German word

Irrtum

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈɪɐ̯tuːm/

Meaning

  • masculine nounmistake

Example

Du liegst im Irrtum.

You are mistaken.

Illustration for Irrtum (mistake)

More examples

Man kann viel aus einem Irrtum lernen.

You can learn a lot from a mistake.

Core concept

A conclusion feels correct in the mind, while the facts point somewhere else.

Common phrases

  • einen Irrtum feststellen

    identify a mistake

  • aus einem Irrtum lernen

    learn from a mistake

Similar words

Missverständnis: Different meanings arise from unclear words or actions.
Fehler: An incorrect step or judgment in a specific process.
Verwechslung: Confusing similar people or things with each other.
Trugschluss: A false conclusion drawn from seemingly sound reasoning.

Definition in German

Eine falsche Annahme oder Überzeugung, bei der etwas für richtig gehalten wird, obwohl es nicht der Fall ist.

Word origin

Irrtum developed from the verb irren, 'to be mistaken,' with the noun-forming suffix -tum, and originally named a state of being mistaken.

Usage tips

  • Irrtum is masculine, and its plural is Irrtümer; the common phrase is im Irrtum liegen, with dative case.

Other meanings

  • errornoun
  • misconceptionnoun

Opposites

  • Korrektheitcorrectnessnoun

Related words

  • irrtümlichmistakenadjective
  • irrtümlicherweisemistakenlyadverb

Word lists with this word