間違い

• Reading: まちがい
• Romaji: machigai
• Kanji breakdown: 間 (kan/ma/aida) — interval, between; 違 (i/chigau) — differ, mistake
• Pronunciation: /ma.tɕi.ɡa.i/

Meaning

Mistake; error. Something that is incorrect or done wrongly.

A noun derived from the verb 間違う (machigau, to make a mistake). One of the most common words for expressing errors. Key patterns: 間違いない (machigai nai, no doubt/certain), 間違いを直す (machigai wo naosu, to correct a mistake). Often paired with verbs: 間違いに気づく (machigai ni kizuku, to notice a mistake). Slightly softer than 誤り (ayamari), which sounds more formal.

Examples

1. テストで間違いが3つあった。 I had three mistakes on the test.
2. 住所の間違いに気づいて書き直した。 I noticed a mistake in the address and rewrote it.
3. この答えは間違いないと思う。 I'm sure this answer is correct.

Usage Guide

Context: school, work, daily life

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Noun form of 間違う (machigau). The compound uses 間 (ma, interval/gap) and 違 (chigau, to differ), suggesting a gap between what is correct and what was done.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal