違いない

• Reading: ちがいない
• Romaji: chigainai
• Kanji breakdown: 違 (i/chiga) — differ, mistake
• Pronunciation: /t͡ɕi.ɡa.i.na.i/

Meaning

No doubt; certainly; must be. An expression of strong conviction that something is true.

An i-adjective expression most commonly used in the pattern に違いない, meaning 'there is no doubt that' or 'must be.' Expresses strong subjective certainty: 彼が犯人に違いない (he must be the culprit). More emphatic than だろう (probably) and きっと (surely). Used in both spoken and written Japanese.

Examples

1. あの足音は隣の猫に違いない。 Those footsteps must be from the neighbor's cat.
2. こんなに人気があるなら、おいしいに違いない。 If it's this popular, it must be delicious.
3. 彼女が泣いていたのは何かあったに違いない。 She was crying — something must have happened.

Usage Guide

Context: reasoning, mystery, conversation

Tone: confident

Origin & History

Compound of 違い (chigai, difference/mistake) and ない (nai, not). Literally 'there is no mistake' — complete certainty that the speaker's judgment is correct.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal