失败乃成功之母
Failure is the mother of success
Literalmente: Failure (失败) is (乃) success's (成功之) mother (母)
Use this to encourage someone to keep going after they have experienced a setback or mistake.
Em 15 segundos
- Failure is a necessary stepping stone to winning.
- Every mistake provides a lesson for future success.
- Stay resilient and keep trying after a setback.
Significado
It means that every mistake or defeat is actually a valuable lesson that prepares you for future victory. Think of failure as the necessary 'parent' that gives birth to your eventual success.
Exemplos-chave
3 de 6Texting a friend who failed their driving test
别难过，失败乃成功之母，下次你一定行！
Don't be sad, failure is the mother of success, you'll definitely pass next time!
A manager encouraging a team after a lost contract
虽然这次没中标，但失败乃成功之母，我们要总结经验。
Although we didn't win the bid, failure is the mother of success; we need to learn from this.
Humorous comment after a cooking disaster
这盘菜烧焦了也没关系，毕竟失败乃成功之母嘛！
It's fine that this dish is burnt; after all, failure is the mother of success!
Contexto cultural
This expression is a staple of the Chinese educational system, used to instill 'grit' in students from a young age. It reflects the Confucian emphasis on self-improvement and the idea that wisdom is earned through trial and error. Interestingly, it is often attributed to various historical figures, but it has become a universal piece of folk wisdom across the Sinosphere.
Pair it for power
Try adding `别灰心` (bié huīxīn - don't lose heart) before the phrase to make your encouragement sound much warmer and more natural.
Watch the '乃'
If you want to sound super modern and young, use `是` (shì) instead of `乃` (nǎi). `乃` can sound a bit like you're quoting an old teacher.
Em 15 segundos
- Failure is a necessary stepping stone to winning.
- Every mistake provides a lesson for future success.
- Stay resilient and keep trying after a setback.
What It Means
This phrase is the ultimate 'don't give up' mantra. It reframes failure as something positive. In this view, failure isn't a dead end. It is a teacher. Every time you trip, you learn how to walk better. It suggests that success cannot exist without the lessons learned from failing first. It is about building grit and resilience.
How To Use It
You can use it as a standalone sentence to comfort someone. It works well at the end of a long explanation. You can also use it to encourage yourself. It's a very flexible 'pep talk' phrase. Usually, you say it after a specific disappointment has occurred. It helps shift the focus from the 'loss' to the 'lesson.'
When To Use It
Use it when your friend bombs a job interview. Use it when your kid is crying over a tough math problem. It is perfect for sports after a tough loss. Use it in the office when a project doesn't go as planned. It’s great for language learning when you forget every word you just studied. It turns a negative moment into a growth opportunity.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it if someone is experiencing a serious tragedy. If someone loses a loved one, this phrase is way too light. Avoid using it if someone failed because they were lazy. It is meant for people who actually tried their best. Also, don't use it repeatedly for the same mistake. At some point, you need a new strategy, not just a proverb!
Cultural Background
This phrase is deeply rooted in the Chinese value of 'eating bitterness' or 吃苦. Chinese culture places a high premium on persistence and long-term effort. You will see this phrase on school posters and in graduation speeches. It reflects a traditional belief that character is forged through hardship. The word 乃 (nǎi) is a literary way to say 'is,' giving it a classic feel.
Common Variations
You will often hear 失败是成功之母 (shībài shì chénggōng zhī mǔ). This version uses 是 instead of 乃. It sounds much more modern and conversational. Both versions mean exactly the same thing. The 乃 version just sounds a bit more 'official' or like a classic proverb.
Notas de uso
The phrase is neutral in formality. Using `乃` makes it sound slightly more literary, while replacing it with `是` makes it very conversational. It is almost always used to provide emotional support or to encourage perseverance.
Pair it for power
Try adding `别灰心` (bié huīxīn - don't lose heart) before the phrase to make your encouragement sound much warmer and more natural.
Watch the '乃'
If you want to sound super modern and young, use `是` (shì) instead of `乃` (nǎi). `乃` can sound a bit like you're quoting an old teacher.
The 'Mother' Metaphor
In Chinese, calling something the 'mother' of something else is a common way to describe a source or origin. It implies a nurturing relationship between the two concepts.
Exemplos
6别难过，失败乃成功之母，下次你一定行！
Don't be sad, failure is the mother of success, you'll definitely pass next time!
A classic way to offer immediate comfort via text.
虽然这次没中标，但失败乃成功之母，我们要总结经验。
Although we didn't win the bid, failure is the mother of success; we need to learn from this.
Used here to pivot from disappointment to a professional post-mortem.
这盘菜烧焦了也没关系，毕竟失败乃成功之母嘛！
It's fine that this dish is burnt; after all, failure is the mother of success!
Using the proverb to lighten the mood after a small mistake.
孩子，别哭，失败乃成功之母，以后多练习就好。
Don't cry, kid. Failure is the mother of success. Just practice more in the future.
A gentle, parental way to teach resilience.
我一直坚信失败乃成功之母，所以我不怕重头再来。
I have always believed failure is the mother of success, so I'm not afraid to start over.
Shows strong personal resolve and emotional depth.
同学们，请记住，失败乃成功之母。
Students, please remember, failure is the mother of success.
The most traditional and formal use of the phrase.
Teste-se
Choose the correct word to complete the proverb.
失败___成功之母。
The traditional version of the proverb uses `乃` (nǎi), which is a classical way of saying 'is'.
Which phrase best fits this situation: Your friend failed the HSK 4 exam and feels like giving up.
别放弃！___，下次再努力。
`失败乃成功之母` is the perfect encouragement for someone who has faced a setback like failing an exam.
🎉 Pontuação: /2
Recursos visuais
Formality and Context Spectrum
Used with friends after small mishaps like burning dinner.
烧焦了？没事，失败乃成功之母！
Standard encouragement for colleagues or students.
考试没过别灰心，失败乃成功之母。
Used in speeches or writing to discuss perseverance.
正如古话所说，失败乃成功之母。
When to say '失败乃成功之母'
Failed Exam
Encouraging a classmate.
Business Loss
Motivating a startup team.
Sports Defeat
Comforting a teammate.
Learning a Skill
Self-talk during piano practice.
Cooking Fail
Laughing off a kitchen disaster.
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasIn this context, 乃 is a classical Chinese particle that functions like the modern word 是 (shì), meaning 'is' or 'to be'.
Not at all. While it has a classical structure, it is used very commonly in everyday conversations, especially when giving advice.
Yes, it is appropriate as long as you follow it up with practical encouragement or help. It shows you believe in their future success.
No, this is the standard four-character or six-character form. People usually say the whole thing.
Yes! It’s often used humorously for small things like failing to assemble IKEA furniture or messing up a recipe.
It is a bit of a cliché, similar to 'If at first you don't succeed...' in English, but it is still considered a very positive and polite thing to say.
There isn't one specific author; it's a piece of traditional wisdom that has been popularized over centuries in Chinese literature and education.
The first one uses classical grammar (乃), making it sound more like a proverb. The second uses modern grammar (是), making it sound more like a regular sentence.
Yes, especially if you are writing a 'lessons learned' email or trying to boost morale after a project didn't meet its goals.
Be careful. It might sound like you are lecturing them. It's better to use it with peers, subordinates, or friends.
Frases relacionadas
塞翁失马，焉知非福
A blessing in disguise (literally: The old man lost his horse, how could he know it wasn't a blessing?)
百折不挠
Keep on fighting despite setbacks; indomitable.
前事不忘，后事之师
Lessons learned from the past can guide the future.
功到自然成
Success will come when enough effort is put in.
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