Japanese word

過失

Pronunciation

Romajikashitsu

Meaning

  • nounfault

Example

その事故は彼の過失によるものです。so no ji ko wa kare no ka shitsu ni yo ru mo no de su

The accident was due to his negligence.

Illustration for 過失 (fault)

More examples

裁判では、双方の過失が争点になりました。sai ban de wa sō hō no ka shitsu ga sō ten ni na ri ma shi ta

The negligence of both parties became an issue in the trial.

Core concept

Describes an unintended mistake or lapse that places responsibility for its consequences on the person who made it.

Common phrases

  • 過失による事故ka shitsu ni yo ru ji ko

    an accident caused by negligence

  • 重大な過失jū dai na ka shitsu

    gross negligence

Similar words

ミスmisu: An incorrect action or judgment, usually in an ordinary situation.
過ちayamachi: A serious mistake that can cause harm or be viewed as wrongdoing.
落ち度ochido: A fault or failure that gives grounds for assigning responsibility.
手落ちteochi: An omission or oversight in carrying out a task or procedure.

Definition in Japanese

不注意や判断の誤りによって生じた、責任を負うべきあやまち。fu chū i ya han dan no ayama ri ni yo tte shō ji ta seki nin o o u be ki a ya ma chi

Word origin

過 (ka, "excess or overstep") + 失 (shitsu, "loss or failure") forms a Sino-Japanese compound for an unintended fault.

Usage tips

  • The noun 過失 (kashitsu) sounds formal and legal in conversation, so ordinary English often uses fault or mistake instead.

Other meanings

  • negligencenoun
  • errornoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word