempt was unsuccessful.” The expression often appears in formal or neutral contexts, particularly in written language or reporting.

Etymology and related forms: The word combines the negating prefix eba- with õnnestunud, the past participle of õnnestuma. It has cognates in other Finnic languages, such as Finnish epäonnistunut. The root verb õnnestuda is linked to the concept of achieving success, and the prefix eba- negates that notion to describe failure.

Grammatical notes: As an adjective, ebaõnnestunud agrees with the noun it modifies in number and case. For example, singular: ebaõnnestunud plaan; plural: ebaõnnestunud plaanid. The genitive forms adjust accordingly (ebaõnnestunud plaani, ebaõnnestunud plaanide). The word is versatile in formal contexts and can describe outcomes, processes, or events that did not succeed.