错的人
cuò de rén
In Chinese, the phrase "wrong person" is translated as 错的人 (cuò de rén).
This phrase is commonly used in the context of romantic heartbreak to describe a partner who was not the right match.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 错 (wrong/incorrect), 的 (possessive/adjectival particle) and 人 (person).
How do you pronounce it?
cuò de rén
Did you know?
- If you were to say you 'met the wrong person' due to a misunderstanding rather than romance, you would likely use the word 认错 (rèn cuò), which means 'to misidentify' or 'to mistake one person for another'.
- The character 错 also describes missing a train or a target. This gives 错的人 a poetic double meaning of someone who 'missed the mark' of destiny.
- In Chinese pop culture, the concept of the 错的人 is often paired with the idea of 'the right time' 对的时间. A common bittersweet sentiment is that meeting the 错的人 at the 'right time' is a tragedy, but meeting the 'right person' at the 'wrong time' is a fate.
Examples in context
- 对不起，请问我找错人了吗？Excuse me, have I found the wrong person?
- 非常抱歉，我找错人了。I'm very sorry, I've found the wrong person.
- 嘿，抱歉，看来我弄错人了。Hey, sorry, it seems like I've got the wrong person.
- 唉，我搵错人咗。Oops, I've found the wrong person.
- 我爱错了人I loved the wrong person.
- 我不该爱上错的人。Wǒ bù gāi àishàng cuò de rén.I shouldn't have fallen in love with the wrong person.
- 你遇到了错的人。Nǐ yùdàole cuò de rén.You have encountered the wrong person.
Example conversation
Zihan and Junjie are discussing their past relationships.
- 梓涵 Zihan我以前总是在爱错的人。Wǒ yǐqián zǒngshì zài ài cuò de rén.I was always loving the wrong person in the past.
- 俊杰 Junjie没关系，现在你明白了。Méiguānxì, xiànzài nǐ míngbai le.It's okay, you understand now.
- 梓涵 Zihan但我还是觉得很遗憾。Dàn wǒ háishì juéde hěn yíhàn.But I still feel it's a pity.
- 俊杰 Junjie那是为了让你遇到对的人。Nà shì wèile ràng nǐ yùdào duì de rén.That was to let you meet the right person.
