すれ違う

• Reading: すれちがう
• Romaji: surechigau
• Pronunciation: /sɯ.ɾe.tɕi.ɡa.ɯ/

Meaning

To pass by one another; to miss each other. Going past someone coming from the opposite direction.

A Group 1 (godan) intransitive verb. Used both literally for physically passing someone, and figuratively for miscommunication or missed connections in relationships. The figurative use — feelings or opinions failing to align — is very common in emotional contexts.

Examples

1. 駅で友人とすれ違ったのに気づかなかった。 I passed by my friend at the station without noticing.
2. 忙しくて夫婦の生活がすれ違っている。 We're so busy that our lives as a married couple keep missing each other.
3. 狭い道で車同士がすれ違うのは難しい。 It's hard for cars to pass each other on a narrow road.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, relationships, emotional situations

Tone: wistful

Origin & History

Compound verb of すれる (to rub/graze) and 違う (to differ/be wrong). The image is of two things brushing past each other going in different directions.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal