試験に落ちる
fail an exam
Literally: to fall at/in an exam
Use `試験に落ちる` to naturally describe failing any formal test or pass/fail evaluation.
In 15 Seconds
- Standard phrase for failing any kind of test or exam.
- Combines 'shiken' (exam) with 'ochiru' (to fall).
- Used for school, licenses, and sometimes job interviews.
Meaning
It's the standard way to say you didn't pass a test. It literally describes 'falling' off the passing list or failing to reach the required grade.
Key Examples
3 of 6Telling a friend about a bad result
昨日、日本語の試験に落ちちゃった。
I failed my Japanese exam yesterday (and I'm sad about it).
Reporting a result to a teacher
残念ながら、大学の試験に落ちました。
Unfortunately, I failed the university entrance exam.
A quick text to a classmate
また試験に落ちた。最悪。
Failed the exam again. The worst.
Cultural Background
In Japan, 'exam season' is a high-stakes period where students visit shrines to pray for success. The word 'ochiru' is so taboo during this time that people avoid using it or even eating foods that might 'slip' or 'fall' to avoid bad luck.
The 'Oops' Ending
Use `落ちちゃった` (ochichatta) when talking to friends. It sounds more natural and shows you're a bit bummed out about it.
Exam Season Taboo
Avoid using the word `落ちる` (fall) or `滑る` (slip) around students during February. It's considered bad luck and might stress them out!
In 15 Seconds
- Standard phrase for failing any kind of test or exam.
- Combines 'shiken' (exam) with 'ochiru' (to fall).
- Used for school, licenses, and sometimes job interviews.
What It Means
Imagine you're climbing a ladder toward a goal. If you don't make it, you "fall" off. That's exactly how Japanese people view failing an exam. The word 試験 (shiken) means exam. The verb 落ちる (ochiru) means to fall or drop. Together, they describe the painful moment you see your name missing from the pass list. It’s not just for school. It’s for any hurdle where someone judges your performance. It's a very common, everyday collocation.
How To Use It
Using this phrase is super simple. Take the name of the test and add に落ちる. For example, JLPTに落ちた means "I failed the JLPT." The particle に is the key here. It points to the specific exam that tripped you up. If you want to sound more natural with friends, use the "te-form" with shimau. Saying 落ちちゃった (ochichatta) adds a touch of "oops, I did it" regret. It makes you sound human and relatable. It’s much more common in speech than the formal noun version.
When To Use It
This is your go-to phrase for academic settings. Use it when talking about university entrance exams. Use it for your driver's license test. It even works for job interviews sometimes. If there was a formal "pass/fail" result, 落ちる is the word. You’ll hear it in school hallways and at dinner tables. It’s a factual way to share bad news. Just be prepared for a sympathetic "Don't worry!" from your friends. It's a very relatable experience in Japan.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use this for general failures in life. If you failed to wake up on time, don't use 落ちる. If you failed to fix your car, this isn't the phrase. It’s strictly for tests and evaluations. Also, be careful around "exam season" in Japan (January to March). Using any words related to "falling" or "slipping" near a student is considered bad luck. It’s like saying "break a leg" but in a way that actually sounds like a curse! Keep it away from people who are currently stressed about studying.
Cultural Background
Japan has a famous "Examination Hell" (Juken Jigoku). Getting into the right school is a massive deal. Because of this, 落ちる carries a lot of weight. There are even "lucky foods" to prevent falling. Students eat KitKats because the name sounds like Kitto Katsu (Surely win). They avoid eating bananas because the peel makes you "slip" (suberu), which is another word for failing. Failing isn't just a grade; it's a major life event that people take very seriously.
Common Variations
If you want to be formal, use 不合格になる (fugoukaku ni naru). This sounds like an official letter from a university. It’s cold and professional. On the flip side, if you want to be slangy, you might hear 滑る (suberu). This literally means "to slip." It’s often used for entrance exams. If you fail a test but get a second chance, you might talk about the 追試 (tsuishi), which is the make-up exam. Hopefully, you won't need that one! Just remember: 落ちる is the most natural for daily life.
Usage Notes
This is a neutral collocation suitable for most daily conversations. Use the 'te-shimau' form (`落ちてしまった`) to express regret or the 'masu' form (`落ちました`) for politeness.
The 'Oops' Ending
Use `落ちちゃった` (ochichatta) when talking to friends. It sounds more natural and shows you're a bit bummed out about it.
Exam Season Taboo
Avoid using the word `落ちる` (fall) or `滑る` (slip) around students during February. It's considered bad luck and might stress them out!
KitKat Luck
If you fail, your friends might give you a KitKat. It's a pun on 'Kitto Katsu' (You'll surely win next time!).
Examples
6昨日、日本語の試験に落ちちゃった。
I failed my Japanese exam yesterday (and I'm sad about it).
Using 'ochichatta' adds a nuance of regret or disappointment.
残念ながら、大学の試験に落ちました。
Unfortunately, I failed the university entrance exam.
The polite 'mashita' form is appropriate for teachers or superiors.
また試験に落ちた。最悪。
Failed the exam again. The worst.
Short and direct, common in texting.
全然勉強しなかったから、落ちるに決まってるよ！
I didn't study at all, so I'm definitely going to fail!
Uses 'ni kimatte iru' to show certainty in a lighthearted way.
あんなに頑張ったのに、試験に落ちるなんて信じられない。
I worked so hard; I can't believe I failed the exam.
Expresses deep frustration and disbelief.
運転免許の試験に三回も落ちたんだ。
I failed the driving test three times.
Shows the phrase applies to practical licenses too.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct particle to complete the sentence.
JLPT ___ 落ちてしまいました。
The verb `落ちる` (to fall/fail) takes the particle `に` to indicate the exam you failed.
Which verb correctly completes the phrase 'to fail an exam'?
明日の試験に ___ たくないです。
While all options mean 'down' or 'fall' in some way, only `落ちる` is used for failing exams.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Ways to say 'I failed'
Literally 'to slip'.
試験に滑った
The standard way to say it.
試験に落ちた
Official/Clinical term.
不合格になりました
When to use 試験に落ちる
University Entrance
University exams
Language Proficiency
JLPT or TOEFL
Professional Licenses
Driving or Medical test
Job Interviews
Screening tests
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt literally means 'to fall at an exam.' It's like falling off the list of passing candidates.
Yes, but use the polite form 落ちました (ochimashita). It is a neutral and factual phrase.
No, this is only for tests. For a project, you would use 失敗する (shippai suru), which means 'to fail' in a general sense.
The opposite is 試験に受かる (shiken ni ukaru) or 合格する (goukaku suru), which mean to pass.
滑る (suberu) means 'to slip.' It's a common slangy alternative specifically for entrance exams.
It's not rude, but it is blunt. If someone else failed, it's kinder to say 残念でしたね (That's too bad).
Yes, if there was a test or a clear pass/fail stage, you can say 面接に落ちた (I failed the interview).
Yes, 不合格 (fugoukaku) is the formal noun for 'failure/rejection.' You would say 不合格でした.
No, it applies to any formal evaluation, like a piano exam or a driving test.
Always use に (ni) after the name of the exam. For example: N2に落ちた.
Related Phrases
試験に受かる (to pass an exam)
不合格 (failure/rejection)
浪人 (a student waiting for another chance at entrance exams)
追試 (make-up exam/re-test)
合格する (to pass/succeed)
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