错
cuò
The English word 'wrong' is translated into Chinese as 错 (cuò).
错 is used to assert that something is incorrect. While 错 is a direct way to express that something is wrong, you may also use the common phrase 不对 (bù duì) to say something is 'not right' or 'incorrect' in a slightly softer way.
Meaning: asserting something incorrect (adj)
Which one should you use?
The form 错了 is an informal phrase used to indicate that something is wrong or incorrect. The expression 弄错了 is an informal way to refer to making a mistake or getting something wrong.
How does it change in a sentence?
To use 错 as an adjective to describe a noun or to complete a sentence such as 'That is wrong', you often add the particle 的 to the end, forming 错的. Additionally, adding the particle 了 to create 错了 indicates that a mistake has been made or that something has become incorrect.
How do you pronounce it?
cuò
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid trying to use 错 as a transitive verb (for example, saying 'I wrong him').
Did you know?
- The character 错 contains a radical meaning 'metal', because its original meaning referred to the act of polishing or rubbing metal to make it smooth.
- The character 错 can be used in the term 错综复杂 (cuò zōng fù zá) to describe something incredibly intricate and complex, rather than something incorrect.
- If you say 没错 (méi cuò), it literally means 'no mistake' but is used as a common way to say 'exactly' or 'that is correct'.
Examples in context
- 你完全没错。You are not at all wrong.This sentence is useful for expressing that someone is not at all wrong using 错.Tatoeba #1780766 by sadhen, translation #9590 by CK
- 那样是错的。That was wrong.This sentence is useful for stating that something was wrong using 错.Tatoeba #5096414 by mirrorvan, translation #2250989 by CK
- 那似乎错了。That just seems wrong.This sentence is useful for saying that something seems wrong using 错.Tatoeba #13943172 by jan_OkulaJu, translation #5767547 by CK
- 如果你选第四个答案，那就是错的。If you choose the fourth option, that would be wrong.
- 你的说法是错的，事实并非如此。Your statement is wrong, the facts are not like that.
- 我们需要纠正你的错误。We need to correct your mistake.
- 你的答案不对。Your answer is wrong.
- 这不对啊，我确定这样不对。This is not right. I'm sure it's not supposed to be like this.
- 我写错了字。I wrote the wrong character.
- 你的计算方式错了。Your way of calculating is wrong.
- 我把日期弄错了，所以我来晚了。I got the date wrong, so I came late.
- 别再问了，我已经说过了，你一直都弄错了。Don't ask again, I've already said it. You've been getting it wrong all along.
- 78 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Xiaowen and Haoran are checking a math problem together.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen你看，这个答案错了。Nǐ kàn, zhège dá'àn cuò le.Look, this answer is wrong.
- 浩然 Haoran真的吗？哪里错了？Zhēnde ma? Nǎlǐ cuò le?Really? Where is it wrong?
- 晓雯 Xiaowen最后一步算错了。Zuìhòu yī bù suàn cuò le.The last step was calculated wrong.
- 浩然 Haoran对，我写错了。Duì, wǒ xiě cuò le.Right, I wrote it wrong.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 错, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
