durchfallen
to fail (an exam)
Advanced Verb
🔊
Pronunciation
/ˈdʊʁç.fa.lən/
💡
Cultural Note
Durchfallen is a separable verb (trennbares Verb). At German universities, students typically get three attempts to pass an exam (Drittversuch). Failing the third attempt can mean being permanently barred from that degree program nationwide.
📝 Example Sentences
Er ist in Mathematik durchgefallen.
He failed in mathematics.
Wenn du nicht lernst, wirst du durchfallen.
If you don't study, you will fail.