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خطأ (adjective)

A1 adjective #2,000 most common 7 min read

خطأ (adjective)

khata' Top 2,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips خطأ (adjective) in 30 Seconds

Explanation خطأ (adjective) in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'خطأ' is taught as the basic word for 'wrong' or 'incorrect'. Students learn it in the context of simple classroom interactions, such as 'True or False' (صح أو خطأ) questions. It is used to identify simple mistakes in spelling or basic math. The focus is on recognizing the word and using it in short sentences like 'هذا خطأ' (This is wrong). At this stage, the learner doesn't need to worry about complex grammar, just the basic meaning of inaccuracy.

At A2, learners begin to use 'خطأ' in more varied contexts, such as describing daily mistakes. They learn phrases like 'بالخطأ' (by mistake) to explain why something happened accidentally, like sending an email to the wrong person. They also start to distinguish between 'خطأ' and 'غلط' in different social settings. The grammar becomes slightly more involved, as they use it with nouns: 'خطأ كبير' (a big mistake) or 'خطأ صغير' (a small mistake).

At the B1 level, 'خطأ' is used to discuss opinions and more abstract concepts. Learners can explain why something is 'خطأ' using supporting sentences. They encounter the word in news articles and formal instructions. They also start using the verb form 'أخطأ' (to err/make a mistake) and understand the active participle 'مخطئ' (wrong/mistaken) when referring to people. The focus shifts to accuracy in using the word within more complex sentence structures.

At B2, the word 'خطأ' appears in technical, academic, and professional contexts. Learners understand specific collocations like 'خطأ مطبعي' (typo) or 'خطأ فني' (technical error). They can participate in debates where they must point out 'أخطاء منطقية' (logical errors) in an argument. The distinction between 'خطأ' (error) and 'خطيئة' (sin) becomes clear, and they can use the word in a variety of registers, from formal reports to casual discussions.

At the C1 level, learners explore the deep linguistic and philosophical nuances of 'خطأ'. They study its use in classical literature and legal texts, where an 'error' can have significant consequences. They understand the rhetorical use of the word and can identify subtle 'أخطاء لغوية' (linguistic errors) in complex texts. They are also familiar with proverbs and idioms involving the root 'خ-ط-أ' and can use them naturally in high-level discourse.

At C2, mastery of 'خطأ' involves an intuitive understanding of its semantic field. The learner can use the word to discuss complex theories of truth and error in philosophy or science. They can distinguish between various types of errors (e.g., systematic vs. random) in a research context using Arabic. They have a complete grasp of the word's etymology and its evolution in the Arabic language, allowing them to use it with the precision of a native scholar.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

خطأ (adjective) in 30 Seconds

The word 'خطأ' means wrong, incorrect, or error in Arabic.
It is used as a predicate to label statements or answers as false.
It originates from a root meaning to miss a target or aim.
It is more formal than the common colloquial word 'غلط'.

The word خطأ (Kha-ta') is a fundamental term in the Arabic language, primarily functioning as a noun that describes an error, a mistake, or an incorrect state, but it is frequently employed in a predicative sense to act as the adjective 'wrong' or 'incorrect'. At its core, the term originates from the root خ-ط-أ, which pertains to missing a target or deviating from the intended path. In an educational or formal context, when a teacher says 'هذا خطأ' (This is wrong), they are identifying a deviation from the truth or a standard rule. Unlike informal synonyms, خطأ carries a weight of objective inaccuracy. It is the antithesis of صواب (correctness) and حقيقة (truth). Understanding this word requires looking at its application across various domains: from simple arithmetic errors to complex logical fallacies. In the realm of CEFR A1, learners encounter it as a binary opposite to 'صح' (correct). However, as one progresses, the nuances of خطأ expand to include unintentional mistakes, contrasting with عمد (intentionality). The word is versatile, appearing in legal, scientific, and daily conversational frameworks. It is essential to distinguish it from its colloquial counterpart 'غلط', which, while similar, often lacks the formal precision of خطأ. In philosophical discourse, خطأ represents the gap between perception and reality. When used as an adjective in English translation, it describes a statement, an answer, or a belief that does not align with facts. The phonetic structure, starting with the heavy 'Kh' and ending with the glottal stop 'Hamza', gives the word a definitive and sharp sound, mirroring the clarity of the correction it provides.

