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To not meet the required standard, especially in an exam or assessment.
如果你不及格，就得重考。
If you fail, you'll have to retake the exam.
这次测验不及格的人需要补习。
Those who failed this quiz need remedial lessons.
Commonly used in educational contexts to indicate failing a test or course.
Do not confuse '不及格' with '不合格' (bùhégé), which means 'not qualified' or 'substandard' in a broader sense (e.g., products, people).
Always check if the context is academic (e.g., exams) when using '不及格.' It is not used for general failures in life.
The word is composed of 三个汉字: '不' (bù, meaning 'not'), '及' (jí, meaning 'reach' or 'meet'), and '格' (gé, meaning 'standard' or 'criterion'). Together, it literally means 'not reaching the standard.'
Used in formal contexts, especially in education. The opposite is '及格' (jígé, to pass).