错 (cuò)

错 means wrong or mistaken. It is used to describe an incorrect answer, action, or situation. In colloquial speech, 不错 (bú cuò) is a common expression meaning "not bad" or "pretty good," which is its own useful phrase to learn alongside 错.

Meanings

[adjective] Wrong; incorrect; mistaken. Describes something that does not match the expected or correct version.
[noun] Mistake; error. Used in expressions about faults and corrections.

Example Sentences

这个答案是错的。 Zhège dá'àn shì cuò de. This answer is wrong.

对不起，我说错了。 Duìbuqǐ, wǒ shuō cuò le. Sorry, I said it incorrectly.

这道菜味道不错！ Zhè dào cài wèidào bú cuò! This dish tastes pretty good!

你没错，是我的问题。 Nǐ méi cuò, shì wǒ de wèntí. You are not wrong; it is my problem.

Collocations

Collocation	Meaning
不错 (bú cuò)	not bad; pretty good
说错 (shuō cuò)	to say something wrong
走错 (zǒu cuò)	to go the wrong way
做错 (zuò cuò)	to do something wrong
犯错 (fàn cuò)	to make a mistake

Memory Hook

错 has the gold/metal radical (钅) on the left, suggesting something refined that has gone off-track. When precious metal is miscast, it comes out 错 (wrong). Even valuable things can go wrong.