Chinese word

过错

Pronunciation

Pinyinguò cuò

Meaning

  • nounmistake

Example

他承认了自己的过错。tā chéng rèn le zì jǐ de guò cuò

He admitted his mistake.

Illustration for 过错 (mistake)

More examples

她在反省自己的过错，准备改进。tā zài fán xǐng zì jǐ de guò cuò zhǔn bèi gǎi jìn

She is reflecting on her mistake and preparing to improve.

Core concept

An error in a person's actions or decisions that becomes a matter of responsibility.

Common phrases

  • 承认过错chéng rèn guò cuò

    admit a mistake

  • 反省过错fán xǐng guò cuò

    reflect on a mistake

  • 弥补过错mí bǔ guò cuò

    make amends for a mistake

Similar words

错误cuò wù: An error in knowledge or reasoning that leads to a wrong result.
失误shī wù: A brief failure in an operation or response that prevents the expected result.
过失guò shī: A mistake caused by carelessness or a duty violation, with possible legal or ethical consequences.
疏忽shū hū: A careless mistake caused by inattention, an oversight, or neglect.

Definition in Chinese

对行为或决定中的过失或错误的指称，通常含有应道歉或承担后果的意味。duì xíng wéi huò jué dìng zhōng de guò shī huò cuò wù de zhǐ chēng tōng cháng hán yǒu yīng dào qiàn huò chéng dān hòu guǒ de yì wèi

Word origin

过 (guò, "to go beyond") + 错 (cuò, "wrong") forms a compound for a wrong act or decision that has crossed what is proper.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Chinese, this word often frames a mistake as something that calls for admission, an apology, or responsibility, rather than a harmless slip.

Other meanings

  • errornoun
  • faultnoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word