fàncuò: 犯错 - To Make a Mistake, To Err

• Keywords: fàncuò, fan cuo, 犯错, what does fàncuò mean, how to say make a mistake in Chinese, Chinese verb for error, 犯错 vs 错误, to commit a fault, admitting mistakes in Chinese culture
• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese verb 犯错 (fàncuò), which means “to make a mistake” or “to err.” This guide breaks down the characters, explores the cultural significance of admitting fault in China, and provides over 10 practical example sentences. Understand the crucial difference between the verb 犯错 (fàncuò) and the noun 错误 (cuòwù) to avoid common learner pitfalls and speak more naturally.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): fàncuò
• Part of Speech: Verb (Verb-Object Compound)
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: To make a mistake, commit an error, or do something wrong.
• In a Nutshell: 犯错 (fàncuò) is the go-to verb in Chinese for the *action* of making a mistake. It's not the mistake itself, but the act of committing it. Whether you've dialed the wrong number, made a calculation error at work, or said the wrong thing to a friend, this is the word you'll use. It's a fundamental term that expresses a universal human experience.

• 犯 (fàn): This character means “to violate,” “to offend,” or “to commit.” The left-side radical (犭) is the “dog” radical, often associated with animalistic or aggressive actions. You can picture a dog overstepping a boundary it shouldn't cross. This character is also used in serious terms like `犯罪 (fànzuì)`, to commit a crime.
• 错 (cuò): This character means “wrong,” “mistaken,” or “error.” The metal radical (钅) on the left hints at its ancient origin related to inlaying metal decorations, a process where one could easily make a mistake.
• Together, 犯 (fàn) + 错 (cuò) literally means “to commit an error,” perfectly capturing the meaning of actively making a mistake.

While making mistakes is a universal human experience, the way they are handled can be culturally specific. In China, the act of 犯错 (fàncuò) is often closely tied to the concepts of social harmony and 面子 (miànzi), or “face”/social standing. In many Western cultures, especially in business, there's a growing mantra of “fail forward” or “it's okay to make mistakes as long as you learn.” While learning from mistakes is also valued in Chinese culture, the social cost of an error, particularly a public one, can be higher. Making a mistake might not only cause you to lose face, but it could also cause your superior, your team, or your family to lose face. Therefore, how one addresses a mistake is crucial. A sincere and prompt apology (道歉 (dàoqiàn)) is often expected, not just to fix the problem but to restore social harmony and show respect to those affected. Blaming others or making excuses is viewed very negatively. The focus is on taking responsibility, showing remorse, and demonstrating a clear plan to correct the error, thus preserving relationships.

犯错 (fàncuò) is an extremely common term used in all aspects of life.

• Informal / Daily Life: Used among friends and family for minor slip-ups. It can be said lightly. For example: “Oops, I made a mistake and bought the wrong kind of soy sauce.”
• Formal / Workplace: In a professional or academic setting, 犯错 (fàncuò) takes on a more serious tone. It signifies a genuine error that likely has consequences and needs to be addressed. Admitting you 犯错 to a boss is a significant act of taking responsibility.
• Moral Context: When discussing behavior or choices, 犯错 (fàncuò) can refer to a moral transgression or a significant life mistake. The severity is understood entirely from the context.

