Definition
失足 is a separable verb (离合词) with two main uses: literally 'to slip and fall', and figuratively 'to make a serious mistake or go down the wrong path in life'. As a separable verb, you can insert aspect markers like 了/过 or measure words between 失 and 足, e.g. 失过一次足 (made one wrong step in life). The literal sense is often used without separation, while the figurative sense commonly appears in split form.
v.o.
to slip and fallto lose one's footing(figurative) to take a wrong step in lifeto make a serious mistake
Examples
- 失足，。Tā bù xiǎoxīn shī zú, diào jìn le hé li.He accidentally slipped and fell into the river.
- ，失足。Niánqīng rén yào xiǎoxīn, bú yào shī zú.Young people should be careful not to go astray.
- ，。Tā niánqīng shí shī guò yí cì zú, hòulái gǎiguò zìxīn le.He made one wrong step in his youth, but later turned over a new leaf.
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