Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
过失(過失)guòshī(guo4shi1)
过失 refers to a fault, error, or negligence, often used in legal contexts. It indicates a mistake made due to carelessness or oversight, leading to an undesirable outcome. Commonly, it is used to discuss personal accountability in both everyday situations and legal matters.
Frequency#6941DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of accountability is significant, especially in communal settings where collective responsibility is emphasized. 过失 is often used in discussions about moral and legal obligations.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person (过) passing by (失) without noticing a big 'faulty' sign. The components '过' (to pass) and '失' (to lose) together symbolize missing an important detail, thus creating a fault or error.
Meanings of 过失
guòshī(guo4shi1)
1defect
2fault
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 过失
过失Simplified
過失Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#6941Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 过失
Podcast: 过失
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 过失
Quick Contrast
错误 (cuòwù) vs 过失 (guòshī): 使用错误时强调明显的错误或失误，而过失则侧重于由于疏忽或不小心造成的失误。
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person (过) passing by (失) without noticing a big 'faulty' sign. The components '过' (to pass) and '失' (to lose) together symbolize missing an important detail, thus creating a fault or error.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 过失 with other terms for error, such as 错误 (cuòwù), which is broader. It is primarily used in formal contexts, especially legal discussions. Be cautious with the tones; mispronouncing 过 (guò) can change its meaning.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 6 word, 过失 connects with other legal terminology and concepts of accountability. Focus on sentence structures that include 过失 to improve understanding of context and usage in discussions of responsibility.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of accountability is significant, especially in communal settings where collective responsibility is emphasized. 过失 is often used in discussions about moral and legal obligations.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is using 过失 interchangeably with 失误 (shīwù), which refers to a blunder rather than negligence. Instead, remember that 过失 implies a level of responsibility for the error.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 过失
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 过失 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 过失 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Grammar Patterns of 过失
过失 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 5 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 3
Complete the Sentence
那些司机必然会受到____杀人的指控。
Those drivers should face an automatic charge of manslaughter.
Example Sentences for 过失 (3)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
那些司机必然会受到过失杀人的指控。
nà xiē sī jī bì rán huì shòu dào guò shī shā rén de zhǐ kòng。
Those drivers should face an automatic charge of manslaughter.
2
她因受到挑衅而过失杀人的有罪答辩被驳回。
tā yīn shòu dào tiāo xìn ér guò shī shā rén de yǒu zuì dá biàn bèi bó huí。
Her plea of guilty to manslaughter through provocation was rejected.
The court made a finding of contributory negligence.
Cultural Notes for 过失
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of accountability is significant, especially in communal settings where collective responsibility is emphasized. 过失 is often used in discussions about moral and legal obligations.
Frequently Asked Questions about 过失
过失 specifically refers to negligence or fault, often in a legal sense, while 错误 is a more general term for any mistake.
Yes, but it is more commonly used in formal or legal contexts, so it's better suited to discussions about responsibility or accountability.
Make sure to use the fourth tone for 过 (guò) and the first tone for 失 (shī) to convey the correct meaning.
