wui6 co3 ji3會錯意会错意
Jyutpingwui6 co3 ji3
Yalewuih cho yi
Definition
To misunderstand someone's meaning or intention.
colloquialcommunicationpeople
How it's used
This phrase specifically targets the act of misinterpreting someone's intent or underlying message rather than just a factual error. It is frequently used to soften the blow when correcting someone or admitting a mistake, often paired with particles like 𠻹 or 喇 to express a sudden realization or mild embarrassment. It implies a mismatch between what was said and how it was perceived, rather than a simple failure to hear or understand the literal words.
Examples
Did you misunderstand him? He didn't mean that at all.
I'm afraid of misunderstanding, so I'll ask for clarification.
Related words
Common phrases
really misunderstood the meaning
don't get the wrong idea
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 誤會, but 誤會 is a broader term for a misunderstanding or conflict between people. 會錯意 is more precise, focusing specifically on the cognitive process of misinterpreting a message or signal.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
