错过

• Pinyin: cuò guò
• Hanzi breakdown: 错 = 钅(metal) + 昔 (past), wrong; 过 = 辶 (walk) + 寸 (inch), to pass

Meaning

To miss; to let slip. To fail to catch or take advantage of something.

Used when one fails to be present for an event, misses a chance, or lets an opportunity pass by. Can refer to missing buses, deadlines, opportunities, or even people. Often implies regret or the irreversibility of the missed moment.

Examples

1. 我今天早上睡过头了，错过了第一班地铁。 I overslept this morning and missed the first subway.
2. 这个机会千载难逢，千万不要错过。 This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity — don't miss it.
3. 他错过了女儿的毕业典礼，心里很愧疚。 He missed his daughter's graduation ceremony and felt very guilty.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, opportunity, regret

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 不要错过这次促销活动。(Don't miss this promotional event.)
• 我差点错过了飞机。(I almost missed my flight.)

Don't Say

• '错过'强调因某种原因未能赶上或把握，不同于'失去'(lose) (错过 emphasizes failing to catch or seize due to circumstances — different from 失去 which means to lose something you had)

Origin & History

Combines 错 (wrong/miss) with 过 (to pass), meaning to wrongly let something pass by.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal