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误差 (wù chā) — (measurement) error; deviation; inaccuracy

Definition

A technical, quantitative term for measurement error or numerical deviation — not a human mistake (use 错误 for that). Pairs with 偏差 for systematic bias.

noun
(measurement) errordeviationinaccuracy
Measure word · 个

Examples

  • 误差。
    Zhè ge shí yàn de wù chā zài yǔn xǔ fàn wéi zhī nèi.
    The error in this experiment is within the allowable range.
  • 误差。
    Yí qì lǎo huà huì dǎo zhì wù chā biàn dà.
    Aging instruments can cause the error to increase.
  • 误差。
    Jì suàn shí xū yào bǎ wù chā kǎo lǜ jìn qù.
    When calculating, you need to take the error into account.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

误wùmistake
差chàdeviation

误 and 差 both refer to deviation or mistake, so the word names an inaccuracy.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 誤; 误 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
言言yánspeech
Sound part声符shēngfú
吳
吳wú誤wù
Same sound today

The traditional form 誤 uses 言 (speech) for meaning and 吳 for sound, giving the idea of speaking an error; the simplified 误 is a later shorthand.

Open 误 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

  • 來來láiwheat
  • 𠂇𠂇𠂇left hand

差 pairs 來 (wheat) with 𠂇 (left hand), showing wheat rubbed in a hand to remove its hull.

Open 差 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9HSK 2.0 Level 6Units & Measurement

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