Japanese word

すれ違い

Pronunciation

Romajisurechigai

Meaning

  • nounmisunderstanding

Example

二人の間のすれ違いが、話し合いで解消されました。futa ri no aida no su re chiga i ga hana shi a i de kai shō sa re ma shi ta

The misunderstanding between them was resolved through discussion.

Illustration for すれ違い (misunderstanding)

More examples

互いに本音を言わないと、気持ちのすれ違いが深まります。taga i ni hon ne o i wa na i to ki mo chi no su re chiga i ga fuka ma ri ma su

If they do not express their true feelings, the misunderstanding between them will deepen.

Core concept

Centers on two people or things failing to meet in the same place or understanding, either by passing one another or by missing each other's meaning.

Common phrases

  • 意見のすれ違いi ken no su re chiga i

    difference of opinion

  • すれ違いを解消するsu re chiga i o kai shō su ru

    resolve a misunderstanding

  • すれ違いが生じるsu re chiga i ga shō ji ru

    a misunderstanding arises

Similar words

誤解gokai: A mistaken understanding of a person's words, actions, or intentions.
行き違いikichigai: A failure of people to communicate or respond in the way each expects.
食い違いkuichigai: A difference between two people's views, statements, or expectations.

Definition in Japanese

互いに近づいた人や物が接触せずに通り過ぎること。また、意思や理解が一致せず、食い違うこと。taga i ni chika zu i ta hito ya mono ga ses shoku se zu ni tō ri su gi ru ko to ma ta i shi ya ri kai ga it chi se zu ku i chiga u ko to

Word origin

すれ違い (surechigai) comes from the native verb すれ違う (surechigau), formed from すれ (sure, "brush against") and 違う (chigau, "to differ"); its noun form names the resulting mismatch or passing.

Usage tips

  • English learners may first connect すれ違い (surechigai) with misunderstanding, but Japanese also uses it for the literal event of two people passing each other.

Other meanings

  • difference of opinionnoun
  • passing each othernoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word