Japanese word

行き違い

Pronunciation

Romajiikichigai

Meaning

  • nounmisunderstanding

Example

連絡の行き違いがありました。ren raku no i ki chiga i ga a ri ma shi ta

There was a misunderstanding in our communication.

Illustration for 行き違い (misunderstanding)

More examples

先生との行き違いを避けるため、早めに確認しました。sen sei to no i ki chiga i o sa ke ru ta me haya me ni kaku nin shi ma shi ta

I checked early to avoid a misunderstanding with my teacher.

Core concept

Centers on two people or events missing one another, literally in movement or figuratively in communication.

Common phrases

  • 認識の行き違いnin shiki no i ki chiga i

    a difference in understanding

  • 行き違いを避けるi ki chiga i o sa ke ru

    avoid a misunderstanding

  • 行き違いがあるi ki chiga i ga a ru

    there is a misunderstanding

Similar words

誤解gokai: A wrong understanding of someone's words, meaning, or intention.
すれ違いsurechigai: A failure of people or their thoughts to connect because of timing or differing perspectives.
食い違いkuichigai: A difference between information, opinions, or plans that should agree.
齟齬sogo: A discrepancy or inconsistency between statements, plans, or actions.

Definition in Japanese

伝える側と受け取る側の意図や情報が一致せず、理解にずれが生じること。tsuta e ru gawa to u ke to ru gawa no i to ya jō hō ga it chi se zu ri kai ni zu re ga shō ji ru ko to

Word origin

行き違い (ikichigai) is formed from 行き (iki, "going"), the stem of 行く (iku, "to go"), and 違い (chigai, "difference"), linking divergent movement with a communication mismatch.

Usage tips

  • The term can describe a communication mismatch even when neither person deliberately gives false information, making it useful for explaining a failed exchange.

Other meanings

  • passing each othernoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 行き違うikichigaumisunderstandverb

Word lists with this word