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March 24, 2026
不错(不錯)búcuò(bu2cuo4)
不错 (bù cuò) is an affirmative expression meaning 'correct,' 'right,' or 'not bad.' It is commonly used in informal contexts to praise something or to confirm that something is satisfactory or acceptable.
Frequency#217DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, showing modesty is important, so saying 不错 instead of something stronger like 'excellent' reflects humility while still expressing satisfaction.
Memory Tip
Think of 不 (bù) as a 'no' and 错 (cuò) as 'wrong.' When you combine them, you get 'not wrong' or 'correct.' Imagine a thumbs-up gesture to remember that it signifies something positive.
Meanings of 不错
búcuò(bu2cuo4)
1correct
2right
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 不错
不错Simplified
不錯Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L2ElementaryTOCFLL2YCTL3HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 不错
Podcast: 不错
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AI Study Notes for 不错
Quick Contrast
不错 (bùcuò) vs 可以 (kěyǐ) — use 不错 when expressing that something is good or satisfactory, while 可以 emphasizes permission or capability.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 不 (bù) as a 'no' and 错 (cuò) as 'wrong.' When you combine them, you get 'not wrong' or 'correct.' Imagine a thumbs-up gesture to remember that it signifies something positive.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 不错 with just 'good' (好, hǎo), as 不错 often implies a moderate level of approval rather than strong enthusiasm. It's informal, so avoid using it in formal writing or speeches.
HSK Study Tips
Though 不错 may not be an explicit HSK word, it is relevant at HSK 2 levels where learners encounter basic adjectives. Focus on using it in conversational contexts to express approval.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, showing modesty is important, so saying 不错 instead of something stronger like 'excellent' reflects humility while still expressing satisfaction.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 不错 with 好, thinking they are interchangeable. For instance, saying '这部电影不错' (This movie is good) is correct, but saying '这部电影好' can sound overly enthusiastic in the same context.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 不错
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Cultural Notes for 不错
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, showing modesty is important, so saying 不错 instead of something stronger like 'excellent' reflects humility while still expressing satisfaction.
Frequently Asked Questions about 不错
Yes, you can use 不错 to describe a person's skills or qualities, meaning they are good or competent.
不错 is informal and should be used in casual conversations rather than formal situations.
不错 implies something is satisfactory, while 好 can suggest something is good or excellent.
