Meanings of 錯
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About 錯
Podcast: 錯
Podcast: 錯
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AI Study Notes for 錯
错误 (cuòwù) vs 错 (cuò): use 错 for general mistakes or incorrectness, while 错误 emphasizes the concept of an error or fault.
Be careful not to confuse 錯 with the character 对 (duì), which means 'correct' or 'right.' This word is generally informal, but it can be used in formal contexts as well. Common collocations include 錯誤 (cuòwù, 'error') and 錯了 (cuò le, 'wrong').
Although 錯 is not part of the HSK levels, it's a useful character for learners to understand common expressions related to mistakes. Focus on its usage in phrases and practice distinguishing it from similar characters.
Learners often mix up 錯 with 應該 (yīnggāi, 'should'), leading to phrases like '我應該錯了' (wǒ yīnggāi cuò le), which is incorrect. The correct phrasing should simply be '我錯了' (wǒ cuò le).
Pronunciation of 錯
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Etymology of 錯
Simplified form of 錯. Phonosemantic compound. 金 represents the meaning and 昔 represents the sound. The character is based on the original meaning "grind stone", which later shifted to "mix", "be in disorder", and "wrong".
Gold 釒 that once was 昔 but is lost
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 錯
Simplified form of 錯. Phonosemantic compound. 金 represents the meaning and 昔 represents the sound. The character is based on the original meaning "grind stone", which later shifted to "mix", "be in disorder", and "wrong".
- 1The giveawayGold 釒 that once was 昔 but is lost
- 2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 錯? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
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Decomposition of 錯
Identify the Components
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How to say error, mistake; incorrect, wrong in Chinese
“error, mistake; incorrect, wrong” in Chinese is錯
The character 錯 (cuò) means 'error' or 'mistake,' and can also describe something as 'incorrect' or 'wrong.' It is commonly used in both written and spoken Mandarin to indicate a failure in accuracy or judgment, such as making a mistake in a calculation or choosing the wrong option.
When to use 錯
Be careful not to confuse 錯 with the character 对 (duì), which means 'correct' or 'right.' This word is generally informal, but it can be used in formal contexts as well. Common collocations include 錯誤 (cuòwù, 'error') and 錯了 (cuò le, 'wrong').
錯 or something close to it
错误 (cuòwù) vs 错 (cuò): use 错 for general mistakes or incorrectness, while 错误 emphasizes the concept of an error or fault.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mix up 錯 with 應該 (yīnggāi, 'should'), leading to phrases like '我應該錯了' (wǒ yīnggāi cuò le), which is incorrect. The correct phrasing should simply be '我錯了' (wǒ cuò le).
Write 錯
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Practice writing 錯 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Word Family of 錯
Compound Meaning
What does 错 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 錯
You can say '我錯了' (wǒ cuò le), meaning 'I was wrong.'
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