Result Complements 错 (cuò) and 对 (duì) – Correctness

Pattern

• Verb + 错 + 了
• Verb + 对 + 了
• Verb + 错 + Object

Usage

• 错 (cuò) and 对 (duì) function as a polar pair of result complements assessing correctness.
• 错 means “erroneously / wrong”, indicating a mistake was made during the action.
• 对 means “correctly / right”, indicating accurate execution.
• They pair flexibly with communicative, academic, and practical verbs such as 写 (write), 说 (speak), 做 (do), 听 (hear), and 回答 (answer).

Examples

1. 1

   对不起,我说错了。

   Duìbuqǐ, wǒ shuō cuò le.

   I am sorry, I misspoke.

2. 2

   你写错了一个字。

   Nǐ xiě cuò le yí ge zì.

   You wrote one character wrong.

3. 3

   这个问题你回答对了。

   Zhège wèntí nǐ huídá duì le.

   You answered this question correctly.