間違い
machigai[ma̠t͡ɕiɡa̠i]
The English phrase 'incorrect' can be translated into Japanese as 間違い (machigai).
間違い is a common and versatile word that can be used to express 'incorrect,' 'mistake,' or 'error' in various situations.
Did you know?
- In Japanese culture, directly telling someone 間違いです ('it is incorrect') can be seen as too blunt. People often use softer phrases like 間違いではないでしょうか ('could it be a mistake?') to avoid causing a loss of face.
- The verb stem used in 間違い actually comes from a word that originally meant 'to go through the wrong way'.
- You might hear the phrase 間違い探し (machigai sagashi), which literally means 'mistake searching', but it is the standard term for 'spot the difference' puzzles.
Examples in context
- 間違いを訂正する必要があります。There is a need to correct the mistake.
- 誤りを発見しました。I have discovered an error.
- それは違うよ。That's incorrect.
- この計算は間違いです。Kono keisan wa machigai desu.This calculation is incorrect.
- 間違いを見つけてください。Machigai o mitsukete kudasai.Please find the mistake/error.
- それは明らかな間違いだ。Sore wa akiraka na machigai da.That is an obvious error.
Example conversation
Two students are checking their homework answers together.
- 陽太 Yotaこの答えは間違いかな？Kono kotae wa machigai kana?Is this answer incorrect?
- 美咲 Misakiうん、ちょっと間違いがあるよ。Un, chotto machigai ga aru yo.Yeah, there is a small mistake.
- 陽太 Yotaどこが間違いなの？Doko ga machigai nano?Where is the error?
- 美咲 Misakiここだよ、陽太くん。Koko da yo, Youta-kun.It's right here, Yota.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 間違い, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 間違い, CC BY-SA 4.0.