• Example 1:
  • 每个人都会犯错。
  • Pinyin: Měi ge rén dōu huì fàncuò.
  • English: Everyone makes mistakes.
  • Analysis: A common and comforting phrase. `都 (dōu)` emphasizes “all” or “every,” and `会 (huì)` here indicates a natural tendency or likelihood.
• Example 2:
  • 对不起，我犯错了。
  • Pinyin: Duìbuqǐ, wǒ fàncuò le.
  • English: I'm sorry, I made a mistake.
  • Analysis: This is a direct and common way to admit fault. The particle `了 (le)` indicates the completion of the action (the mistake has been made).
• Example 3:
  • 他因为犯了一个严重的错，被公司开除了。
  • Pinyin: Tā yīnwèi fàn le yí ge yánzhòng de cuò, bèi gōngsī kāichú le.
  • English: He was fired by the company because he made a serious mistake.
  • Analysis: Here, the verb-object compound `犯错` is split to include more detail. `一个 (yí ge)` is a classifier for the mistake, and `严重 (yánzhòng)` means “serious.” This structure is very common.
• Example 4:
  • 别害怕犯错，犯错是学习的一部分。
  • Pinyin: Bié hàipà fàncuò, fàncuò shì xuéxí de yí bùfen.
  • English: Don't be afraid of making mistakes; making mistakes is part of learning.
  • Analysis: A great sentence for learners. It shows 犯错 (fàncuò) used as the subject of the second clause.
• Example 5:
  • 如果你犯错了，就要勇敢地承认。
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ nǐ fàncuò le, jiù yào yǒnggǎn de chéngrèn.
  • English: If you make a mistake, you should bravely admit it.
  • Analysis: This sentence highlights a cultural value. `勇敢地 (yǒnggǎn de)` means “bravely,” and `承认 (chéngrèn)` means “to admit” or “to acknowledge.”
• Example 6:
  • 我不小心犯了个小错，请原谅。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ bù xiǎoxīn fàn le ge xiǎo cuò, qǐng yuánliàng.
  • English: I accidentally made a small mistake, please forgive me.
  • Analysis: `不小心 (bù xiǎoxīn)` means “carelessly” or “accidentally.” `小错 (xiǎo cuò)` is a “small mistake.” This is a polite way to downplay a minor error.
• Example 7:
  • 我们不能在同一个问题上重复犯错。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen bù néng zài tóng yí ge wèntí shàng chóngfù fàncuò.
  • English: We can't repeatedly make the same mistake on the same issue.
  • Analysis: `重复 (chóngfù)` means “to repeat.” This sentence is common in project meetings or team discussions.
• Example 8:
  • 这是你第几次犯错了？
  • Pinyin: Zhè shì nǐ dì jǐ cì fàncuò le?
  • English: How many times have you made this mistake? (Literally: This is your which-numbered time making a mistake?)
  • Analysis: A sentence a frustrated parent or boss might use. `第 (dì)` creates an ordinal number, and `次 (cì)` is the measure word for “times.”
• Example 9:
  • 年轻人犯错，上帝都会原谅。
  • Pinyin: Niánqīngrén fàncuò, Shàngdì dōu huì yuánliàng.
  • English: When young people make mistakes, even God will forgive them.
  • Analysis: A popular saying that shows tolerance for mistakes made by the young and inexperienced. It's the Chinese equivalent of “youth is wasted on the young.”
• Example 10:
  • 在工作中，我们应该尽量避免犯错。
  • Pinyin: Zài gōngzuò zhōng, wǒmen yīnggāi jǐnliàng bìmiǎn fàncuò.
  • English: At work, we should do our best to avoid making mistakes.
  • Analysis: `尽量 (jǐnliàng)` means “to the best of one's ability” and `避免 (bìmiǎn)` means “to avoid.” This shows how 犯错 functions as the object of another verb.

The most common point of confusion for English speakers is the difference between 犯错 (fàncuò) and 错误 (cuòwù).

• `犯错 (fàncuò)` is a VERB. It's the action of “making a mistake.”
• `错误 (cuòwù)` is a NOUN or ADJECTIVE. It is “a mistake/an error” (noun) or “wrong/mistaken” (adjective).

Think of it like this: You 犯错 (verb), and the result is a 错误 (noun).

• Correct: 我犯了一个错误。 (Wǒ fàn le yí ge cuòwù.) - I made a mistake.
  • (Here, `犯` is the verb and `错误` is the noun/object.)
• Correct: 这是一个错误。 (Zhè shì yí ge cuòwù.) - This is a mistake.
• Correct: 你的答案是错误的。 (Nǐ de dá'àn shì cuòwù de.) - Your answer is wrong.
  • (Here, `错误` is an adjective.)
• INCORRECT: 我错误了。 (Wǒ cuòwù le.)
  • (This is wrong because `错误` is not a verb. You need the action word `犯`: 我犯错了。)

Another related term is `搞错了 (gǎocuòle)`. While it also means making a mistake, it often implies confusion, mixing things up, or misunderstanding.

• `搞错了 (gǎocuòle)`: “Oops, I grabbed the wrong keys.” (啊，我拿错钥匙了 - more common than using 搞错), or “Sorry, I misremembered your name.” (对不起，我把你的名字搞错了). It's generally more casual than 犯错.
• `犯错 (fàncuò)`: Can be used for any mistake, including more serious errors of judgment or action. “Investing in that company was a huge mistake” would use 犯错, not 搞错了.

• 错误 (cuòwù) - The noun for “mistake” or “error,” the result of the action `犯错`.
• 过错 (guòcuò) - A “fault” or “transgression,” usually more serious than `错误` and often implying a moral dimension.
• 失误 (shīwù) - A “lapse” or “error in execution.” Often used for mistakes in sports, performances, or technical tasks where a momentary slip-up occurred.
• 搞错了 (gǎocuòle) - To get something wrong due to confusion or mixing things up; often more informal.
• 弄错了 (nòngcuòle) - Nearly identical to `搞错了`; to do something incorrectly by mistake.
• 道歉 (dàoqiàn) - To apologize; the action one should take after realizing they have `犯错`.
• 后悔 (hòuhuǐ) - To regret; the feeling one might have after `犯错`.
• 原谅 (yuánliàng) - To forgive; what you hope others will do after you `犯错`.
• 承认 (chéngrèn) - To admit or acknowledge; what one must do with their mistake.
• 面子 (miànzi) - “Face” or social standing, which can be affected by how one makes and handles mistakes.