落第

Failing an exam, course, or standard

Readings

Other forms

落第する plain form

落第します polite form

落第して te-form

落第した plain past

Noun, Suru verb

Failing / Not Making the Grade

Describes the failure to achieve the passing marks required to advance in school or succeed in an examination.

Good to know

落第（らくだい） means failing in a way that blocks advancement, especially in school. It is stronger and more official than 落ちる（おちる）, the general word for “to fail.”

Use 落第 for failing a course, grade, or required standard. In school, it can imply not moving up to the next grade, often connected with 留年（りゅうねん）, “repeating a year.”

Do not confuse it with 不合格（ふごうかく）, which usually means not passing a specific test or screening. 不合格 is about the result. 落第 is about failing the required level.

A useful related word is 落第点（らくだいてん）, meaning a failing score. It is also used metaphorically for something that does not meet the minimum standard, such as a product, plan, or policy.

Example

この品質では落第だ。市場には出せない。

This quality doesn't make the grade. We can't put it on the market.

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落第

らくだい

Failing an exam, course, or standard

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