cuòguò: 错过 - To Miss (an opportunity, a person), To Let Slip By

• Keywords: 错过, cuòguò, miss an opportunity in Chinese, how to say miss a chance in Chinese, miss a person Chinese, regret in Chinese, cuo guo, 错过 vs 没赶上, Chinese grammar miss, let slip by.
• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese verb `错过 (cuòguò)`, which means much more than just missing a bus. This page explores how `错过` is used to express the regret of letting a valuable opportunity, a special person, or a crucial moment slip by. Understand the difference between `错过` and `没赶上 (méi gǎnshàng)`, its deep connection to the cultural concept of `缘分 (yuánfèn)`, and how to use it correctly in everyday conversation to talk about missed chances and what could have been.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): cuòguò
• Part of Speech: Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: To miss, to fail to catch, or to let an opportunity or person pass by, often with a sense of regret.
• In a Nutshell: `错过` is the word for looking back and realizing you've let something important pass you by. It's not just about a simple scheduling error; it’s about the feeling of loss for something you never got to have. Think of the “should have, could have, would have” feeling—that's the core emotion of `错过`. It's used for everything from a missed train that made you late for an important meeting, to a missed job opportunity, to the person you never had the courage to talk to.

• 错 (cuò): This character means “mistake,” “error,” or “wrong.” Its original form depicted intertwining or crossing, which can lead to confusion or errors. Think of it as a path that has gone astray.
• 过 (guò): This character means “to pass,” “to cross,” or “to go by.” It's used to describe the action of moving past a point in space or time. It can also be a verb particle indicating a past experience.
• Combined Meaning: Together, `错过 (cuòguò)` literally translates to “to pass by in error” or “to mistakenly pass.” This beautifully captures the essence of the word: you didn't just pass something; you passed it by mistake, and now the chance is gone.

`错过` is deeply intertwined with the Chinese cultural concept of `缘分 (yuánfèn)`, which can be described as fate, destiny, or the “binding force” that brings people together. In Western culture, we might talk about “chemistry” or “serendipity,” but `缘分` is a more profound, almost spiritual force that governs relationships. When two people who should have been together fail to connect, a common explanation is that they `错过` each other because their `缘分` wasn't strong enough. This gives the word a heavy, poignant quality, especially in the context of romance. It's a cornerstone of Chinese love stories, songs, and TV dramas, where characters are often tormented by a past `错过`. To compare, the English phrase “a missed connection” is a close parallel but often more literal and less philosophical. You might have a “missed connection” with someone you saw on the subway. `错过`, however, can describe the entire arc of a potential relationship that never was, or a life-changing career path that wasn't taken. It speaks to a sense of irreversible loss and the passive acceptance of fate's role in life's “what ifs.”

`错过` is a common and versatile word used in various situations, from casual conversation to formal writing.

• Opportunities: This is one of the most common uses. It applies to job offers, sales promotions, application deadlines, and investment chances.
  • e.g., “千万别错过这次打折！” (Qiānwàn bié cuòguò zhè cì dǎzhé! - Absolutely do not miss this sale!)
• Transportation and Events: While `没赶上 (méi gǎnshàng)` is more common for simply not arriving in time for a bus or train, `错过` is used when you want to emphasize the consequence of missing it.
  • e.g., “我因为堵车，错过了演唱会的开头。” (Wǒ yīnwèi dǔchē, cuòguòle yǎnchànghuì de kāitóu. - Because of a traffic jam, I missed the beginning of the concert.)
• People and Relationships: This is the most emotional and poignant use of the word. It implies a deep sense of regret and loss.
  • e.g., “我不想因为误会而错过你。” (Wǒ bùxiǎng yīnwèi wùhuì ér cuòguò nǐ. - I don't want to miss out on you because of a misunderstanding.)
• Social Media: You'll often see `错过` in nostalgic posts or captions expressing regret or a “carpe diem” (seize the day) attitude.

