行き違い

• Reading: いきちがい
• Romaji: ikichigai
• Kanji breakdown: 行 (kō/i) — go, conduct; 違 (i/chiga) — differ, mistake
• Pronunciation: /i.ki.tɕi.ɡa.i/

Meaning

Crossing without meeting; miscommunication; going astray.

Describes situations where two parties miss each other — physically (passing on the road without meeting) or metaphorically (miscommunication, letters crossing in the post). Very common in business correspondence to politely acknowledge potential timing conflicts.

Examples

1. メールが行き違いになっていたらすみません。 I'm sorry if our emails crossed in transit.
2. 駅で友人と行き違いになってしまった。 My friend and I missed each other at the station.
3. 連絡の行き違いで予定が変わってしまった。 Due to a miscommunication, our plans changed.

Usage Guide

Context: business email, daily life, communication

Tone: apologetic

Origin & History

Compound of 行き (iki, going) + 違い (chigai, difference/discrepancy). Literally 'going differently' — two paths that should have met but diverged.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal