méi cuò: 没错 - That's Right, Correct, Exactly

• Keywords: meicuo, 没错, how to say that's right in Chinese, how to agree in Chinese, meaning of meicuo, Chinese for correct, duì vs meicuo, Chinese affirmation, exactly in Chinese, spot on.
• Summary: Discover the true meaning of 没错 (méi cuò), one of the most common and useful phrases for agreeing in Mandarin Chinese. More than just “correct,” 没错 (méi cuò) is how you say “That's right!” or “Exactly!” with confidence and enthusiasm. This guide breaks down its usage, cultural nuances, and how it differs from similar words like 对 (duì), helping you learn how to agree in Chinese like a native speaker.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): méi cuò
• Part of Speech: Interjection, Adjective
• HSK Level: HSK 3
• Concise Definition: Not wrong; that is right; you are correct.
• In a Nutshell: 没错 (méi cuò) literally translates to “not wrong,” but its feeling is much stronger than a simple confirmation. It's an enthusiastic affirmation used when someone says something you wholeheartedly agree with. Think of it as the Chinese equivalent of “You hit the nail on the head!”, “Exactly!”, or “Spot on!”. It carries a positive, confident tone and validates the other person's statement or observation.

• 没 (méi): This character is one of the primary ways to negate verbs in Chinese, meaning “not” or “have not.” It's the “not” in “I have not eaten” (我没吃 - wǒ méi chī).
• 错 (cuò): This character means “wrong,” “mistake,” or “error.” You'll see it in words like 错误 (cuòwù - mistake/error).

When combined, 没 (méi) + 错 (cuò) create a double negative: “not wrong.” In Chinese, as in English, this resolves to a strong positive. It doesn't just mean something is factually correct; it implies that it is so correct that there is no room for error.

While not a deeply philosophical term, 没错 (méi cuò) plays a crucial role in the social dynamics of conversation. Its significance lies in its ability to build rapport and create a sense of shared understanding quickly and effectively. In Western cultures, you might say “That's correct” in a formal setting, and “You got it” or “For sure” among friends. 没错 bridges this gap, being acceptable in most contexts besides the most highly formal. Using it shows that you are not just passively listening, but actively engaged and in agreement. It's a signal of support for the speaker's line of thought. By emphatically confirming someone's point with 没错, you validate their perception and strengthen the conversational bond. It’s a simple but powerful tool for creating smooth, agreeable, and positive interactions.

没错 is an everyday phrase used constantly in spoken Mandarin and informal writing.

• Enthusiastic Agreement: This is its primary function. When a friend states an opinion you share, you can simply reply, “没错！”
• Confirming a Guess: If someone correctly guesses something about you, 没错 is the perfect response. It's more natural and confirmatory than a simple “yes.”
• Conversational Flow: It's often used as a discourse marker to show you're following and agree with what's being said before adding your own thoughts. E.g., “没错, 而且…” (“That's right, and furthermore…”).
• Social Media: You will frequently see 没错 in comment sections on Weibo or Douyin, where users express their agreement with the post or another user's comment.

Its connotation is almost always positive, confident, and supportive. It is informal but not impolite, making it versatile for conversations with friends, colleagues, and acquaintances.

Example 1:

• A: 我觉得这家餐厅是城里最好的。 B: 没错！
• Pinyin: A: Wǒ juéde zhè jiā cāntīng shì chéng lǐ zuì hǎo de. B: Méi cuò!
• English: A: I think this restaurant is the best in town. B: That's right! / Exactly!
• Analysis: A simple, standalone response showing strong, enthusiastic agreement with an opinion.

Example 2:

• 我猜你一定很喜欢看电影，对吗？没错，我每个周末都去。
• Pinyin: Wǒ cāi nǐ yīdìng hěn xǐhuān kàn diànyǐng, duì ma? Méi cuò, wǒ měi ge zhōumò dōu qù.
• English: I guess you must really like watching movies, right? That's right, I go every weekend.
• Analysis: Here, 没错 is used to confirm someone's accurate guess about you. It's friendly and affirming.

Example 3:

• 所以，我们是先去银行，再去超市。没错，计划就是这样。
• Pinyin: Suǒyǐ, wǒmen shì xiān qù yínháng, zài qù chāoshì. Méi cuò, jìhuà jiùshì zhèyàng.
• English: So, we're going to the bank first, then the supermarket. Exactly, that's the plan.
• Analysis: 没错 is used to confirm that a plan or sequence of events has been understood correctly.

Example 4:

• 他这个人工作非常认真。没错，他总是第一个来，最后一个走。
• Pinyin: Tā zhè ge rén gōngzuò fēicháng rènzhēn. Méi cuò, tā zǒngshì dì-yī ge lái, zuìhòu yī ge zǒu.
• English: He is a very conscientious worker. Exactly, he's always the first to arrive and the last to leave.
• Analysis: Used to agree with an assessment of a person's character and then provide supporting evidence.

