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durchfallen

to fail

verb DOORKH-fal-len Rare
People & Society Education

Also means

to flunk an exam

Usage Note

durchfallen is separable and means to fail an exam, taking bei or durch for the test: bei der Prüfung durchfallen. It is the antonym of bestehen (to pass) and forms the perfect with sein: ich bin durchgefallen. The vowel shifts: ich falle durch.

Examples

"Wenn du nicht lernst, fällst du durch."

Natural Translation

If you don't study, you'll fail.

Literal Translation

If you not study, fall you through.

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