错过 cuòguò to miss (train, opportunity etc)
How to remember 错过: 错 mistake + 过 to cross = to miss (train, opportunity etc).
Characters
How it is used
- To miss something that then becomes unavailable - a train, a deadline, a chance: 错过机会 (miss an opportunity), 错过末班车 (miss the last bus).
- Different from 迟到 (chídào, to be late) - 迟到 just means arriving after the expected time, while 错过 means the thing is now gone entirely.
- Often used with regret: 别错过 (don't miss out), a common phrase in ads and encouragement.
- Everyday spoken and written usage.
Example sentences
- 机会错过了。 Jīhuì cuòguò le.The chance is gone.
- 我错过了很多。 Wǒ cuòguò le hěnduō.I missed a lot.
- 不要错过公车。 Búyào cuòguò gōngchē.Don't miss the bus.