Example 5:

• A: 这道题的答案是B吗？ B: 没错。
• Pinyin: A: Zhè dào tí de dá'àn shì B ma? B: Méi cuò.
• English: A: Is the answer to this question B? B: Correct.
• Analysis: In this context, 没错 is synonymous with 对 (duì) and is a simple confirmation of a fact.

Example 6:

• 你刚才说的一点儿也没错，我完全同意。
• Pinyin: Nǐ gāngcái shuō de yìdiǎnr yě méi cuò, wǒ wánquán tóngyì.
• English: What you just said is absolutely correct, I completely agree.
• Analysis: This sentence shows an intensified form, 一点儿也没错 (yìdiǎnr yě méi cuò), meaning “not even a little bit wrong.”

Example 7:

• 听你的口音，你是北京人吧？没错！
• Pinyin: Tīng nǐ de kǒuyīn, nǐ shì Běijīng rén ba? Méi cuò!
• English: Listening to your accent, you must be from Beijing, right? You got it!
• Analysis: A classic example of confirming an inference someone has made.

Example 8:

• 对，没错，就是他！我刚才也看到他了。
• Pinyin: Duì, méi cuò, jiùshì tā! Wǒ gāngcái yě kàn dào tā le.
• English: Yes, that's right, that's him! I just saw him too.
• Analysis: This shows how 对 (duì) and 没错 (méi cuò) can be used together for extra emphasis, confirming something with great certainty.

Example 9:

• 这种感觉，没错，就是恋爱了。
• Pinyin: Zhè zhǒng gǎnjué, méi cuò, jiùshì liàn'ài le.
• English: This feeling… that's it… it's love.
• Analysis: 没错 can be used for self-confirmation, as if realizing something with certainty.

Example 10:

• 要成功就必须努力，这个道理没错。
• Pinyin: Yào chénggōng jiù bìxū nǔlì, zhège dàolǐ méi cuò.
• English: If you want to succeed you must work hard; this principle is correct.
• Analysis: Here, 没错 is used as an adjective at the end of a clause to describe a principle or statement as being true.

The #1 Rule: `没错` vs. `对 (duì)` This is the most common point of confusion for learners.

• 对 (duì): Means “correct.” It's a neutral, factual confirmation. It's like a checkmark: ✓.
• 没错 (méi cuò): Means “that's right!” or “exactly!” It's a more personal, enthusiastic agreement that validates the speaker's insight. It's like a checkmark with an exclamation point: ✓!

Example of the nuance:

• Friend 1: “今天星期三。” (Jīntiān xīngqīsān. - Today is Wednesday.)
• You: “对。” (Duì. - Correct.) → This is a neutral confirmation of a fact. Using 没错 here would sound a bit too enthusiastic for a simple fact.
• Friend 2: “我感觉你今天有点累。” (Wǒ gǎnjué nǐ jīntiān yǒudiǎn lèi. - I feel like you're a bit tired today.)
• You: “没错。” (Méi cuò. - You're right / You've noticed.) → This is a perfect use. It confirms their observation and validates their perception.

Common Mistake: Using `没错` for Simple Yes/No Questions Do not use 没错 to answer a question asking for your identity or a simple state of being. Use 是 (shì) in these cases.

• Question: 你是老师吗？ (Nǐ shì lǎoshī ma? - Are you a teacher?)
• Correct Answer: 是。(Shì.)
• Incorrect Answer: 没错。(Méi cuò.) → This sounds unnatural. It's like answering “Are you a teacher?” with “You are not wrong.”

The rule of thumb is that 没错 agrees with a statement, opinion, or observation, not a simple question of fact about yourself.

• 对 (duì) - “Correct.” The most direct synonym, but more neutral and less emphatic than 没错.
• 是的 (shì de) - “Yes, that's it.” Used to confirm something is true, often answering a question that includes 是 (shì).
• 不错 (bú cuò) - “Not bad” or “pretty good.” It uses a similar “not X” structure (不 + 错), but refers to quality or performance, not factual correctness.
• 当然 (dāngrán) - “Of course,” “certainly.” Used when the answer is obvious or to express absolute certainty.
• 就是 (jiùshì) - “Exactly,” “that's it.” Very similar to 没错 and often interchangeable. It can emphasize that the other person has perfectly articulated a thought.
• 正确 (zhèngquè) - “Correct,” “proper.” A more formal and objective term used in academic, technical, or official contexts. You would see this on a test, but rarely in casual conversation.
• 一点儿也没错 (yìdiǎnr yě méi cuò) - “Absolutely correct,” “not wrong in the slightest.” An intensified version for maximum agreement.
• 说得对 (shuō de duì) - “Well said,” “what you said is right.” Specifically agrees with something someone has spoken.