Semantic Range: Covers everything from a typo in a letter to a moral lapse or a mathematical miscalculation.

الإجابة على هذا السؤال خطأ تماماً.

Etymological Root: Derived from the root Kha-Ta-A, meaning to miss the mark or err unintentionally.

من الـ خطأ الاعتقاد بأن الأرض مسطحة.

Grammatical Function: Commonly used as a 'Khabar' (predicate) in a nominal sentence to describe a subject as incorrect.

هذا التصرف خطأ تربوي.

صح أم خطأ؟

كل ابن آدم خطاء (related form).

Using خطأ correctly requires an understanding of Arabic sentence structure. Unlike English adjectives that often precede the noun, خطأ is most frequently used as a predicate. For example, 'The answer is wrong' translates to 'الجواب خطأ'. Here, 'الجواب' is the subject and 'خطأ' is the predicate. It is important to note that خطأ is masculine and singular in its base form, and while it can be used as an adjective (e.g., 'معلومة خطأ'), it is often more natural to use it as a noun in a genitive construction or a descriptive sentence. In formal Modern Standard Arabic (MSA), you will see it in multiple-choice questions as 'صح أو خطأ' (True or False). When you want to say 'You are wrong', you say 'أنت على خطأ' (literally: You are upon error) or simply 'أنت مخطئ' (using the active participle). The word خطأ is also used in the phrase 'عن طريق الخطأ' (by mistake), which is essential for explaining accidents. In technical writing, such as computer science or mathematics, خطأ refers to a specific error code or calculation discrepancy. For learners, the key is to avoid over-complicating its grammar; treat it as a label for anything that isn't right. Whether it's a social faux pas, a grammatical slip, or a factual error, خطأ is your go-to term. It does not change based on the gender of the subject when used as a predicate in many contexts, though 'مخطئ' (the person who is wrong) does. Mastery of this word involves knowing when to use it versus 'غلط'. While 'غلط' is common in dialects (Ammiya), خطأ is the hallmark of professional and academic Arabic. Using it correctly signals a higher level of linguistic competence.

Sentence Pattern 1: [Subject] + خطأ. (e.g., This idea is wrong - هذه الفكرة خطأ).

لقد أرسلت الرسالة بالـ خطأ.

Sentence Pattern 2: من الـ [خطأ] أن + [Verb]. (e.g., It is wrong to lie - من الخطأ أن تكذب).

هناك خطأ في النظام.

Common Collocation: خطأ فادح (A grave/huge mistake).

ارتكب اللاعب خطأ كبيراً.

The word خطأ is ubiquitous in Arabic-speaking environments, ranging from the highly formal to the semi-formal. In educational settings, it is perhaps the most common word after 'صح' (correct). Teachers use it to correct students' work, and it appears on every exam paper. In the media, news anchors use it to describe 'خطأ مطبعي' (a typographical error) or 'خطأ فني' (a technical error) during broadcasts. If you are watching a legal drama, you will hear lawyers arguing about a 'خطأ في الإجراءات' (an error in procedures). In the workplace, especially in fields like engineering or accounting, خطأ is used to identify discrepancies in data or design. It's also common in religious and ethical discussions, where 'خطأ' might refer to a moral failing, though 'خطيئة' (sin) is a more specific term derived from the same root. In daily life, if you dial the wrong phone number, the person on the other end might say 'الرقم خطأ' (The number is wrong). In sports, a referee calls a 'خطأ' (foul/error) when a player breaks the rules. Even in technology, your computer or smartphone interface in Arabic will display 'حدث خطأ' (An error occurred) when a program crashes. Hearing this word often triggers a sense of correction or caution. It is a word that demands attention because it signifies that something needs to be fixed or reconsidered. For a learner, recognizing خطأ in these various contexts is crucial for navigating Arabic society effectively. It is not just a word for 'wrong' in a test; it is a word for 'wrong' in life, law, and logic.

عذراً، الرقم خطأ.

حدث خطأ غير متوقع في النظام.

هذا خطأ لا يمكن غفرانه.

