误 (wù) - mistake, error & to miss, to delay

误Tone 4

wù ｜ 9 strokes ｜ radical:

万响

误 · wù

mistake, error;

to miss, to delay;

accidentally, mistakenly

mistake, errorto miss, to delayaccidentally, mistakenly

Usage highlights

mistakemisunderstanddelaymisleadmiss an opportunitymisdiagnose

Synonyms

  • 错— wrong, mistake
  • 谬— error, false
  • 差— error, difference

Antonyms

  • 正— correct, right
  • 准— accurate, precise
  • 对— correct, right

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • I made a mistake in the calculation (计算错误).
  • Don't misunderstand my meaning (误解我的意思).
  • The train was delayed (火车误点).
  • He was accidentally injured (他误伤了).

Collocations

  • mistake(错误)
  • misunderstand(误解)
  • delay(误点)
  • mislead(误导)
  • miss an opportunity(误机)
  • misdiagnose(误诊)

Idioms

  • To misunderstand someone's good intentions(误入歧途)
  • To mislead the public(误人子弟)
  • To delay important matters(误国误民)
  • A single word can lead to a thousand-mile error(一字误千里)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In Chinese culture, avoiding mistakes is highly valued in both personal conduct and professional work.
  • The character appears in many compound words related to errors, misunderstandings and delays.
  • In traditional thought, carefulness is emphasized to prevent '误事' (delaying important matters).

FAQ