V+錯

Do It Wrongly

Level 2Sounds Like co3

In Cantonese, attaching 錯 (co3) directly to the right of a verb forms a resultative compound meaning 'to do [V] wrongly' or 'to mis-[V]'. For instance, 睇 (tai2 - to look/read) becomes 睇錯 (tai2 co3 - to misread or mistake visually).

How It Works

Function and Meaning
The complement 錯 (co3) acts as a resultative complement (結果補語). It combines directly with action or cognitive verbs to signal an unintended, mistaken outcome stemming from an action.

Key Structures

  • With Direct Objects: The object follows the combined verb phrase.
    Verb + 錯 + Object
    Example: 揀錯答案 (gaan2 co3 daap3 on3 - choose the wrong answer)
  • With Aspect Markers: Suffixes such as 咗 (zo2) attach AFTER 錯 (co3), never inside the verb phrase.
    Verb + 錯 + 咗
    Example: 睇錯咗 (tai2 co3 zo2 - misread)
  • Past Negation: Place 冇 (mou5) before the verb.
    冇 + Verb + 錯
    Example: 我冇睇錯 (ngo5 mou5 tai2 co3 - I didn't misread it)

Important Nuances

  • Recognizing Mistaking vs. Admitting Fault: The phrase 認錯 (jing6 co3) often means 'to admit a fault' when used alone, but it also means 'to mistake / misidentify' when paired with a person or thing (e.g. 認錯人 jing6 co3 jan4 for mistaking a person, or 認錯字 jing6 co3 zi6 for misidentifying a character). As with other verbs, the object can be dropped if implied by context.
  • Negation vs. 唔錯: Note that 唔錯 (m4 co3) as an independent adjective means 'not bad' or 'pretty good'. To say you did not make a mistake in the past, use 冇 (mou5) before the verb instead of putting 唔 (m4) directly in front of 錯.

Examples (4)

  1. 我打錯電話添！

    Oops, I dialled the wrong number!

    Word by Word: I dial wrong phone [particle]!

    打 (daa2) means to dial, and attaching 錯 (co3) indicates dialing the wrong target.

  2. 你認錯人喇，我唔係佢。

    You mistook me for someone else; I'm not them.

    Word by Word: You recognize wrong person [particle], I not be third-person.

    認錯人 (jing6 co3 jan4) means to mistake one person for another.

  3. 呢條問題你揀錯咗答案。

    You chose the wrong answer for this question.

    Word by Word: This [classifier] question you choose wrong [aspect] answer.

    The aspect marker 咗 (zo2) attaches after 錯 (co3), showing the completion of choosing wrongly.

  4. 我哋走錯路，要轉返頭。

    We took the wrong road, we need to turn back.

    Word by Word: We walk wrong road, need turn back head.

    走錯路 (zau2 co3 lou6) means to walk or drive down the wrong path.

Common Mistakes

  • Inserting an aspect marker between the verb and 錯 (co3).

    我揀咗錯答案。
    我揀錯咗答案。

    Aspect markers like 咗 (zo2) must follow the entire resultative compound (Verb + 錯 + 咗).

  • Using 唔 (m4) instead of 冇 (mou5) to negate a past mistake.

    我唔睇錯。
    我冇睇錯。

    Past actions and mistakes are negated with 冇 (mou5). Standalone 唔錯 (m4 co3) means 'not bad'.

  • Placing the direct object between the verb and 錯 (co3).

    我打電話錯。
    我打錯電話。

    The complement 錯 (co3) binds directly to the verb stem, so the direct object must come after 錯.

How It Connects

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V+錯Level 2Do It Wrongly

Learn This First

The pattern 'V+錯' is a resultative verb compound where the verb is followed by the result 'wrongly'. To understand this, learners should be familiar with how Cantonese verbs are modified by particles and the general structure of resultative compounds.

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Words in This Pattern

错