1.
faulty memory; misremembering
remembering something incorrectly; a mistaken recollection
それは私の記憶違いだった。
That was my misremembering.
約束の日を記憶違いしていた。
I had misremembered the date of the appointment.
彼の名前は記憶違いでなければ田中さんだったはずだ。
If I'm not misremembering, his name should have been Tanaka.
Composed of 記憶 (memory) + 違い (difference/mistake). Specifically means remembering facts incorrectly — the memory itself is wrong, not that you forgot.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 記憶違いだった: it was a faulty memory
- 記憶違いでなければ: if I'm not misremembering
- 記憶違いをする: to misremember
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 勘違い: misunderstanding, misconception (broader — covers misunderstanding in general)
- 思い違い: mistaken thought, wrong assumption
- ど忘れ: sudden memory lapse (tip-of-the-tongue — you know it but can't recall)
- 物忘れ: forgetfulness (general tendency, often associated with aging)
NUANCE:
記憶違い is relatively neutral and non-blaming. It acknowledges that memory can be unreliable without implying negligence.
Related Words
Synonym:
思い違い (misconception)