間違(まちが)い

まちがい
noun
mistake, error
1. mistake, error
Something done incorrectly; an error in action, judgment, or calculation.
間違(まちが)いがあった。
There was a mistake.
それは間違(まちが)いだ。
That's wrong.
計算(けいさん)の間違(まちが)いに気(き)がついた。
I noticed a mistake in the calculation.
間違(まちが)い電話(でんわ)がかかってきた。
I got a wrong number call.
間違(まちが)いなく届(とど)けます。心配(しんぱい)しないでください。
I will definitely deliver it. Please don't worry.
間違(まちが)いなく = without mistake, certainly
2. accident, mishap
An unintended event, especially something improper or unfortunate.
間違(まちが)いがあったら大変(たいへん)だ。
It would be terrible if something went wrong.
間違(まちが)いを起(お)こさないように注意(ちゅうい)する。
I'm being careful not to let any mishaps occur.
若(わか)い時(とき)に間違(まちが)いを犯(おか)してしまった。
I made a grave mistake when I was young.
もし間違(まちが)いがあっても、すぐに対応(たいおう)できるように準備(じゅんび)しておく。
I'll prepare so that I can respond quickly even if something goes wrong.
子供(こども)に間違(まちが)いがあったら困(こま)るので、一人(ひとり)で出(で)かけさせない。
I don't let the child go out alone in case something happens to them.

間違(まちが)い is the noun form of 間違(まちが)う. In sense 1, it means a simple error or mistake. In sense 2, it takes on a more serious meaning of an accident, mishap, or grave error — often euphemistic for something improper or scandalous.

Common expressions

Sense 2 usage

When 間違(まちが)い is used with expressions like 万一(まんいち)間違(まちが)いがあったら (if something were to go wrong), it refers not to a simple error but to an accident or mishap, sometimes euphemistically to something improper.

Related words

Related Words

Related: 間違(まちが)う (verb)
Related: 間違(まちが)える (transitive verb)
Synonym: ミス
Related: 失敗(しっぱい) (failure, mistake)
Related: 違(ちが)う (to differ, to be wrong)
Compare: 誤差(ごさ) (error, margin of error)
Compare: 不正解(ふせいかい) (incorrect answer)
Compare: 錯誤(さくご) (error)
Compare: 手違(てちが)い (mistake)
core
Added 2026.1.12 21:48 · Revised 2026.9.4 21:29
03500/03733_machigai