Mistake meanings in Japanese

間違い (まちがい, machigai)

Example:

I made a mistake on the test.

テストで間違いをしました。

That was a silly mistake.

それは愚かな間違いでした。

Usage: InformalContext: Used in everyday conversation, particularly when referring to errors in judgment, calculations, or actions.

Note: This is the most common term for 'mistake' and can refer to a wide range of errors.

誤り (あやまり, ayamari)

Example:

There is an error in your report.

あなたの報告書には誤りがあります。

He corrected the mistakes in his essay.

彼はエッセイの誤りを訂正しました。

Usage: FormalContext: Commonly used in written contexts, academic settings, or formal discussions.

Note: This term is often used when discussing factual errors or discrepancies.

失敗 (しっぱい, shippai)

Example:

Failure is often a learning experience.

失敗はしばしば学びの経験です。

He experienced a major mistake in his project.

彼はプロジェクトで大きな失敗を経験しました。

Usage: Formal/InformalContext: Used in both casual and formal scenarios, especially when referring to significant errors that lead to failure.

Note: This term implies a more serious or consequential mistake, often associated with failure.

誤解 (ごかい, gokai)

Example:

There was a misunderstanding about the instructions.

指示について誤解がありました。

Don't mistake my kindness for weakness.

私の親切を弱さと誤解しないでください。

Usage: Formal/InformalContext: Used when discussing misinterpretations or misunderstandings, often in conversations or explanations.

Note: This term is specifically related to errors in understanding rather than factual mistakes.

間違える (まちがえる, machigaeru)

Example:

I often mistake his name.

私は彼の名前をよく間違えます。

Don’t mistake this for that.

これをあれと間違えないでください。

Usage: InformalContext: Used as a verb to indicate the action of making a mistake.

Note: This is the verb form of 'mistake' and is commonly used in everyday speech.

error

An error is a mistake resulting from a misunderstanding or a wrong judgment.

Example: Making an error in the calculation led to the wrong result.

Note: Error is often used in formal contexts and can imply a more serious or technical mistake.

blunder

A blunder is a careless or embarrassing mistake.

Example: I made a blunder by sending the report to the wrong recipient.

Note: Blunder emphasizes the idea of a clumsy or foolish mistake.

slip-up

A slip-up is a minor or careless mistake.

Example: I had a slip-up and forgot to attach the file to the email.

Note: Slip-up is informal and often used in spoken language.

fault

Fault refers to responsibility for a mistake or wrongdoing.

Example: It was my fault for not double-checking the details before submitting the form.

Note: Fault can imply a personal responsibility for the mistake.

oversight

An oversight is a failure to notice or consider something important.

Example: The oversight of not including the key information caused confusion.

Note: Oversight often implies a failure to pay attention or to supervise properly.

Make a mistake

To make a mistake means to do something incorrectly or inaccurately.

Example: I made a mistake in my calculations, and now the results are all wrong.

Note: This phrase directly relates to the concept of making an error or doing something wrong.

Learn from your mistakes

To learn from your mistakes means to understand what went wrong and make sure not to do it again.

Example: It's important to learn from your mistakes so you don't repeat them in the future.

Note: This phrase emphasizes the importance of gaining knowledge or insight from errors to improve oneself.

Trial and error

Trial and error refers to a method of finding a solution by trying various methods until the right one is found.

Example: We had to use trial and error to figure out the best way to solve the problem.

Note: This phrase involves a process of experimentation and discovery rather than just a single mistake.

Err on the side of caution

To err on the side of caution means to choose the safer or more conservative option to avoid potential mistakes or risks.

Example: When in doubt, it's best to err on the side of caution and take extra safety measures.

Note: This phrase focuses on being overly careful or cautious to prevent errors before they occur.

No harm, no foul

No harm, no foul implies that no real damage was done by a mistake or error, so there are no hard feelings.

Example: I accidentally bumped into someone, but they said, 'No harm, no foul,' and we both laughed it off.

Note: This phrase suggests that mistakes or errors can be forgiven or overlooked if they do not cause any harm.

In the wrong

To be in the wrong means to be mistaken or at fault in a particular situation.

Example: I realized I was in the wrong after reviewing the evidence against me.

Note: This phrase implies a deeper acknowledgment of fault or error rather than just a simple mistake.

Miss the mark

To miss the mark means to fail to achieve the desired result or to be inaccurate in one's approach.

Example: His attempt to explain the concept missed the mark, and the audience was left confused.

Note: This phrase suggests a failure to reach a goal or standard, rather than just making a mistake in general.

Drop the ball

To drop the ball means to make a significant mistake or error, especially one that leads to failure or disappointment.

Example: I really dropped the ball on that project by forgetting a crucial deadline.

Note: This phrase conveys a sense of responsibility and accountability for a serious mistake or oversight.

Mess up

To make a mistake or to do something incorrectly or poorly.

Example: I really messed up the presentation by forgetting the key points.

Note: It emphasizes a more informal and colloquial way of referring to a mistake.

Screw up

To make a serious error or mistake that has negative consequences.

Example: I screwed up my interview by arriving late.

Note: It has a stronger and more emphatic connotation compared to 'mistake'.

Goof

To make a silly or trivial mistake that leads to a negative outcome.

Example: I goofed up my calculations and now the budget is all wrong.

Note: It is used in a more lighthearted manner compared to 'mistake'.

Faux pas

A socially awkward or embarrassing mistake in behavior or speech.

Example: Her comment about his clothes was a real faux pas.

Note: It specifically refers to a breach of etiquette or social norms as a mistake.

Botch

To carry out a task poorly or make a mess of something.

Example: He managed to botch the entire project by missing the deadline.

Note: It suggests a more serious failure or a complete mess compared to a regular mistake.

Slip up

To make a mistake usually due to a lapse in attention or judgment.

Example: I slipped up and sent the email to the wrong recipient.

Note: It implies a minor or unintentional error that is usually rectifiable.

My biggest mistake was not studying harder in college.

There must be some mistake, I didn't order this.

Making mistakes is a natural part of the learning process.

Mistake - Verb (Verb) / Verb, base form (Verb, base form)

Lemma: mistake

Conjugations

Noun, plural (Noun, plural): mistakes

Noun, singular or mass (Noun, singular or mass): mistake

Verb, past tense (Verb, past tense): mistook

Verb, past participle (Verb, past participle): mistaken

Verb, gerund or present participle (Verb, gerund or present participle): mistaking

Verb, 3rd person singular present (Verb, 3rd person singular present): mistakes

Verb, base form (Verb, base form): mistake

Verb, non-3rd person singular present (Verb, non-3rd person singular present): mistake

Syllabification and Stress

mistake Contains 2 syllables: mis • take

Phonetic transcription: mə-ˈstāk

mis take , mə ˈstāk (The red syllable is stressed)

The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000.

mistake: ~ 1800 (Very common).

This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.

Mistake