違う
chigau[t͡ɕiɡa̠ɯ̟]
In Japanese, the English phrase "different" is expressed as 違う (chigau).
違う is used to mean something is not the same, but depending on the context, it can also mean to be wrong or to differ. You may also encounter the synonym 変わる, which means "to change" or the noun 違い, which means "difference".
Meaning: not the same (adj)
Which one should you use?
異なる is a formal and straightforward verb for being different or differing, while 違いがある is a formal phrase used when you want to emphasize the presence of a difference. In casual conversation, you might hear 違っている to express that something is different.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb 違う can be conjugated into several forms: the past tense is 違った (was different or was wrong), the negative form is 違わない (is not different or is not wrong) and the polite form is 違います (is different or is wrong).
How do you pronounce it?
chigau
What mistakes should you avoid?
Be careful not to confuse 違う with 別の. If you want to say "a different one" (for example, "I want a different one"), using 別の is more natural than using 違う.
Did you know?
- In Japanese culture, saying 違います (it is different) is a common, polite way to say 'no' or 'that is wrong' without using the blunt word for 'no'.
- The word 違う originally combined the concepts of a 'road' and 'crossing', literally suggesting paths that intersect or diverge.
- When Japanese speakers want to avoid sounding too confrontational, they often extend 違います into a questioning tone to soften the correction.
Examples in context
- 僕らは違う。We're different.This sentence is useful for showing how to say 'We're different' using 違う.Tatoeba #7928633 by Ninja, translation #2107341 by CK
- 何か違うの？Is something different?This sentence is useful for asking 'Is something different?' using 違う.Tatoeba #8740129 by bunbuku, translation #2064646 by CK
- 彼は以前とは違う。He's different than he used to be.This sentence is useful for describing how someone 'is different than they used to be' using 違う.Tatoeba #110172 by bunbuku, translation #2805877 by CK
- その二つの計画は完全に異なります。Those two plans are completely different.
- 北海道と沖縄の気候には大きな違いがあります。There is a significant difference in climate between Hokkaido and Okinawa.
- これと全く違うアイデアを持っています。I have a completely different idea from this one.
- 彼の考え方は少し私たちと違っています。His way of thinking is a bit different from ours.
- 62 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Misaki and Ren are looking at two similar-looking products in a store.
- 美咲 Misakiこの二つは、形が違うね。Kono futatsu wa, katachi ga chigau ne.These two have different shapes, don't they?
- 蓮 Ren本当だ。色が違うよ。Hontou da. Iro ga chigau yo.You're right. The colors are different.
- 美咲 Misakiデザインも少し違うみたい。Dezain mo sukoshi chigau mitai.It looks like the designs are a bit different, too.
- 蓮 Ren全然違うものだね。Zenzen chigau mono da ne.They are completely different things.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “different” translations and entries 違う, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 違う, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
