失灵 shīlíng out of order (of machine)
out of order (of machine); not working properly; a failing (of a system)
How to remember 失灵: 失 to lose + 灵 spirit = out of order (of machine).
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How it is used
- To malfunction / stop working properly - 刹车失灵 (shāchē shīlíng) the brakes fail; 市场失灵 (shìchǎng shīlíng) market failure (economics).
- About a device or mechanism/system no longer functioning; the economic 'market failure' sense is a fixed term. Neutral.