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make with خطأ is confusing it with the word 'غلط' (Ghalat). While they are often interchangeable in casual speech, 'غلط' is more colloquial and sometimes considered less 'pure' in formal MSA. Another common error is using خطأ as a verb. In English, we can say 'I wronged him', but in Arabic, you cannot use خطأ directly as a verb; instead, you would use 'أخطأ' (to make a mistake) or 'ظلم' (to wrong someone). Learners also struggle with the preposition 'على'. To say 'You are wrong', the correct idiomatic expression is 'أنت على خطأ', not 'أنت خطأ' (which would mean 'You are an error'). Additionally, there is confusion between 'خطأ' (mistake/wrong) and 'خطيئة' (sin). While they share the same root, 'خطيئة' is strictly for moral and religious transgressions, whereas خطأ is for factual or unintentional errors. Spelling is another hurdle; the 'Hamza' at the end of خطأ is written on an 'Alif' because the preceding letter has a 'Fatha'. Some learners mistakenly write it on the line or on a 'Ya'. Finally, remember that خطأ is a noun that acts like an adjective; don't try to make it feminine (like 'خطأة') when describing a feminine noun in a predicate position—keep it as 'خطأ'. For example, 'المعلومة خطأ' is perfectly correct.

لا تقل: أنت خطأ. قل: أنت على خطأ.

الفرق بين الـ خطأ والـ غلط هو مستوى الفصاحة.

Understanding خطأ is easier when you compare it to its synonyms and related terms. The most direct synonym is غلط (Ghalat), which is widely used in dialects and means the same thing but is slightly less formal. Then there is باطل (Baatil), which means 'false' or 'void', often used in legal or religious contexts to describe something that has no basis in truth or law. Another related word is زائف (Zaa'if), meaning 'fake' or 'counterfeit', usually applied to physical objects like money or abstract concepts like feelings. غير صحيح (Ghayr Sahih) is a very common way to say 'incorrect' and is literally 'not correct'. It is often used as a softer or more polite alternative to خطأ. In terms of verbs, أخطأ (Akhta'a) means 'to make a mistake', while غالط (Ghaalata) means 'to deceive' or 'to argue based on falsehoods'. On the opposite side, we have صواب (Sawaab) and صحيح (Sahih), which represent correctness and truth. By learning these distinctions, a student can choose the most precise word for their context, whether they are correcting a math problem, debating a legal point, or describing a counterfeit product.

خطأ vs. غلط: خطأ is formal (MSA); غلط is informal/dialectal.

خطأ vs. باطل: خطأ is an error; باطل is something fundamentally false or invalid.

How Formal Is It?

Difficulty Rating

Grammar to Know

Nominal sentences (Mubtada and Khabar)

Prepositional phrases with 'Bi-'

The Hamza at the end of words

Adjective-Noun agreement

The root and pattern system

Examples by Level

هذا الجواب خطأ.

This answer is wrong.

Simple nominal sentence.

صح أم خطأ؟

True or false?

Common question format.

الرقم خطأ.

The number is wrong.

Subject + Predicate.

أنا آسف، هذا خطأ.

I am sorry, this is a mistake.

Using 'this' (هذا) as subject.

هذه الكلمة خطأ.

This word is wrong.

Feminine subject, masculine predicate 'خطأ'.

لا، هذا خطأ.

No, this is wrong.

Negative response.

واحد زائد واحد ثلاثة؟ خطأ!

One plus one is three? Wrong!

Exclamatory use.

كتابة اسمي خطأ.

The spelling of my name is wrong.

Masdar as subject.

فعلت ذلك بالخطأ.

I did that by mistake.

Prepositional phrase 'بالخطأ'.

هناك خطأ في الكتاب.

There is a mistake in the book.

Using 'هناك' (there is).

أنت على خطأ يا صديقي.

You are wrong, my friend.

Idiomatic 'على خطأ'.

هذا خطأ بسيط.

This is a simple mistake.

Adjective 'بسيط' modifying 'خطأ'.

وجدت خطأ في الفاتورة.

I found a mistake in the bill.

Verb 'وجد' + object.

من الخطأ أن تنام متأخراً.

It is wrong to sleep late.

Structure 'من الخطأ أن'.

أرسلت الرسالة إلى الشخص الخطأ.

I sent the message to the wrong person.

Adjective use of 'الخطأ'.

صحح الخطأ في الجملة.

Correct the mistake in the sentence.

Imperative verb 'صحح'.

أعتقد أنك أخطأت في العنوان.

I think you made a mistake in the address.

Using the verb 'أخطأ'.

الاعتراف بالخطأ فضيلة.

