Definitions
(verb)
to lose; to miss
(verb)
to fail
Etymology
Depicts a person with their hair loose. Based on the original meaning "leisure; carefree", now written as 佚. The meaning later shifted to "lose" and "fail".
About
The character 失 combines a structure resembling the hand radical 手 (shǒu) with a curved stroke 乙 (yǐ). It originated from the image of an object slipping from a hand, visually capturing the moment of dropping something. Its core meaning is the unintentional loss of possession. This concept of accidental dropping expanded to encompass a wide range of negative outcomes, such as failing to achieve a goal, missing an opportunity, breaking a promise, or making an error. The character is highly productive, forming words related to disappointment, disappearance, deviations from norms, and the loss of abstract qualities like control or balance.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
我失去了我的笔。
这次比赛我们失败了。
他对结果感到失望。
她失恋后非常伤心。
失业率持续上升。
他在关键时刻失手了。
由于错误，他失去了机会。
在公众面前失态会损害形象。