Dictionary — Entry No. 1148
실패했어
silpae-haesseo · verb
실패했어
silpae-haesseo
[shil-PAE haes-suh]
verbbeginner
Meaning
Literally means ‘I/we/they failed’ in informal past tense. This verb form carries emotional weight in Korean conversations, often used when expressing disappointment or admitting a mistake. It’s a crucial word for discussing setbacks in daily life, relationships, or professional contexts.
K-Pop & K-Drama Context
Failure and redemption are major themes in Korean media and culture. BTS’s ‘Try’ and ‘Lie’ explore internal struggles and perceived failures, while the K-drama ‘Itaewon Class’ centers on a protagonist overcoming devastating failure. The ability to acknowledge failure (silpae-haesseo) is seen as courageous in Korean society.
Example Sentences
나 시험에 실패했어.
Na siheom-e silpae-haesseo.
I failed the exam — direct, informal confession
우리가 함께 실패했어.
Uriga hamkke silpae-haesseo.
We failed together — shared responsibility/shared struggle
처음엔 실패했어도 다시 시작했어.
Cheoeum-en silpae-haesseo-do dasi sijak-haesseo.
Even though I failed at first, I started again — resilience emphasis
⚠️ Don’t use silpae-haesseo when…
1) Don’t confuse with ‘silsuhae-sseo’ (made an error) — failure is broader than single mistakes. 2) In formal/polite contexts, use ‘silpae-haess-sumnida’ instead of ‘haesseo’ to avoid sounding too casual or dismissive.
🎵 Heard In
- K-Drama: Itaewon Class — Season 1, Episode 1: Lead character confronts his father after a life-altering failure.
- K-Pop: BTS — Try (Dark & Wild album)
ℹ️ Editorial Note: The cultural context and example usage are for educational reference only. Artist names, song titles, and drama references are used descriptively to illustrate vocabulary in context. This content is AI-assisted and reviewed for accuracy. For official information, please refer to the respective artists’ or studios’ official channels.