Definition
误 (wù) is a verb meaning 'to make a mistake in doing something' (e.g., 误拿 'mistakenly take') or 'to delay/miss' (e.g., 误了火车 'miss the train'). Unlike 误会/误解, which mean 'to misunderstand' (a person or situation), 误 focuses on an error in action or timing. It is also distinct from 失误, which is a noun/verb for a specific slip or error in performance.
verb
to mistake (in understanding or action)to mis-to delayto miss (a deadline or scheduled event)
Easily confused
- 吞tūnlook-aliketo swallow (food, pills, emotions)
- 舞wǔsound-alike(noun) dance (as an art form or specific dance)
- 无wúsound-aliketo not have, to lack
- 五wǔsound-alikefive
- 雾wùsound-alikefog, mist
- 勿wùsound-alikedo not (formal, literary, used in signs and written prohibitions)
- 捂wǔsound-aliketo cover (with the hand), e.g., eyes, ears, or mouth
Examples
- 误。Tā wù ná le biérén de shǒujī.He mistakenly took someone else's phone.
- ，误。Yīnwèi xià yǔ, bǐsài wù le yì xiǎoshí.Because of rain, the game was delayed by an hour.
- ，误。Kuài zǒu, bié wù le zuìhòu yì bān chē.Hurry up, don't miss the last bus.
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