mistake

Compared meaning: something done wrong (noun).

比较义项：错误（名词）。

• error

  More formal and precise; used for something factually or technically wrong, such as in calculations, writing, or machines; carries no sense of blame.

  更正式、更精确，多指事实或技术上的错误，例如计算、写作或机器方面的问题；不带有责怪的意味。

  The software crashed because of a coding error in the update.

  软件因为更新中的一个编码错误而崩溃了。

• mistake 本词

  The everyday, general word for doing something wrong; used for actions, decisions, or judgments, especially while learning; usually not too serious.

  最常用、最普遍的说法，指做错某事，用于行为、决定或判断，尤其是在学习的过程中；通常语气不算严重。

  Everyone makes mistakes when they're first learning to drive a car.

  刚开始学开车时，每个人都会犯错误。

• fault

  Focuses on who is responsible or to blame for something bad, rather than on the error itself; often used in the pattern 'someone's fault'.

  重点在于该为某件坏事负责或受责怪的人，而不是错误本身；常用于“某人的过错”这种说法中。

  It wasn't my fault that we missed the flight because the traffic was terrible.

  我们没赶上航班不是我的过错，是因为交通太堵了。

All three mean something done wrong. Error is formal and precise, for something factually or technically wrong. Mistake is the general word for wrong actions or judgment. Fault focuses on who is to blame, not the error. Fault can mean a flaw; not compared here.

这三个词在“错误”这个意义上很接近，但语气和场合不同：error 较为正式、客观，常用于技术或事实上的错误；mistake 是最常用、最中性的说法，指行为或判断上的差错；fault 则强调该为这件坏事负责或受责怪的是谁，语气更重。这里不比较 fault 的“缺点”或“故障”（如机器故障）等其他意义。

Compared meaning: a wrong understanding of something (noun).

比较义项：对某事物的错误理解（名词）。

• mistake 本词

  A general word for a wrong understanding of a fact or situation; it need not involve communication between people. Common in the fixed phrase 'make the mistake of doing something'.

  泛指对某个事实或情况的错误理解，不一定涉及人与人之间的沟通。常用于固定搭配“make the mistake of doing something”（犯……的错误）。

  He made the mistake of thinking the store was open on Sundays.

  他犯了一个错误，误以为那家商店周日营业。

• misunderstanding

  Implies a failure to correctly understand what someone said or meant, usually between two people; often used to explain a disagreement without assigning blame.

  指未能正确理解某人所说或所指的意思，通常发生在人与人之间；常用来解释分歧，且不带指责意味。

  There was a misunderstanding about who should pay the bill.

  关于该由谁付账，双方产生了误会。

Both mean a wrong understanding of something. Mistake is general, about a fact, without needing communication. Misunderstanding is a failure to understand what someone meant, between two people, without blame. Mistake can mean a wrong action, and misunderstanding a small disagreement; not compared here.

这两个词都表示对某事的错误理解，但misunderstanding更强调因沟通不畅而误解了某人所说或所指的意思，常用于人与人之间，且带有为分歧开脱、不指责任何一方的语气；mistake则更泛指对事实或情况的错误认识，不一定涉及沟通。这里不比较mistake作“行为或判断上的错误”“错误的看法”等其他义项，也不比较misunderstanding作“（轻微的）争执、分歧”的义项。