人違い
hitochigai
The English phrase "wrong person" is translated into Japanese as 人違い (hitochigai).
人違い is a noun used to describe the phenomenon of mistaking one person for another. It is not used to describe a person who is morally "wrong" or "bad."
How do you pronounce it?
hitochigai
Did you know?
- When apologizing for a 人違い, Japanese speakers often accompany the phrase with a deep bow to show sincerity for the intrusion on the stranger's time.
- The phrase 人違い is distinct from 勘違い, which refers to a misunderstanding of a situation or a mental lapse rather than a mistake in physical identity.
- The word 人違い is composed of the kanji for 'person' and 'difference', literally translating to a 'person difference'.
Examples in context
- 人違いだ。You've got the wrong person.This sentence is useful for telling someone that they have made a mistake in identity using 人違い.Tatoeba #10904984 by small_snow, translation #1588935 by Spamster
- メッセージを間違えたみたいだ。ごめん、違う人だよ。It seems I sent the message to the wrong person. Sorry, but you're the wrong person.
- サッカーの試合で選手を見失ったんだ。あなたって、別の人でしょ？I lost track of the player during the soccer match. You're someone else, right?
- それは人違いですよ。Sore wa hitochigai desu yo.That is a case of mistaken identity.
- 人違いで声をかけられました。Hitochigai de koe o kakeraremashita.I was spoken to because of a mistake in identity.
Example conversation
A man approaches a woman in a cafe, thinking she is his friend.
- 陽太 Yotaあ、久しぶり！A, hisashiburi!Ah, long time no see!
- 陽葵 Himariすみません、人違いですよ。Sumimasen, hitochigai desu yo.Excuse me, you have the wrong person.
- 陽太 Yotaえっ、本当ですか？E, hontou desu ka?Eh, really?
- 陽葵 Himariはい、人違いです。Hai, hitochigai desu.Yes, you've mistaken me for someone else.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
