Usage Note
Échouer covers both failing at a task (échouer à un examen = 'to fail an exam') and a ship running aground (le bateau a échoué). The two senses are related through the idea of 'getting stuck'. The opposite is réussir (to succeed). The noun échec means 'failure' or 'check' in chess.
Examples
"Il a échoué à l'examen de conduite."
Natural Translation
He failed the driving test.

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