すれ違(ちが)い

すれちがい
noun
passing by each other, missing each other, miscommunication
societycommunication
See also: すれ違(ちが)う (verb form)
1. passing by each other
The act of two people or things passing each other going in opposite directions.
駅(えき)ですれ違(ちが)いになった。
We passed each other at the station.
電話(でんわ)のすれ違(ちが)いで連絡(れんらく)が取(と)れなかった。
We kept missing each other's calls and couldn't get in touch.
2. missing each other, miscommunication
A situation where people fail to meet or connect, or where there is a misunderstanding or gap in communication.
二人(ふたり)の間(あいだ)にすれ違(ちが)いが生(う)まれた。
A gap developed between the two of them.
気持(きも)ちのすれ違(ちが)いが原因(げんいん)で別(わか)れた。
They broke up because of emotional disconnection.
長年(ながねん)の夫婦(ふうふ)でも、すれ違(ちが)いの生活(せいかつ)が続(つづ)くと心(こころ)が離(はな)れてしまう。
Even long-married couples can drift apart if they keep living separate lives.

The noun form of the verb すれ違(ちが)う (to pass by each other). Has both a physical and figurative meaning.

SENSE 1 — PHYSICAL:
Two people or things passing each other going in opposite directions.

SENSE 2 — FIGURATIVE:
Emotional disconnect or miscommunication between people. Very common in relationship contexts.

  • 気持(きも)ちのすれ違(ちが)い: emotional disconnect
  • すれ違(ちが)いの生活(せいかつ): ships-in-the-night lifestyle (couple rarely seeing each other)

Related words

Related Words

Related: 行(い)き違(ちが)い (mix-up, misunderstanding)
general
Added 2026.2.4 15:17 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
09500/09910_surechigai