1.
miscalculation; arithmetic error
A mistake in a mathematical calculation or numerical computation.
計算違いがあった。
There was a miscalculation.
見積りに計算違いがないか確認した。
I checked the estimate for calculation errors.
予算に計算違いがあり、費用が大幅に超過した。
There was a miscalculation in the budget, and costs significantly exceeded the plan.
2.
misjudgment; wrong estimate; things not going as planned
A figurative miscalculation — when a plan, prediction, or expectation turns out to be wrong.
それは計算違いだった。
That was a misjudgment.
相手を甘く見たのが計算違いだった。
Underestimating the opponent was a miscalculation.
計画は順調だったが、天候の変化が計算違いだった。
The plan was going well, but the change in weather was something I hadn't accounted for.
Composed of 計算 (calculation) + 違い (difference/mistake). The figurative sense (misjudgment, things not going as planned) is more common in everyday conversation than the literal arithmetic sense.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 計算違いだった: it was a miscalculation
- 計算違いがあった: there was a miscalculation
- 〜が計算違いだった: ~ was something I hadn't accounted for
USAGE:
Often used when someone's plan fails because they underestimated something or didn't anticipate a factor. The tone implies a mistake in judgment rather than a simple arithmetic error.
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 誤算: miscalculation, misjudgment (slightly more formal, similar meaning)
- 見込み違い: wrong estimate, misjudgment
- 読み違い: misreading (of a situation)