Meaning and Usage
The verb '실수하다' means 'to make a mistake' or 'to err.' It is commonly used in everyday conversation to describe errors in actions, calculations, speech, or decisions.
Common Contexts
You will often hear '실수하다' when talking about mistakes in exams, work tasks, or daily life situations. It can refer to both minor slips and more significant errors.
Politeness and Register
'실수하다' is neutral and appropriate in both formal and informal contexts. To be more polite, you can add polite endings like '-세요' or use it in honorific forms.
Common Collocations
- 실수하다 + 에서 (e.g., 계산에서 실수하다): to make a mistake in something specific
- 실수하지 않다: to avoid making mistakes
- 큰 실수: a big mistake
- 작은 실수: a small mistake
Tips for Learners
Learners sometimes confuse '실수하다' with '틀리다' (to be wrong). '실수하다' emphasizes the action of making a mistake, often accidental, while '틀리다' focuses on something being incorrect or wrong. Use '실수하다' when you want to express that someone made an error unintentionally.