誤解
gokai[ɡo̞ka̠i]
The Japanese word for misunderstanding is 誤解 (gokai). Wiktionary also lists 勘違い (kanchigai).
Meaning: mistake (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 誤解 | gokai | [ɡo̞ka̠i] (narrow) |
| 勘違い | kanchigai | [kã̠ɲ̟t͡ɕiɡa̠i] (narrow) |
誤解 refers to a misunderstanding, while 勘違い refers to a mistaken belief or confusion.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 誤解 is composed of 誤 (error/mistake) and 解 (understanding/interpretation). The word 勘違い is composed of 勘 (intuition/guess) and 違い (difference/error), which literally means a 'wrong guess'.
Which one should you use?
勘違い is a more colloquial term used for everyday mistakes, such as a simple lapse in memory, a confusion of facts or a personal misunderstanding of a situation.
How does it change in a sentence?
While 誤解 is primarily a noun, 勘違い is very commonly used as a verb in the form 勘違いする (to misunderstand or to be mistaken).
How do you pronounce it?
gokai
Did you know?
- The phrase 誤解を解く (gokai o toku) literally means 'to untie a misunderstanding', treating the confusion like a knotted rope.
- In romantic contexts, 勘違い is often used in a specific slang way to describe someone who mistakenly thinks another person is flirting with them.
- In Japanese business culture, when a 'misunderstanding' occurs, people often use the phrase 勘違い to blame themselves rather than the other person to save the other's 'face'.
Examples in context
- 誤解があるようです。I'm afraid there's a misunderstanding.This sentence is useful for expressing that a misunderstanding exists using 誤解.Tatoeba #174215 by bunbuku, translation #240254 by CK
- 何か誤解があるはずです。There must be a misunderstanding.This sentence is useful for expressing that there must be a misunderstanding using 誤解.Tatoeba #2255772 by tommy_san, translation #1687612 by Spamster
- どうやら誤解があるようだ。There appears to be a misunderstanding.This sentence is useful for expressing that there appears to be a misunderstanding using 誤解.Tatoeba #201131 by bunbuku, translation #38337 by CK
- 昨日の電話、ミスコミがあったみたいだよ。It seems there was a misunderstanding during yesterday's phone call.
- ちょっと誤解しているみたい。It seems you're misunderstanding something.
- あのジョークを本気にするなんて、曲解しすぎだよ！Taking that joke seriously is such an extreme misunderstanding!
- 13 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Misaki and Yota are discussing a confusing message from a friend.
- 美咲 Misaki彼の言葉に誤解があったみたい。Kare no kotoba ni gokai ga atta mitai.It seems there was a misunderstanding in his words.
- 陽太 Yota美咲、それは大変だったね。Misaki, sore wa taihen datta ne.Misaki, that must have been difficult.
- 美咲 Misakiすぐに誤解を解かないといけないわ。Sugu ni gokai o tokanai to ikenai wa.I have to clear up the misunderstanding right away.
- 陽太 Yota僕も手伝うよ。Boku mo tetsudau yo.I will help you too.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “misunderstanding” translations and entries 誤解, 勘違い, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
