mislykkethet

Mislykkethet is a Norwegian noun meaning the state or quality of being unsuccessful or failing to achieve a desired outcome. The term is formed from the prefix mis- and the adjective lykket (from lykkes, to succeed) plus the suffix -het, which nominalizes adjectives to express a state or condition. In ordinary language, mislykkethet is used to describe results in a wide range of contexts, such as education, work, projects, or personal relationships. It can refer to a particular failed attempt or to a more general feeling of not meeting personal or societal expectations.

In psychological and sociological discourse, mislykkethet is often tied to aspects of perception, self-esteem, and social comparison. How much a person experiences mislykkethet depends on factors such as personal goals, cultural norms, and available resources. Societal pressure to achieve success in school, career, and status can amplify such feelings, and stigma around failure can influence behavior and well-being.

Related terms include suksess (success), fiasko (fiasco), and mislykket (an unsuccessful person or outcome). The word is primarily used descriptively and evaluatively, without implying inherent character flaws in individuals; mislykkethet can describe external outcomes or internal experiences of failure.

See also: Suksess; Fiasko; Lykke; Selvtillit.