mistake
gb/mɪstˈeɪk/ us/mɪstˈeɪk/
A2
English
~ 1900
hiba, tévedés, összetéveszt, valakit valakinek néz
NOUN
A2
1
Usage pattern:
make [a/an] mistake
I made a mistake in my calculations.
Hibát követtem el a számításaimban.
It was a big mistake to trust him.
Nagy hiba volt megbízni benne.
She admitted her mistake and apologized.
That was an honest mistake, nothing serious.
We learn from our mistakes.
Learner examples
I made a mistake in my homework.
Hibát követtem el a házi feladatomban.
It was a mistake to be late.
Hiba volt elkésni.
He said sorry for his mistake.
We all make mistakes sometimes.
She learned from her mistake.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'mistake' with 'fault'. 'Fault' means responsibility for something bad, while 'mistake' is the wrong action itself.
Meaning
an incorrect action or decision
Collocations
make a mistake
|big mistake
|honest mistake
|admit a mistake
|learn from a mistake
Synonyms
error (More formal and often used in technical or official contexts.)
Antonyms
success (Represents a correct or favorable outcome, opposite of a mistake.)
Themes
daily life
|work
|education
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Something you do or think that is not correct.
An action, decision, or judgment that is wrong or based on a misunderstanding.
VERB
B1
2
Usage pattern:
mistake [someone/something] for [someone/something]
I mistook her for her sister.
Összetévesztettem őt a lánytestvérével.
He was mistaken for a famous actor.
Híres színésznek nézték.
You must have mistaken me for someone else.
They mistook the sound for thunder.
She mistook his kindness for weakness.
Learner examples
I mistook him for my teacher.
Összetévesztettem a tanárommal.
She was mistaken for a movie star.
Filmsztárnak nézték.
You mistook me for my brother.
He mistook the noise for music.
They mistook the dog for a wolf.
Common mistake:
Learners may forget to use 'for' after 'mistake' in this meaning.
Meaning
to wrongly identify something
Collocations
mistake identity
|mistake someone for someone else
Synonyms
confuse (More general; can refer to mixing up ideas, facts, or people.)
Antonyms
recognize (Means to correctly identify someone or something.)
Themes
daily life
|perception
|core_vocabulary
|communication
Definition
To think wrongly that a person or thing is another person or thing.
To incorrectly think that someone or something is someone or something else.
Grammar
Dictionary form
mistake
IPA
GB/mɪstˈeɪk/
US/mɪstˈeɪk/
Syllables & stress
mis - take (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (take)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: mistake
- Plural: mistakes
Verb
- Base: mistake
- 3rd Person Singular: mistakes
- Present Participle: mistaking
- Past: mistook
- Past Participle: mistaken
Word family
Forms
mistakes
noun
mistaking
verb
mistook
verb
mistaken
verb
Core family
mistakenly
adverb
Negative and opposite forms
unmistakable
adjective C1
unmistakably
adverb C1
Highlights
- Irregular past: mistook Verb
- Irregular past participle: mistaken Verb
Expressions
by mistake
1/bˈaɪ mɪstˈeɪk/
fixed phrase
do unintentionally or accidentally
To do something without meaning to do it.
Examples
- I sent the email to the wrong person by mistake.
- He took my keys by mistake.
honest mistake
1/ˈɑnɪst mɪstˈeɪk/
fixed phrase
error without bad intentions
A wrong action done without wanting to cause harm.
Examples
- It was an honest mistake; I truly thought the meeting was tomorrow.
- She made an honest mistake when filling out the form.
make a mistake
1/mˈeɪk ə mɪstˈeɪk/
fixed phrase
do something incorrectly by accident
To do something in a wrong way without meaning to.
Examples
- Everyone makes a mistake sometimes, so don't worry about it.
- I made a mistake in the report and had to fix it.
mistake for
1/mɪstˈeɪk fɚ/
fixed phrase
wrongly identify as another
To think wrongly that one person or thing is another.
Examples
- I mistook him for his twin brother.
- She was often mistaken for a celebrity.