Korean Dictionary
How to say "Fail" in Korean
“Fail” in Korean is 낙제 (pronounced "Nakje").
낙제
Nakje
Usage & Context
Failing (낙제) a course or exam carries significant social stigma in Korea. Students who fail may need to repeat a course, delaying graduation. The pressure to avoid 낙제 motivates many students to study intensely and seek tutoring. Academic failure is rarely discussed openly in Korean culture.
Example Sentence
그 과목에서 낙제하지 않으려면 열심히 공부해야 해요.
I need to study hard so I don't fail that subject.
How to use 낙제 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Fail” is 낙제, romanized as Nakje.
Usage tip
Learn this word together with a complete Korean sentence. Meaning often depends on particles, politeness level, and word order.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 낙제.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounced 'nak-je' — 'nak' rhymes with 'knock' cut short, and 'je' sounds like 'jeh.' The 'ㄱ' transitions into the 'ㅈ.'
Formal & Casual Forms
Formal (존댓말)
낙제
nakje
More academic/formal — typically used for failing grades
Casual (반말)
떨어지다
tteoreojida
Casual, literally 'to fall' — used for failing exams, interviews, etc.
More Example Sentences
disappointing news
시험에서 낙제했어요.
I failed the exam.
sharing job news
면접에서 떨어졌어요.
I failed the interview.
before finals
낙제하지 않으려고 열심히 공부해요.
I'm studying hard to avoid failing.
Cultural Context
낙제 is formal — in everyday speech, Koreans use 떨어지다 ('to fall') for failing exams, auditions, or job applications. 불합격 is the written opposite of 합격. Culturally, the pressure to not fail exams and interviews is heavy, and 낙방 (another word for failing) often feels like a personal identity blow.
Editorial note
We review entries like 낙제 for pronunciation, example sentence fit, and learner mistakes so the page answers more than a direct dictionary lookup.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
떨어졌어요.
I failed.
시험에 떨어졌어요.
I failed the exam.
낙제하지 않을게요.
I won't fail.
Related Expressions
떨어지다
tteoreojida
to fail / fall
불합격
bulhapgyeok
fail (written)
낙방
nakbang
failing an exam
재수
jaesu
retaking an exam / gap year
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