fehlgeschlagen

Fehlgeschlagen is a German adjective and the past participle of the verb fehlschlagen, meaning to fail or misfire. It is used to describe plans, attempts, experiments, or devices that did not achieve their intended outcome. Examples include ein fehlgeschlagenes Experiment (a failed experiment) or Der Plan ist fehlgeschlagen (the plan has failed).

Etymology and construction: Fehl- is a prefix derived from a sense of missing or being wrong, combined with schlag, from schlagen (to strike or hit). Fehlschlagen is an intransitive verb used to express failure of an action or aim. In perfect tense, it is commonly formed with sein: Der Plan ist fehlgeschlagen; Es ist fehlgeschlagen. As an adjective, fehlgeschlagen can modify nouns, e.g., ein fehlgeschlagenes Unterfangen.

Usage and distinctions: Fehlschlagen emphasizes that an effort did not reach its target or expectation, often due to error, misjudgment, or bad luck. It is semi-formal and widely used in business, science, technology, and journalism. Related terms include Misserfolg (noun: failure) and Scheitern (to fail or collapse, often used for broader or longer-lasting failures). While all these terms convey lack of success, fehlgeschlagen focuses on a failed instance of a specific endeavor, whereas Misserfolg or Scheitern may refer to a broader or ongoing state.

See also: Fehlschlag (noun indicating a failed outcome), fehlschlagen (verb), Scheitern, Misserfolg. In contemporary German, fehlgeschlagen remains a standard, neutral descriptor for unsuccessful results across contexts.