English → French
failure /BrE ˈfeɪljə 
, AmE ˈfeɪljər /
noun
1 (lack of success) (general) échec m (in à); Finance faillite f
his failure to understand the problem son incapacité f
to end in failure se solder par un échec
2 (unsuccessful person) raté m/ratée f ; (unsuccessful venture or event) échec m
he was a failure as a teacher comme professeur il ne valait rien
to be a failure at sports ne pas être doué en sport
to feel a failure penser avoir raté sa vie
the operation was a failure l'opération a été un échec or
3 (breakdown) (of engine, machine, power) panne f; Medicine (of organ) défaillance f
due to a mechanical failure dû à une défaillance mécanique
4 (omission)
failure to keep a promise manquementm
failure to appear (in court) Law défaut m
failure to comply with the rules non-respect m
failure to pay non-paiement m
they were surprised at his failure to attend the meeting ils étaient surpris qu'il n'assiste pas à la réunion