Admitting a mistake is a virtue.

Proverbial structure.

هذا خطأ شائع بين الطلاب.

This is a common mistake among students.

Collocation 'خطأ شائع'.

لا تكرر هذا الخطأ مرة أخرى.

Do not repeat this mistake again.

Negative imperative.

التقرير يحتوي على عدة أخطاء.

The report contains several errors.

Plural 'أخطاء'.

كيف يمكننا معالجة هذا الخطأ؟

How can we address this error?

Question with 'كيف'.

كان الخطأ نتيجة للإهمال.

The mistake was a result of negligence.

Using 'كان' (was).

أنت مخطئ تماماً في هذا الأمر.

You are completely mistaken in this matter.

Active participle 'مخطئ'.

وقع في خطأ فادح كلفه الكثير.

He made a grave mistake that cost him a lot.

Collocation 'خطأ فادح'.

يجب تجنب الأخطاء الإملائية في المقال.

Spelling mistakes must be avoided in the article.

Passive construction 'يجب تجنب'.

الخطأ الفني أدى إلى انقطاع البث.

The technical error led to a broadcast interruption.

Technical term 'خطأ فني'.

هناك فرق بين الخطأ غير المقصود والتعمد.

There is a difference between an unintentional error and intent.

Complex comparison.

اعتذر المدير عن الخطأ الذي حدث.

The manager apologized for the mistake that occurred.

Relative clause 'الذي حدث'.

نحن نتعلم من أخطائنا دائماً.

We always learn from our mistakes.

Reflective sentence.

اكتشف العلماء خطأ في النظرية القديمة.

Scientists discovered an error in the old theory.

Scientific context.

لا تحملني مسؤولية خطأ لم أرتكبه.

Do not hold me responsible for a mistake I didn't commit.

Complex negation.

استند الحكم إلى إجراءات شابتها أخطاء قانونية.

The judgment was based on procedures marred by legal errors.

Legal terminology.

من الخطأ الفادح تجاهل التغيرات المناخية.

It is a grave mistake to ignore climate change.

Formal emphasis.

تتضمن المخطوطة أخطاء تاريخية جسيمة.

The manuscript contains serious historical errors.

Academic context.

لا يمكن تبرير هذا الخطأ تحت أي ظرف.

This error cannot be justified under any circumstances.

Modal 'لا يمكن'.

أدى الخطأ في التقدير إلى خسائر مالية.

The error in judgment led to financial losses.

Abstract noun phrase.

كل ابن آدم خطاء، وخير الخطائين التوابون.

Every son of Adam is a sinner/errant, and the best of them are those who repent.

Classical Hadith quote.

الخطأ المطبعي قد يغير معنى الجملة تماماً.

A typo might completely change the meaning of the sentence.

Linguistic analysis.

ينبغي تحليل الأخطاء المنهجية في البحث.

Systematic errors in the research should be analyzed.

Methodological context.

تكمن المعضلة في خطأ جوهري في بنية الاستدلال.

The dilemma lies in a fundamental error in the structure of reasoning.

Philosophical discourse.

إن تفنيد هذا الخطأ يتطلب أدلة دامغة.

Refuting this error requires irrefutable evidence.

Formal refutation.

يعد هذا الخطأ نقطة تحول في تاريخ الفلسفة.

This error is considered a turning point in the history of philosophy.

Historical analysis.

لا يعدو كونه خطأً عابراً في مسيرة طويلة.

It is nothing more than a passing error in a long journey.

Literary expression.

الخطأ هنا ليس مجرد هفوة، بل هو انحراف عقدي.

The error here is not just a slip, but a doctrinal deviation.

Theological nuance.

تحملت المؤسسة تبعات الخطأ الاستراتيجي.

The institution bore the consequences of the strategic error.

Corporate/Political context.

إن تراكم الأخطاء الصغيرة يؤدي إلى كارثة.

The accumulation of small errors leads to a disaster.

Causal reasoning.

يجب التمييز بين الخطأ المعرفي والخطأ الأخلاقي.

A distinction must be made between cognitive error and moral error.

Epistemological context.

Common Collocations

خطأ مطبعي

خطأ فادح

خطأ فني

خطأ طبي

خطأ شائع

خطأ منطقي

خطأ لغوي

خطأ غير مقصود

عن طريق الخطأ

تصحيح الخطأ

Common Phrases

صح أو خطأ

أنت على خطأ

ارتكب خطأ

وقع في خطأ

هذا خطأ تماماً

من الخطأ أن...

