違う
chigau[t͡ɕiɡa̠ɯ̟]
In Japanese, the word for asserting something is wrong is 違う (chigau).
違う is used to indicate that something is incorrect or different. While it is used to mean 'wrong' in a factual sense, it is important to note that it refers to things being different from the truth rather than being morally wrong. To refer to a mistake itself, the informal term ミス is used.
Meaning: asserting something incorrect (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The verb 違う literally means 'to differ' or 'to be different'.
Which one should you use?
違う is a verb used to state that something is wrong or different, whereas 間違い is a noun used to refer to a mistake or an error.
How does it change in a sentence?
The polite form 違います is used when stating that something is wrong or incorrect in a formal or standard setting.
How do you pronounce it?
chigau
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using 違う to mean 'evil' or 'immoral'. If you want to describe something as morally wrong, you should use words like 悪い instead.
Did you know?
- The word 違う can be used to mean 'No' in a way that is softer than the direct いいえ, as it implies the situation is simply 'different' from what was suggested.
- There is an archaic version of 違う derived from the words for 'hand' and 'to cross', which appeared as early as 712 CE in the 'Kojiki'.
- In casual conversation, Japanese speakers often use 違う as a filler or a reflexive correction, even when the other person is not technically incorrect.
Examples in context
- どう違うんだ？How is it wrong?This sentence shows how to ask how something is different or wrong using 違う.Tatoeba #201119 by small_snow, translation #14037486 by zogwarg
- それは違うと思います。I think that is wrong.This sentence demonstrates using 違う to express a thought that something is wrong.Tatoeba #205341 by bunbuku, translation #358194 by Tamangolang
- どうして？何が違うの？Why? What's wrong?This sentence illustrates asking what specifically is different or wrong using 違う.Tatoeba #4587162 by omi31415, translation #2195042 by Hybrid
- それは誤りですThat is incorrect.
- その情報は誤ったものでしたThat information was incorrect.
- それは違いますThat's wrong.
- それは違うよNo, that's wrong.
- すごいミスだねThat was a big mistake!
- 先生、それは誤りですTeacher, that is wrong.
- 13 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kenta and Misaki are checking a math problem together.
- 健太 Kentaこの答え、違うと思う。Kono kotae, chigau to omou.I think this answer is wrong.
- 美咲 Misakiえ、どこが違うの？E, doko ga chigau no?Eh, where is it wrong?
- 健太 Kenta計算がちょっと違うよ。Keisan ga chotto chigau yo.The calculation is a little bit wrong.
- 美咲 Misakiあ、本当だ。教えてくれてありがとう。A, hontou da. Oshiete kurete arigatou.Ah, you're right. Thanks for telling me.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 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.
