Chinese word

错过

Pronunciation

Pinyincuò guò

Meaning

  • verbmiss

Example

别因为迟到而错过面试。bié yīn wèi chí dào ér cuò guò miàn shì

Don't miss the interview just because you're late.

Illustration for 错过 (miss)

More examples

如果不提前准备，可能会错过申请奖学金的截止日期。rú guǒ bù tí qián zhǔn bèi kě néng huì cuò guò shēn qǐng jiǎng xué jīn de jié zhǐ rì qī

If you do not prepare in advance, you may miss the deadline for applying for a scholarship.

Core concept

Something important passes a person by, leaving no chance to take part or benefit.

Common phrases

  • 错过良机cuò guò liáng jī

    miss a good opportunity

  • 错过最佳时机cuò guò zuì jiā shí jī

    miss the best time

  • 错过成长的机会cuò guò chéng zhǎng de jī huì

    miss an opportunity for growth

Similar words

失去shī qù: Be without something once possessed or gained, such as an opportunity or benefit.
赶不上gǎn bú shàng: Be too late for a scheduled event or fail to catch a moving vehicle or person.
漏掉lòu diào: Omit something that should be included because of an oversight in checking or processing.
错失cuò shī: Fail to gain an important opportunity or benefit, with a somewhat formal written tone.

Definition in Chinese

因未能及时把握而让机会、时间或活动从身边过去，未能得到或参加。yīn wèi néng jí shí bǎ wò ér ràng jī huì shí jiān huò huó dòng cóng shēn biān guò qù wèi néng dé dào huò cān jiā

Word origin

错 (cuò, "miss or fail to meet") + 过 (guò, "pass by") combines failure to meet with movement past, creating the image of an opportunity passing beyond reach.

Usage tips

  • This verb does not by itself assign blame: lateness, distraction, and circumstances can all lead to the result, so context determines whether the tone is regretful or simply factual.

Other meanings

  • overlookverb
  • fail to catchverb
  • loseverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word