错 (cuò) — wrong
HSK 1 | adjective | wrong, incorrect, mistaken
错 (cuò)
An adjective meaning wrong, incorrect, or mistaken. It is the direct antonym of 对 (duì). It is also used as a noun to mean a mistake or error.
Meanings
- [adjective] Wrong, incorrect, mistaken.
- [noun] A mistake, an error.
Example Sentences
这道题你做错了。 Zhè dào tí nǐ zuò cuò le. You did this problem incorrectly.
对不起，我说错了，请原谅我。 Duìbuqǐ, wǒ shuō cuò le, qǐng yuánliàng wǒ. Sorry, I said something wrong, please forgive me.
这不是我的错，是他先开始的。 Zhè bú shì wǒ de cuò, shì tā xiān kāishǐ de. This is not my mistake, he started it first.
你走错路了，应该向左转。 Nǐ zǒu cuò lù le, yīnggāi xiàng zuǒ zhuǎn. You took the wrong road, you should turn left.
Collocations
| Collocation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 做错 (zuò cuò) | do something wrong |
| 说错 (shuō cuò) | say something wrong |
| 走错 (zǒu cuò) | go the wrong way |
| 写错 (xiě cuò) | write incorrectly |
| 我的错 (wǒ de cuò) | my fault, my mistake |
| 不错 (bùcuò) | not bad, pretty good |
Memory Hook
Note that 不错 (not wrong) is the common way to say "not bad" or "pretty good" in Chinese. Knowing 错 unlocks this everyday phrase immediately.