tu as échoué
The English phrase "you failed" is translated into French as tu as échoué.
This is used to tell someone that they did not succeed in achieving a goal or passing a test.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase tu as échoué uses the passé composé tense, which literally translates to 'you have failed' but is the standard way to express the simple past 'you failed' in French.
Which one should you use?
Tu as raté means "you messed up," and Tu as échoué lamentablement means "you failed miserably." In formal contexts, you might use Vous avez échoué (you failed), Vous n'avez pas réussi (you did not succeed) or Vous n'avez pu y arriver (you couldn't make it).
How does it change in a sentence?
Use vous avez échoué instead of tu as échoué when addressing more than one person or when using the formal 'you'.
When do people say it?
The phrase Tu t'es planté(e) literally means "you planted yourself."
Did you know?
- The verb échouer originally described a ship running aground on a shore or a reef. When you use tu as échoué to say someone failed a test, you are linguistically comparing their failure to a shipwreck.
- If you use the phrase Tu as foiré in a casual setting, you are using a slang term that is quite blunt and slightly vulgar, similar to saying 'you botched it'.
- French has a specific word, raté, which can be used as a noun to describe a person who is a 'failure' in life. This transforms the verb used in tu as raté into a permanent identity for the person.
Examples in context
- Lors de l'examen oral, vous avez échoué.During the oral exam, you failed.
- Tu as malheureusement échoué cette fois-ci, mais ne te décourage pas.Unfortunately, you failed this time, but don't get discouraged.
- Bravo, tu as encore réussi à te planter magistralement !Congratulations, you managed to fail spectacularly once again!
- Tu as échoué à l'examen.You failed the exam.
- Tu as échoué à ton examen de conduite.You failed your driving test.
- Je suis désolé, mais tu as échoué.I am sorry, but you failed.
- Tu as échoué malgré tous tes efforts.You failed despite all your efforts.
Example conversation
Lucas is giving a test result to Chloé.
- LucasJ'ai les résultats, et malheureusement tu as échoué.I have the results, and unfortunately you failed.
- ChloéC'est vrai ? Je pensais avoir réussi.Is that true? I thought I had passed.
- LucasOui, tu as fait trop d'erreurs.Yes, you made too many mistakes.
- ChloéJe vais devoir étudier davantage.I will have to study more.
