Japanese word

間違える

Pronunciation

Romajimachigaeru

Meaning

  • verbget wrong, make a mistake

Example

答えを間違えます。kota e o ma chiga e ma su

I get the answer wrong.

Illustration for 間違える (get wrong)

More examples

たまに間違えます。ta ma ni ma chiga e ma su

I sometimes make a mistake.

この問題では、計算を間違えないように、落ち着いて考えます。ko no mon dai de wa kei san o ma chiga e na i yō ni o chi tsu i te kanga e ma su

I think calmly so that I do not get the calculation wrong in this problem.

Core concept

Marks an answer, choice, or action as wrong rather than correct.

Common phrases

  • 順番を間違えるjun ban o ma chiga e ru

    get the order wrong

  • やり方を間違えるya ri kata o ma chiga e ru

    do something incorrectly

  • 名前を間違えるna mae o ma chiga e ru

    get a name wrong

Similar words

間違うmachigau: To give or choose an answer that is not correct.
ミスするmisusuru: To make a mistake in a choice, action, or entry.
取り違えるtorichigaeru: To identify one person or thing as another by mistake.
外すhazusu: To fail to select the correct answer or choice.

Definition in Japanese

答えや方法などを誤って選んだり、正しく行わなかったりする。kota e ya hō hō na do o ayama tte era n da ri masa shi ku okona wa na ka tta ri su ru

Word origin

The native Japanese verb 間違える (machigaeru) comes from 間違う (machigau, "to be mistaken") plus the transitive suffix える (eru).

Usage tips

  • In everyday conversation, this verb covers both choosing the wrong item and entering incorrect information, so it applies beyond school answers.

Other meanings

  • do incorrectlyverb

Opposites

  • 正解するseikaisuruanswer correctlyverb

Related words

Word lists with this word