違(ちが)う

ちがう
verb (godan)
to differ, to be wrong
1. to differ, to be different
To not be the same.
考(かんが)えが違(ちが)う。
We think differently.
私(わたし)と彼(かれ)は性格(せいかく)が違(ちが)う。
He and I have different personalities.
文化(ぶんか)が違(ちが)うと習慣(しゅうかん)も違(ちが)う。
Different cultures have different customs.
昨日(きのう)と今日(きょう)では気温(きおん)が違(ちが)う。
The temperature is different today from yesterday.
味(あじ)が前(まえ)と違(ちが)う。
The taste is different from before.
2. to be wrong, to be incorrect
To not be right.
答(こた)えが違(ちが)う。
The answer is wrong.
違(ちが)います。
That's not right. / No.
電話番号(でんわばんごう)が違(ちが)っています。
The phone number is wrong.
ちょっと違(ちが)うと思(おも)う。
I think that's a bit wrong.
予定(よてい)と違(ちが)う。
It's not according to plan. / That's wrong.

違(ちが)う means to differ or to be wrong—a very common verb with two distinct uses.

SENSE 1 - DIFFERENT:

  • XとYが違(ちが)う: X and Y are different
  • Xと違(ちが)って: unlike X
  • 全然(ぜんぜん)違(ちが)う: completely different

SENSE 2 - WRONG/INCORRECT:

  • 答(こた)えが違(ちが)う: the answer is wrong
  • 違(ちが)います: No, that's not right (polite denial)
  • ちょっと違(ちが)う: a bit wrong/off

RELATED WORDS:

  • 違(ちが)い: difference (noun)
  • 間違(まちが)い: mistake
  • 間違(まちが)える: to make a mistake
  • 異(こと)なる: to differ (formal)
basic
Added 2026.1.9 21:48 · Revised 2026.1.28 19:36
01500/01957_chigau