shīwù: 失误 - Mistake, Error, Lapse, Fault

• Keywords: shiwu Chinese, 失误 meaning, Chinese word for mistake, Chinese word for error, how to say my bad in Chinese, shīwù pinyin, fault in Chinese, lapse in judgment, difference between 失误 and 错误, HSK 5 vocabulary.
• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese word 失误 (shīwù), which translates to a “mistake,” “error,” or “lapse.” This page breaks down its meaning, cultural context, and practical use in sports, work, and daily life. Discover the crucial difference between a 失误 (shīwù) (a slip-up or fumble) and a 错误 (cuòwù) (a more fundamental error), a key nuance for any Chinese learner. With over 10 example sentences, you'll master how to talk about making a mistake in a natural, authentic way.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): shīwù
• Part of Speech: Noun, Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: A mistake, error, or fault, especially one made due to carelessness or a momentary lapse in skill.
• In a Nutshell: Think of 失误 (shīwù) as an “oops,” “a slip-up,” or “my bad.” It's the kind of mistake you make when you generally know how to do something correctly but fail in the execution. It's not about being fundamentally wrong; it's about a temporary failure. Imagine a professional pianist hitting a wrong note during a performance or a soccer player missing an easy goal—that's a perfect 失误.

• 失 (shī): This character's primary meaning is “to lose,” “to miss,” or “to fail.” Think of it as letting something slip through your fingers.
• 误 (wù): This character means “mistake,” “error,” or “by mistake.” The left part (言) is the radical for “speech,” suggesting an error in communication or thought.
• Combined Meaning: The characters literally combine to mean “to lose through error.” This powerfully conveys the idea of a failure or loss that happens because of a specific, momentary mistake or lapse in concentration.

• In Chinese culture, where maintaining social harmony and “face” (面子 - miànzi) is crucial, the choice of words for admitting fault is very important. Calling something a 失误 (shīwù) is a “soft” way to take responsibility. It implies, “I am a capable person, but I had a momentary lapse.” This protects one's own face and the face of others by framing the failure as a minor, correctable slip-up rather than a fundamental flaw in one's ability or character.
• Comparison to Western Culture: This contrasts with the broad English word “mistake.” In English, saying “I made a mistake” can range from “I made a typo” to “I made a huge error in judgment.” In Chinese, 失误 (shīwù) is much closer to the English concepts of a “blunder,” a “slip-up,” or a “fumble.” It's a performance error. For a deeper error in judgment or knowledge (e.g., “Marrying him was a mistake”), one would use the stronger word 错误 (cuòwù). Admitting a 失误 is tactical and humble; admitting a 错误 is a more serious confession.

This is one of the most common contexts for 失误. It's used constantly by commentators and athletes to describe fumbles, missed shots, and unforced errors.

• “The goalkeeper's lapse cost them the game.”
• “She made a small error during her routine but still won.”

失误 is used for minor, operational errors like making a typo in a document, sending an email to the wrong person, or miscalculating a simple number. It's an everyday term for a correctable fuck-up. For serious negligence or a major strategic blunder, a more severe term would be used.

• “There's a small error in this report, please fix it.”

Informally, you can use 失误 to mean “my bad” or “oops.” It's a lighthearted way to admit a small fault.

• “Ah, I brought the wrong book. My bad.” (哎呀，我带错书了，失误失误。)

