Japanese word

過ち

Pronunciation

Romajiayamachi

Meaning

  • nounmistake

Example

私は過ちを認めます。watashi wa ayama chi o mito me ma su

I admit my mistake.

Illustration for 過ち (mistake)

More examples

彼は小さな過ちから多くを学びました。kare wa chii sa na ayama chi ka ra ō ku o mana bi ma shi ta

He learned a great deal from a small mistake.

Core concept

Describes a departure from the right course in judgment or conduct, from an ordinary mistake to a blameworthy act.

Common phrases

  • 過ちを犯すayama chi o oka su

    make a mistake

  • 過ちから学ぶayama chi ka ra mana bu

    learn from a mistake

  • 過ちを認めるayama chi o mito me ru

    admit a mistake

  • 過ちを繰り返すayama chi o ku ri kae su

    repeat a mistake

  • 過ちを悔いるayama chi o ku i ru

    regret a mistake

Similar words

ミスmisu: An accidental error in carrying out an action or making a judgment.
誤りayamari: An incorrect judgment, statement, or action, with a relatively formal and broad use.
過失kashitsu: A harmful mistake caused by carelessness or failure to take proper care.
失策shissaku: A mistake in judgment or action that seriously harms a plan or produces an unfavorable result.

Definition in Japanese

判断や行動を誤ること。また、その結果として生じる失敗や不正な行為。han dan ya kō dō o ayama ru ko to ma ta so no kek ka to shi te shō ji ru ship pai ya fu sei na kō i

Word origin

As a native Japanese word, 過ち (ayamachi, "mistake") is the noun form of 過つ (ayamatsu, "to go wrong or make a mistake"), formed from its continuative stem.

Usage tips

  • Unlike ミス (misu), which commonly refers to an unintentional error in everyday speech, 過ち (ayamachi) often suggests a lapse in judgment with moral responsibility.

Other meanings

  • wrongdoingnoun
  • faux pasnoun
  • indiscretionnoun

Word lists with this word