手違(てちが)い

てちがい
noun
mistake; error; mix-up
formalbusiness
1. mistake; error; mix-up; blunder
An error in procedure or handling, especially one that arises from miscommunication, carelessness, or a breakdown in coordination. Implies the mistake was unintentional and administrative rather than a moral failing.
手違(てちが)いで荷物(にもつ)が届(とど)かなかった。
Due to a mix-up, the package didn't arrive.
予約(よやく)に手違(てちが)いがあったようです。
It seems there was a mistake with the reservation.
事務(じむ)手続(てつづ)きの手違(てちが)いで、書類(しょるい)が二重(にじゅう)に発行(はっこう)されてしまった。
Due to an administrative error, the documents were issued twice.

A polite, blame-deflecting word for mistakes — commonly used in customer service, business, and formal apologies. By attributing the problem to a "procedural error" rather than personal negligence, it softens responsibility. Composed of 手(て) (hand/process) + 違(ちが)い (difference/error).

Common collocations

  • 手違(てちが)いがある: there is a mistake
  • 手違(てちが)いで: due to a mistake/error
  • 手違(てちが)いが生(しょう)じる: a mistake occurs
  • 事務的(じむてき)な手違(てちが)い: an administrative error
  • 手違(てちが)いをお詫(わ)びする: to apologize for a mistake

Similar words

Related Words

Compare: 間違(まちが)い (mistake)
Compare: 行(い)き違(ちが)い (miscommunication)
Compare: 勘違(かんちが)い (misunderstanding)
Compare: ミス (mistake)
general
Added 2026.5.8 1:12 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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