1.
off the mark, irrelevant, missing the point
A remark, action, or response that does not address the actual issue or is irrelevant to the topic at hand. Literally means "missing the target."
的外れな質問をする。
To ask an irrelevant question.
その批判は的外れだ。
That criticism is off the mark.
的外れな回答ばかりで話が進まない。
The conversation isn't progressing because of nothing but irrelevant answers.
Literally "missing the target" (的 = target, 外れ = miss). Used as a na-adjective to describe remarks, actions, or ideas that fail to address the real issue.
USAGE:
As a na-adjective: 的外れな + noun
As a predicate: 〜は的外れだ
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 的外れな質問: irrelevant question
- 的外れな回答: off-the-mark answer
- 的外れな批判: misguided criticism
- 的外れな意見: a pointless opinion
CONTRAST:
- 的を射る: to hit the mark, to be spot-on (opposite meaning)
- 見当外れ: off base, wide of the mark (near-synonym, often about guesses or estimates)