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"Fracasar" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to fail", and "fallar" is an intransitive verb which is also often translated as "to fail". Learn more about the difference between "fracasar" and "fallar" below.
fracasar(
frah
-
kah
-
sahr
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to fail
Los alpinistas quisieron llegar a la cumbre, pero fracasaron por la tormenta.The climbers tried to reach the summit, but they failed due to the storm.
No podemos darnos el lujo de fracasar; el futuro de la humanidad está en juego.We cannot afford to fail; the fate of humanity is at stake.
b. to be unsuccessful
Gerardo fracasó en su intento de ser elegido presidente.Gerardo was unsuccessful in his attempt to be elected president.
c. to fall through
El plan de la empresa de construir un edificio moderno en el bosque fracasó.The company's plan to build a modern building in the forest fell through.
fallar(
fah
-
yahr
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to stop working
El motor de mi auto falló esta mañana.My car engine stopped working this morning.
a. to fail
Le di otra oportunidad y me falló otra vez.I gave her another chance and she failed me again.
b. to let down
Sé qué te fallé, profesor. - No me fallaste, Beto; te fallaste a ti mismo.I know I let you down, professor. - You didn't let me down, Beto; you let yourself down.
4. (to break)
a. to give way
La columna falló y el edificio se derrumbó.The column gave way and the building collapsed.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
6. (to not hit)
7. (to mistake)
