没错
méicuò
In Chinese, the English phrase 'exactly' is expressed as 没错 (méicuò).
没错 is commonly used as an interjection to express agreement with what someone has just said, functioning as 'exactly' or 'that's right'.
Meaning: in an exact manner (adv)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 没 (méi), meaning 'not' and 错 (cuò), meaning 'wrong'.
Which one should you use?
While 没错 emphasizes that there is no error in the statement, 对 is a more neutral way to say 'correct' or 'yes'.
How do you pronounce it?
méicuò
Did you know?
- If you want to say 'exactly' regarding a measurement, like 'exactly 5 kilograms', you would not use 没错. Instead, you would use 正好 or 准确.
- In a heated argument, saying 没错 can sometimes sound more assertive than the polite 对. It carries a tone of 'you are absolutely not mistaken'.
- The phrase 没错 is built on a logic of negation. Instead of affirming a truth, it functions by denying the existence of a mistake.
Examples in context
- 我需要你确切的计划。I need your exact plan.
- 请给我确切的数字。Please give me the exact numbers.
- 你正好来了！You came at exactly the right time!
- 这个答案正好。This answer is exactly right.
- 你说的没错。Nǐ shuō de méi cuò.You are exactly right.
- 我也觉得没错。Wǒ yě juéde méi cuò.I also think that is exactly right.
Example conversation
Two friends are agreeing on a movie choice.
- 佳怡 Jiayi这部电影看起来很有意思。zhè bù diàn yǐng kàn qǐ lái hěn yǒu yì si.This movie looks very interesting.
- 志强 Zhiqiang没错，评价也非常高。méi cuò, píng jià yě fēi cháng gāo.Exactly, the reviews are also very high.
- 佳怡 Jiayi那我们现在买票吧。nà wǒ men xiàn zài mǎi piào ba.Then let's buy the tickets now.
- 志强 Zhiqiang好，志强现在就买。hǎo, zhì qiáng xiàn zài jiù mǎi.Okay, Zhiqiang will buy them right now.
