失误

• Pinyin: shī wù
• Hanzi breakdown: 失 = 矢 (arrow) + 丿; 误 = 讠(speech) + 吴 (Wu)

Meaning

Mistake; error; slip-up; to make an error.

Refers to unintentional mistakes or errors, often in performance, work, or judgment. Implies the error was accidental rather than deliberate. Common in sports (失误 - turnover/error), work contexts, and general situations. Less severe than 错误.

Examples

1. 这次比赛他出现了几次关键失误，导致球队输掉比赛。 He made several critical errors in this match, causing the team to lose.
2. 工作中谁都会有失误，重要的是如何改正。 Everyone makes mistakes at work — what matters is how you correct them.
3. 由于医生的失误，手术出了问题。 Due to the doctor's error, the surgery went wrong.

Usage Guide

Context: sports, work, professional

Tone: factual

Do Say

• 我承认这是我的失误。(I admit this was my mistake.)
• 尽量减少失误。(Try to minimize errors.)

Don't Say

• 我故意失误 — contradictory; 失误 implies unintentional errors, not deliberate ones

Origin & History

Compound of 失 (lose/miss) + 误 (error/mistake), meaning to lose accuracy or make an error.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal