Japanese word

落第

Pronunciation

Romajirakudai

Meaning

  • nounfailure

Example

弟は数学の試験に落第しました。otōto wa sū gaku no shi ken ni raku dai shi ma shi ta

My younger brother failed the math exam.

Illustration for 落第 (failure)

More examples

先生から落第の可能性を伝えられました。sen sei ka ra raku dai no ka nō sei o tsuta e ra re ma shi ta

My teacher told me that I might be held back.

Core concept

Describes failing to meet the required academic standard and not advancing to the next school year.

Common phrases

  • 落第の可能性raku dai no ka nō sei

    possibility of failing

  • 落第の危機raku dai no ki ki

    risk of failing

  • 落第を免れるraku dai o manuga re ru

    avoid being held back

Similar words

不合格fugōkaku: Failure to achieve the standard needed to pass an academic examination or evaluation.
留年ryūnen: The condition of not advancing and repeating the same school year.

Definition in Japanese

試験や学業の成績が基準に達せず、進級できないこと。shi ken ya gaku gyō no sei seki ga ki jun ni tas se zu shin kyū de ki na i ko to

Word origin

落第 (rakudai, "failing an examination") is a Sino-Japanese compound of 落 (raku, "fall") and 第 (dai, "rank"), describing a result that falls short of the required rank.

Usage tips

  • Unlike the broad English word failure, 落第 (rakudai) is tied to academic results and can mean being required to repeat a school year.

Other meanings

  • being held backnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 落第するrakudaisurufailverb
  • 落第者rakudaishastudent held backnoun

Word lists with this word