# 名落孙山

míng luò sūn shān

Fail to make the successful list

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** One's name falls below Sun Shan's

**Traditional Chinese:** 名落孫山

**Register:** Disappointed · conversational

[Change & possibility](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/change)

## When to use it

Use for failing an examination or missing selection in a competitive process.

It describes not being selected, rather than any ordinary mistake or setback.

## Understanding the expression

The image concerns a name appearing below the boundary of successful candidates. Modern use usually refers to an examination, admission list, competition, or selection. It emphasizes exclusion from the successful group rather than the exact score. The phrase may soften a disappointing announcement, but it still states failure clearly. It should not be applied to an activity without a meaningful selection result.

## Examples

这次考试他名落孙山，但决定明年再试。

### Traditional Chinese

這次考試他名落孫山，但決定明年再試。

zhè cì kǎo shì tā míng luò sūn shān ， dàn jué dìng míng nián zài shì 。

He failed the exam this time but decided to try again next year.

申请结果公布后，她发现自己名落孙山。

### Traditional Chinese

申請結果公佈後，她發現自己名落孫山。

shēn qǐng jié guǒ gōng bù hòu ， tā fā xiàn zì jǐ míng luò sūn shān 。

When the application results were announced, she found she had not been selected.

球队在选拔赛中名落孙山，无缘决赛。

### Traditional Chinese

球隊在選拔賽中名落孫山，無緣決賽。

qiú duì zài xuǎn bá sài zhōng míng luò sūn shān ， wú yuán jué sài 。

The team failed to qualify in the selection round and missed the final.

一次名落孙山，并不代表以后没有机会。

### Traditional Chinese

一次名落孫山，並不代表以後沒有機會。

yí cì míng luò sūn shān ， bìng bú dài biǎo yǐ hòu méi yǒu jī huì 。

One unsuccessful selection does not mean there will never be another opportunity.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E5%90%8D%E8%90%BD%E5%AD%AB%E5%B1%B1)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=8&webMd=1&la=0)

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