بالخطأ

خطأ في العنوان

لا يوجد خطأ

اعتذر عن الخطأ

Often Confused With

خطأ (adjective) vs خطيئة

Khati'a is a moral sin; Kha-ta' is a factual error.

خطأ (adjective) vs خط

Khatt means 'line' or 'handwriting'; Kha-ta' means 'wrong'.

خطأ (adjective) vs خطوة

Khatwa means 'a step'.

Idioms & Expressions

"الاعتراف بالخطأ فضيلة"

"كل ابن آدم خطاء"

"خير الخطائين التوابون"

"خطأ الشاطر بألف"

"وقع في شر أعماله (related to error)"

"جانبه الصواب (he was wrong)"

"ضل الطريق"

"أخطأ الهدف"

"الحق يعلو ولا يعلى عليه (truth over error)"

"ما ضاع حق وراءه مطالب"

Easily Confused

خطأ (adjective) vs

Sentence Patterns

How to Use It

nuance

'خطأ' is objective, while 'غلط' can be more subjective or informal.

prepositions

Usually used with 'في' (in) or 'على' (upon).

Common Mistakes

Saying 'أنت خطأ' instead of 'أنت على خطأ'.
Writing the Hamza on the line instead of on the Alif.
Using 'خطأ' as a verb directly.
Confusing 'خطأ' with 'خطيئة' in a non-religious context.
Trying to make 'خطأ' feminine as 'خطأة'.

Tips

Predicate Use

When 'خطأ' follows a noun to describe it, it doesn't need to change gender.

Formal vs Informal

Stick to 'خطأ' in writing and 'غلط' in speaking with friends.

The Hamza

Make sure to stop the breath at the end of the word for the Hamza.

Politeness

Saying 'Ghayr Sahih' is often softer than saying 'Kha-ta'.

Plurals

Remember the plural 'Akhtaa' for formal reports.

Context Clues

If you hear 'Sah', expect 'Kha-ta' to follow in a binary choice.

Root Kh-T-A

Learn the root to unlock words like 'Akhta'a' and 'Khati'a'.

By Mistake

Memorize 'Bil-Kha-ta' as a single unit for 'by accident'.

Alif Hamza

The Hamza sits on the Alif because of the Fatha on the 'Ta'.

Binary

In logic, 'خطأ' is the opposite of 'Sawaab'.

Memorize It

Word Origin

Semitic root Kh-T-A, originally referring to missing a target in archery.

Cultural Context

When correcting someone, it's often more polite to say 'Ghayr Sahih' (not correct) than the blunt 'Kha-ta' (wrong).

The root is used in the Quran to distinguish between intentional sins and unintentional mistakes.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Conversation Starters

"هل تعتقد أن هذا القرار خطأ؟"

"كيف نصحح هذا الخطأ؟"

"هل سبق وأن ارتكبت خطأً مضحكاً؟"

"ماذا تفعل عندما تكتشف أنك على خطأ؟"

"هل 'صح أو خطأ' هو نوعك المفضل من الأسئلة؟"

Journal Prompts

اكتب عن خطأ تعلمت منه درساً كبيراً.

هل من السهل عليك الاعتراف بالخطأ؟ لماذا؟

صف يوماً سار فيه كل شيء 'بالخطأ'.

لماذا يخاف الناس من الوقوع في الخطأ؟

اكتب عن الفرق بين الخطأ والخطيئة في رأيك.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

It is technically a noun (masdar) but is used predicatively to mean 'wrong' or 'incorrect', functioning like an adjective in English.

You can say 'ارتكبت خطأً' or use the verb 'أخطأتُ'.

The plural is 'أخطاء' (Akhtaa').

It's better to say 'أنت على خطأ' or 'أنت مخطئ'.

They mean the same, but 'خطأ' is more formal and used in MSA, while 'غلط' is common in dialects.

Kha - Ta - Alif with Hamza on top (خ - ط - أ).

Both are used, but 'أو' (or) is more common for 'True or False' questions.

It means 'by mistake' or 'accidentally'.

Yes, the root appears many times referring to both mistakes and sins.

As a predicate, it usually stays masculine: 'هذه الإجابة خطأ'.