間違っていた
machigatte ita
The Japanese phrase for "I was wrong" is 間違っていた (machigatte ita).
How do you pronounce it?
machigatte ita
Did you know?
- The word 間違い for 'mistake' shares its root with the verb 間違う, which historically meant to 'lose one's way' or 'stray'.
- If you use the phrase to admit a mistake to a superior, you should follow it with a bow. In Japanese culture, the verbal admission of being wrong is often considered incomplete without the accompanying physical gesture of humility.
- In casual conversation, you might hear someone say 違った (chigatta) instead of the full phrase. While it technically means 'it was different', in many contexts it is the natural way to say 'I was wrong' or 'that's not right'.
Examples in context
- 計算が間違っていた。Keisan ga machigatte ita.The calculation was wrong.
- 自分の考えが間違っていた。Jibun no kangae ga machigatte ita.My way of thinking was wrong.
- 地図の読み方が間違っていた。Chizu no yomikata ga machigatte ita.The way I read the map was wrong.
Example conversation
Kenta and Himari are discussing a mistake in a recipe.
- 健太 Kenta材料の量が間違っていた。Zairyo no ryo ga machigatte ita.The amount of ingredients was wrong.
- 陽葵 Himari健太くん、気づいてよかったね。Kenta-kun, kizuite yokatta ne.Kenta, I'm glad you noticed.
- 健太 Kenta作り方が間違っていたみたいだ。Tsukurikata ga machigatte ita mitai da.It seems the way I made it was wrong.
- 陽葵 Himari次は大丈夫だよ。Tsugi wa daijobu da yo.It will be fine next time.
