Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
Fail in Spanish: Fracasar
Fracasar · verb · frah-kah-SAHR
Fracasar is the Spanish verb meaning to fail in a broad, life-or-project sense. For failing exams, Latin America uses reprobar while Spain uses suspender. Fallar covers mechanical failures or the sense of letting someone down. Each verb captures a different shade of failure.
Pronounce fracasar as frah-kah-SAHR, stressing the final syllable. It is a regular -ar verb with no stem changes.
No quiero fracasar en este proyecto.
I don't want to fail on this project.
Fail in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for fail, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| fracasar | fail | frah-kah-SAHR | Default, widely understood |
| fallar | fail | to fail mechanically or to let someone down | |
| reprobar | fail | Latin America — to fail an exam | |
| suspender | fail | Spain — to fail an exam |
How Native Speakers Use Fracasar
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Failing a project or endeavor
El negocio fracasó porque no tenía suficiente capital.
The business failed because it didn't have enough capital.
Fracasar is used for larger-scale failures involving plans, businesses, or relationships.
Failing an exam (Latin America)
Reprobé el examen de historia por segunda vez.
I failed the history exam for the second time.
Reprobar is the standard verb for academic failure in Mexico and most of Latin America.
Mechanical or personal failure
Los frenos del coche fallaron en la autopista.
The car's brakes failed on the highway.
Fallar is used when a machine, system, or person fails to perform as expected.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Fracasar
Using fracasar for failing an exam
Incorrect: Fracasé el examen de química.
Correct: Reprobé el examen de química.
Fracasar implies a large-scale, dramatic failure and sounds too grandiose for a single exam. Use reprobar (Latin America) or suspender (Spain) for academic tests.
Using falir as a verb
Incorrect: No quiero falir en mi carrera.
Correct: No quiero fracasar en mi carrera.
Falir does not exist in standard Spanish. The correct verbs for failing are fracasar (general), fallar (mechanical or personal), and reprobar/suspender (academic).
Lock in Fail Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Fracasar used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using fracasar in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear No quiero fracasar en este proyecto. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.
Common Questions About Fail in Spanish
- How do you say fail in Spanish?
- The translation varies by situation. Fracasar means to fail in a big-picture sense (businesses, plans, relationships). Reprobar (Latin America) or suspender (Spain) means to fail an exam. Fallar means to malfunction or to let someone down.
- What is the difference between reprobar and suspender?
- Both mean to fail an exam, but reprobar is used in Latin America and suspender in Spain. If you tell a Spanish speaker you reprobaste, they will understand you, but the local term might differ depending on the country.
- Can fracasar be used for small failures?
- Fracasar typically implies a significant or consequential failure, such as a business going under or a plan collapsing entirely. For smaller everyday failures, fallar or no lograr are more appropriate and proportional.