JLPT · Level 33
75 words
Japanese word
しくじる
Pronunciation
Romajishikujiru
Meaning
- verbmess up
Example
試験でしくじりました。shi ken de shi ku ji ri ma shi ta
I messed up on the test.
More examples
早く話しすぎて、交渉でしくじってしまいました。haya ku hana shi su gi te kō shō de shi ku ji tte shi ma i ma shi ta
I messed up the negotiation by speaking too soon.
Core concept
Describes making a mistake that causes an attempt or situation to go badly.
Common phrases
試験でしくじるshi ken de shi ku ji ru
mess up on an exam
本番でしくじるhon ban de shi ku ji ru
mess up in the real thing
交渉でしくじるkō shō de shi ku ji ru
mess up a negotiation
肝心なところでしくじるkan jin na to ko ro de shi ku ji ru
mess up at a crucial point
Similar words
失敗するshippaisuru: To be unsuccessful in reaching a goal or completing an attempt.
やらかすyarakasu: To make a noticeable mistake that creates a problem or bad result.
誤るayamaru: To make a mistake in judgment, choice, or action.
Definition in Japanese
取り組みや判断を誤り、物事をうまくいかなくする。to ri ku mi ya han dan o ayama ri mono goto o u ma ku i ka na ku su ru
Word origin
The verb しくじる (shikujiru) is a contracted form related to 仕損じる (shisonjiru), combining 仕 (shi, "doing") with 損じる (sonjiru, "to spoil").
Usage tips
- In casual Japanese, しくじる (shikujiru) often describes a personal mistake, while 失敗する (shippai suru) is more neutral and widely usable.
Other meanings
- failverb
- blunderverb
Opposites
- 成功するseikōsurusucceedverb
Related words
- しくじりshikujiriblundernoun