Chinese word

过失

Pronunciation

Pinyinguò shī

Meaning

  • nounfault

Example

这次事故并非他的过失。zhè cì shì gù bìng fēi tā de guò shī

This accident was not his fault.

Illustration for 过失 (fault)

More examples

法院认定被告方存在共同的过失。fǎ yuàn rèn dìng bèi gào fāng cún zài gòng tóng de guò shī

The court found that the defendant shared fault.

Core concept

A lapse in care or rule-following that causes harm and leaves responsibility attached to someone.

Common phrases

  • 轻微过失qīng wēi guò shī

    minor negligence

  • 过失行为guò shī xíng wéi

    negligent act

Similar words

疏忽shū hū: Failure to give needed attention or care, leading to a problem or harm.
过错guò cuò: An error or flaw in conduct or judgment that provides grounds for responsibility.

Definition in Chinese

多用于法律或正式文书，指因未尽注意义务或违反规范而导致的损害或应承担的责任，含可归责的过错成分。duō yòng yú fǎ lǜ huò zhèng shì wén shū zhǐ yīn wèi jǐn zhù yì yì wù huò wéi fǎn guī fàn ér dǎo zhì de sǔn hài huò yìng chéng dān de zé rèn hán kě guī zé de guò cuò chéng fèn

Word origin

过 (guò, "fault") + 失 (shī, "failure") combines the ideas of going wrong and missing what is required, making the word suitable for an attributable lapse rather than a neutral event.

Usage tips

  • In insurance and accident reports, this noun can assign responsibility even when the harm is unintended, so it does not by itself imply deliberate action.

Other meanings

  • mistakenoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 过失行为guò shī xíng wéinegligent actnoun

Word lists with this word