• Example 1:
  • 守门员的一次失误导致球队输掉了比赛。
  • Pinyin: Shǒuményuán de yī cì shīwù dǎozhì qiúduì shū diàole bǐsài.
  • English: The goalkeeper's one error led to the team losing the match.
  • Analysis: A classic example from sports. The 失误 here is a specific action (or lack of action) that had a clear negative consequence.
• Example 2:
  • 这次工作上的失误是我的责任，我会承担后果。
  • Pinyin: Zhè cì gōngzuò shàng de shīwù shì wǒ de zérèn, wǒ huì chéngdān hòuguǒ.
  • English: This mistake at work is my responsibility, and I will bear the consequences.
  • Analysis: This is a formal way to take responsibility in a professional setting. Using 失误 softens the blow, implying it was a lapse rather than incompetence.
• Example 3:
  • 不好意思，我失误了，把盐当成糖了。
  • Pinyin: Bù hǎoyìsi, wǒ shīwù le, bǎ yán dàngchéng táng le.
  • English: Sorry, I messed up and mistook the salt for sugar.
  • Analysis: Here, 失误 is used as a verb. This is a perfect example of a daily life “oops” moment.
• Example 4:
  • 由于判断失误，我们错过了最好的投资机会。
  • Pinyin: Yóuyú pànduàn shīwù, wǒmen cuòguòle zuì hǎo de tóuzī jīhuì.
  • English: Due to a lapse in judgment, we missed the best investment opportunity.
  • Analysis: This shows 失误 can describe a mental process, not just a physical action. The focus is on a misjudgment at a specific moment.
• Example 5:
  • 每个人都会有失误的时候，别太自责了。
  • Pinyin: Měi gè rén dōu huì yǒu shīwù de shíhòu, bié tài zìzé le.
  • English: Everyone makes mistakes sometimes, don't blame yourself too much.
  • Analysis: A common comforting phrase. It frames mistakes as normal, temporary lapses that happen to everyone.
• Example 6:
  • 报告里有几个小的打印失误，我已经改过来了。
  • Pinyin: Bàogào lǐ yǒu jǐ ge xiǎo de dǎyìn shīwù, wǒ yǐjīng gǎi guòlái le.
  • English: There were a few small printing errors in the report; I've already corrected them.
  • Analysis: Highlights that 失误 is often used for minor, easily fixable problems.
• Example 7:
  • 他在关键时刻出现致命失误。
  • Pinyin: Tā zài guānjiàn shíkè chūxiàn zhìmìng shīwù.
  • English: He made a fatal error at the critical moment.
  • Analysis: Although often minor, a 失误 can have huge consequences, as indicated by the adjective “fatal” (致命).
• Example 8:
  • 哎呀，失误，失误！我忘了今天是你的生日。
  • Pinyin: Āiyā, shīwù, shīwù! Wǒ wàngle jīntiān shì nǐ de shēngrì.
  • English: Oh no, my bad, my bad! I forgot today was your birthday.
  • Analysis: Repeating 失误 makes it more informal and apologetic, like saying “oops, oops!” in English.
• Example 9:
  • 我们必须从过去的失误中吸取教训。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen bìxū cóng guòqù de shīwù zhōng xīqǔ jiàoxùn.
  • English: We must learn from our past mistakes.
  • Analysis: A more formal and reflective use of the term, common in business or political speeches.
• Example 10:
  • 这次操作没有失误，非常成功。
  • Pinyin: Zhè cì cāozuò méiyǒu shīwù, fēicháng chénggōng.
  • English: There were no errors in this operation; it was very successful.
  • Analysis: A simple sentence showing the negative form, emphasizing perfection and a lack of slip-ups.

The most critical nuance for a learner is the difference between 失误 (shīwù) and 错误 (cuòwù). Misusing them can change the severity and meaning of your statement.

• 失误 (shīwù): A Mistake in Performance/Execution.
  • Focus: A slip-up, a fumble, an oversight, a lapse in concentration.
  • Cause: Carelessness, lack of focus, momentary failure of a skill you possess.
  • Example: A basketball player missing a free throw. (He knows how, but failed in the moment). → 这是个失误.
• 错误 (cuòwù): A Mistake in Fact/Judgment/Morality.
  • Focus: Being wrong, incorrect, mistaken.
  • Cause: Lack of knowledge, flawed reasoning, a morally wrong choice.
  • Example: Believing that 2+2=5. (This is factually incorrect). → 这是个错误.

Common Pitfall for English Speakers: Do not use 失误 (shīwù) for fundamental errors of judgment or fact.

• Incorrect: It was a 失误 to trust that liar. (他是个骗子，相信他是一个失误。)
  • Why it's wrong: Trusting a liar is an error in judgment, a fundamental mistake about someone's character. It's not a simple “slip-up.”
• Correct: It was a mistake to trust that liar. (他是个骗子，相信他是一个错误。)

In short:

• If you mean “slip-up” or “fumble” → use 失误 (shīwù).
• If you mean “incorrect” or “wrong” → use 错误 (cuòwù).

• 错误 (cuòwù) - The most important related term. A more serious error that is factually or morally wrong.
• 过失 (guòshī) - A fault, negligence, or error. More formal than 失误 and often used in legal or official contexts.
• 疏忽 (shūhu) - An oversight, negligence, or carelessness. It specifically emphasizes that the mistake was caused by a lack of attention.
• 犯错 (fàncuò) - A verb phrase meaning “to make a mistake” or “to commit an error.” It's a general term that can encompass both a 失误 and a 错误.
• 搞砸 (gǎozá) - Colloquial/slang for “to screw up,” “to botch,” or “to mess up completely.” Much more informal and stronger than 失误.
• 毛病 (máobìng) - A fault, bad habit, or defect. Can describe a recurring small problem or flaw in a person or machine.
• 不好意思 (bùhǎoyìsi) - A common phrase used to apologize for a small 失误. It means “excuse me,” “sorry,” or “my bad.”
• 面子 (miànzi) - The cultural concept of “face” or social prestige. Admitting a 失误 instead of a 错误 is a way to save face.