错误 meaning in English

cuòwù

mistaken; false; wrong; error; mistake

HSK 3adjectivenounTraditional 錯誤22 strokes

Meaning of 错误

Definitions from CC-CEDICT.

cuòwù

mistaken; false; wrong
error; mistake

Measure word: 個|个

How to use 错误

错误 works as a noun meaning "a mistake" and as an adjective meaning "wrong" or "mistaken". It sounds more formal than plain 错 (cuò), so it is common in writing, news, and serious talk. Example: 我犯了一个错误。(Wǒ fàn le yí ge cuòwù.) I made a mistake.

Both halves mean "wrong": 错 (cuò) is the everyday word for wrong, and 误 (wù) appears in words like 误会 (wùhuì, to misunderstand). Put two "wrongs" together and you get a full, formal word for an error.

Common mistake: Learners often say 做错误 to mean "make a mistake", but the natural verb is 犯 (fàn): 犯错误 (fàn cuòwù). Also, both syllables are fourth tone, so do not let 误 (wù) drift into a rising tone.

错误 in example sentences

Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.

他tā必bì定dìng会huì觉jué察chá到dào你nǐ的de错cuò误wù。

He's bound to notice your mistake.

我wǒ们men不bù该gāi因yīn为wèi错cuò误wù取qǔ笑xiào他tā。

We shouldn't laugh at his mistake.

约yuē翰hàn很hěn可kě能néng犯fàn了le一yí个gè错cuò误wù。

John is likely to make a mistake.

没méi错cuò，我wǒ在zài说shuō这zhè个ge句jù子zi的de错cuò误wù。

That's right, I am talking about the mistake in this sentence.

你nǐ每měi次cì都dōu继jì续xù犯fàn同tóng样yàng的de错cuò误wù。

You continue making the same mistakes time after time.

Stroke order for each character

Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.

错 cuò · mistake · 13 strokes

误 wù · mistake · 9 strokes

Related words

Words that share a character with 错误.

不错	bùcuò	correct; right
没错	méi cuò	that's right; sure!
误会	wùhuì	to misunderstand; to mistake
误解	wùjiě	to misunderstand; misunderstanding
失误	shīwù	lapse; mistake
错过	cuòguò	to miss (train, opportunity etc)
耽误	dānwu	to delay; to hold up
过错	guòcuò	mistake; fault
认错	rèncuò	to admit an error; to acknowledge one's mistake
差错	chācuò	mistake; slip-up; fault; error; accident; mishap
误导	wùdǎo	to mislead; to misguide
错觉	cuòjué	misconception; illusion

Questions about 错误

What does 错误 mean?

错误 (cuòwù) means "mistaken; false; wrong; error; mistake" and is used as a adjective and noun.

How do you write 错误?

错误 is made of 2 characters: 错 (13 strokes), 误 (9 strokes). That is 22 strokes in total.

Is 错误 an HSK word?

Yes. 错误 is on the HSK 3 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.

How is 错误 written in traditional Chinese?

In traditional characters, 错误 is written 錯誤.

What is the difference between 错 and 错误?

错 (cuò) is short and casual, often used after a verb, as in 你写错了 (nǐ xiě cuò le, you wrote it wrong). 错误 is a two-syllable word used as a noun or before a noun, as in 错误的答案 (cuòwù de dá'àn, the wrong answer). You cannot say 你写错误了.

How is 错误 different from 失误?

失误 (shīwù) is a slip or lapse, often in performance, like a missed shot in sports. 错误 is broader and covers any error, including wrong ideas, choices, or facts.