错误 (cuòwù) — mistake / error

错误 (cuòwù)

错误 refers to a mistake, error, or fault — something done incorrectly. As a noun it names the error itself; as an adjective it describes something as wrong or mistaken. It is slightly more formal than 错 alone and is common in written and spoken Chinese.

Meanings

1. [noun] Mistake; error; fault; incorrect action.
2. [adjective] Wrong; incorrect; mistaken.

Example Sentences

我犯了一个很严重的错误。 Wǒ fàn le yīgè hěn yánzhòng de cuòwù. I made a very serious mistake.

这篇文章里有几个语法错误。 Zhè piān wénzhāng lǐ yǒu jǐ gè yǔfǎ cuòwù. There are several grammar errors in this essay.

承认错误是勇敢的表现。 Chéngrèn cuòwù shì yǒnggǎn de biǎoxiàn. Admitting mistakes is a sign of courage.

这个想法是错误的，我们需要重新考虑。 Zhège xiǎngfǎ shì cuòwù de, wǒmen xūyào chóngxīn kǎolǜ. This idea is wrong; we need to reconsider.

Collocations

Memory Hook

错 has the metal radical 钅 plus 昔 — literally "old metal gone wrong." 误 has the speech radical 讠 plus a phonetic — a word gone astray. Stack them: doubly off track, a real mistake.