错过了...

You usually place the object you missed right after the phrase. If you missed the bus, say 错过了公交车. If you missed a great sale, say 错过了打折. It’s simple, direct, and carries a hint of regret. You can add 可惜 (what a pity) before it to sound more dramatic.

Use it when you're venting to friends about traffic. Use it when you're apologizing to a boss for a missed call. It’s perfect for those 'oops' moments in life. It also works beautifully in romantic contexts. Think of those movie scenes where the lead realizes they missed their chance at love.

Don't use it for physical objects you dropped or lost. If you dropped your keys, that's not 错过. Don't use it for 'missing' a person in the sense of longing for them. For that, you need 想念. Using 错过 implies a missed encounter, not a broken heart from distance.

In Chinese culture, there's a deep fascination with 缘分 (fated coincidence). 错过 is the tragic opposite of that fate. Many popular Mandopop songs are built entirely around this phrase. It reflects a philosophy that timing is just as important as effort. If you miss it, it might just be 'the will of heaven.'

You'll often hear 别错过 which means 'don't miss out!' This is the bread and butter of Chinese marketing. Another one is 擦肩而过, which is more poetic. It describes two people brushing shoulders but still missing each other. Use that one if you want to sound like a novelist.