• Example 1:
  • 我错过了最后一班回家的火车。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ cuòguòle zuìhòu yī bān huíjiā de huǒchē.
  • English: I missed the last train home.
  • Analysis: A simple, factual use. While you could also say `没赶上 (méi gǎnshàng)`, using `错过` can add a slight emphasis on the negative consequence (i.e., now I'm stuck here).
• Example 2:
  • 他因为犹豫而错过了一个很好的工作机会。
  • Pinyin: Tā yīnwèi yóuyù ér cuòguòle yīgè hěn hǎo de gōngzuò jīhuì.
  • English: He missed a great job opportunity because he hesitated.
  • Analysis: This is a classic example of `错过` for an intangible opportunity. You cannot “not catch” (`没赶上`) an opportunity; you can only “miss” it (`错过`).
• Example 3:
  • 如果你现在不告诉她，你可能会永远错过她。
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ nǐ xiànzài bù gàosù tā, nǐ kěnéng huì yǒngyuǎn cuòguò tā.
  • English: If you don't tell her now, you might miss your chance with her forever.
  • Analysis: This shows the deep emotional weight of `错过` in relationships. The word “forever” (`永远`) amplifies the sense of irreversible loss.
• Example 4:
  • 这个展览太精彩了，你没去看真是错过了！
  • Pinyin: Zhège zhǎnlǎn tài jīngcǎile, nǐ méi qù kàn zhēnshi cuòguòle!
  • English: This exhibition was amazing, you really missed out by not going!
  • Analysis: A common way to express to someone that they “missed out” on a great experience. The tone is informal and friendly.
• Example 5:
  • 我刚才在开会，错过了你的电话。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ gāngcái zài kāihuì, cuòguòle nǐ de diànhuà.
  • English: I was just in a meeting and missed your call.
  • Analysis: A very common, everyday apology. It's softer and more polite than just saying “I didn't answer.”
• Example 6:
  • 人生就是一场不断相遇和错过的旅程。
  • Pinyin: Rénshēng jiùshì yī chǎng bùduàn xiāngyù hé cuòguò de lǚchéng.
  • English: Life is a journey of constantly meeting and missing people.
  • Analysis: This sentence demonstrates the philosophical and abstract use of `错过`. It's a profound statement about the nature of life and relationships.
• Example 7:
  • 我们错过了申请奖学金的截止日期。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen cuòguòle shēnqǐng jiǎngxuéjīn de jiézhǐ rìqī.
  • English: We missed the deadline for the scholarship application.
  • Analysis: A practical and common use in academic or professional contexts. `截止日期 (jiézhǐ rìqī)` means “deadline.”
• Example 8:
  • 他们在同一个城市住了十年，却一次次地错过彼此。
  • Pinyin: Tāmen zài tóng yīgè chéngshì zhùle shí nián, què yīcì cì de cuòguò bǐcǐ.
  • English: They lived in the same city for ten years, yet missed each other time and time again.
  • Analysis: This sentence, often found in stories, perfectly illustrates the connection between `错过` and `缘分 (yuánfèn)`. “Each other” is `彼此 (bǐcǐ)`.
• Example 9:
  • “千万不要错过！” 是最常见的广告语之一。
  • Pinyin: “Qiānwàn bùyào cuòguò!” shì zuì chángjiàn de guǎnggào yǔ zhī yī.
  • English: “Don't miss out!” is one of the most common advertising slogans.
  • Analysis: This shows how `错过` is used in marketing to create a sense of urgency and fear of missing out (FOMO).
• Example 10:
  • 我感觉我们错过了解决这个问题的最佳时机。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ gǎnjué wǒmen cuòguòle jiějué zhège wèntí de zuìjiā shíjī.
  • English: I feel like we missed the best time to solve this problem.
  • Analysis: `错过` can be used with `时机 (shíjī)`, meaning “timing” or “opportune moment.” This highlights missing a critical window of time.

The biggest pitfall for English speakers is confusing `错过` with other words for “miss” or “lose.”

• `错过 (cuòguò)` vs. `没赶上 (méi gǎnshàng)`
  • `没赶上` means “to not catch” something with a schedule, like a bus, train, or flight. It's a physical failure to be on time.
  • `错过` can also be used for transport, but it carries a stronger sense of the consequence or the opportunity that was lost by missing it. You can only `错过` an opportunity, a person, or a sale—you can't `没赶上` them.
  • Example:
    • I didn't run fast enough and didn't catch the bus. → 我没赶上公交车。(Correct, focuses on the action)
    • I missed the bus and was therefore late for my interview. → 我错过了公交车，所以面试迟到了。(Correct, focuses on the missed opportunity/consequence)
• `错过 (cuòguò)` vs. `失去 (shīqù)`
  • `失去` means “to lose” something you previously possessed. You lose your wallet (`失去钱包`), your job (`失去工作`), or a loved one (`失去亲人`).
  • `错过` is about failing to obtain something in the first place. You miss the *chance* to get the job, not the job itself (if you never had it).
  • Incorrect Usage: `我错过了我的钥匙。` (Wǒ cuòguòle wǒ de yàoshi.) - This is wrong. You can't “miss an opportunity” for your keys.
  • Correct Usage: `我弄丢了我的钥匙。` (Wǒ nòng diūle wǒ de yàoshi.) - I lost my keys.

• 遗憾 (yíhàn) - Regret; sorrowful. This is the feeling you have after you `错过` something important.
• 机会 (jīhuì) - Opportunity; chance. This is the very thing that is often `错过`.
• 缘分 (yuánfèn) - Destiny; fate in relationships. The cultural reason often cited for why people `错过` each other.
• 可惜 (kěxī) - It's a pity; what a shame. An adjective or exclamation used to describe a situation where something was `错过`.
• 没赶上 (méi gǎnshàng) - To fail to catch (a bus, train). A more physical and less emotional alternative to `错过` in the context of transportation.
• 失去 (shīqù) - To lose. Contrasts with `错过` as it implies losing something you once had, rather than failing to get it.
• 擦肩而过 (cā jiān ér guò) - “To brush shoulders and pass by.” A beautiful four-character idiom (chengyu) that is the literal and poetic embodiment of `错过`, often used in romantic or fateful contexts.