The word 过错 is formed by combining two characters, each contributing a layer of meaning to create a unified concept. The first character, 过 (guò), fundamentally conveys the idea of "passing by" or "crossing a line", which extends metaphorically to mean "transgression" or "fault". The second character, 错 (cuò), carries the core meaning of "mistake" or "something incorrect". When paired, they create a compound where the sense of a wrongful action (过) merges with the state of being incorrect (错), resulting in the comprehensive meaning of a "blameworthy error" or "culpable mistake", emphasizing that the fault lies in a specific misstep that has been committed.