Chinese Conversation · Level 19
90 words
Chinese word
弄错
Pronunciation
Pinyinnòng cuò
Meaning
- verbget wrong
Example
我把地址弄错了。wǒ bǎ dì zhǐ nòng cuò le
I got the address wrong.
More examples
下次别把电话号码弄错了。xià cì bié bǎ diàn huà hào mǎ nòng cuò le
Don't get the phone number wrong next time.
Core concept
A detail is handled or judged as one thing when it is actually another, so the resulting answer, record, or decision misses the truth.
Common phrases
把号码弄错bǎ hào mǎ nòng cuò
get the number wrong
别弄错了bié nòng cuò le
don't get it wrong
Similar words
搞错gǎo cuò: Make a mistake while dealing with something or judging it, producing an incorrect result.
记错jì cuò: Have an incorrect memory of something that should be remembered.
看错kàn cuò: Understand something seen or read incorrectly, or mistake it for something else.
误认wù rèn: Judge a different person or thing to be the same one by mistake.
Definition in Chinese
把人、事、地点、时间、数字等在判断、处理或记录时弄错，导致结果与事实或预期不符。bǎ rén shì dì diǎn shí jiān shù zì děng zài pàn duàn chú lǐ huò jì lù shí nòng cuò dǎo zhì jié guǒ yǔ shì shí huò yù qī bù fú
Word origin
弄 (nòng, "handle or do") + 错 (cuò, "wrong") presents an action that produces an incorrect result, which explains its use for mistaken handling, judgment, or identification.
Usage tips
- English speakers may expect a separate expression for confusing two items, but this everyday verb also covers a wrong identity, address, time, or number when the result is incorrect.
Other meanings
- mix upverb
- misidentifyverb
- misunderstandverb