()(ちが)

いきちがい
noun
misunderstanding; crossing paths, missing each other
1. crossing paths, passing each other, missing each other
The physical act of passing by someone going in the opposite direction or failing to meet due to different timing.
(えき)()(ちが)いになった。
We missed each other at the station.
電車(でんしゃ)()(ちが)いするのを()つ。
Waiting for trains to pass each other.
2. misunderstanding, miscommunication
A failure to understand each other correctly, often due to different expectations or assumptions.
約束(やくそく)時間(じかん)()(ちが)いがあった。
There was a misunderstanding about the meeting time.
メールの()(ちが)いで混乱(こんらん)(しょう)じた。
Confusion arose from crossed emails.
意見(いけん)()(ちが)いから喧嘩(けんか)になった。
A difference in opinions led to an argument.
()(ちが)いがあったようで、(もう)(わけ)ありません。
There seems to have been a misunderstanding. I apologize.

()(ちが)い can refer to physical or communicative misalignment.

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • ()(ちが)いになる: to miss each other; to have a misunderstanding
  • ()(ちが)いがある: there is a misunderstanding
  • ()(ちが)いが(しょう)じる: a misunderstanding arises

RELATED EXPRESSIONS:

  • ()(ちが)い: discrepancy, disagreement
  • 勘違(かんちが)い: misunderstanding, wrong assumption
  • すれ(ちが)い: passing by; estrangement