过失 guòshī error
error; fault; (law) negligence; delinquency
How to remember 过失: 过 to cross + 失 to lose = error.
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How it is used
- A fault / negligence - an unintended wrongdoing, often with legal weight - 过失致人死亡 (guòshī zhì rén sǐwáng) causing death by negligence.
- Legal term for negligence (对比 intentional 故意); also general "fault/error" one is responsible for (工作中的过失).
- 过失 stresses culpable-but-unintentional error; 过错 (guòcuò) is close but broader/less legalistic; 错误 (cuòwù) is any mistake, no blame implied.