Translation guide
How to express that someone is wrong about a fact, belief, or assumption in Japanese. The most natural expressions depend on whether you are talking about yourself, someone else, or a general statement.
Expressing that a person holds an incorrect belief or has made an error in understanding.
The most common and neutral way to say someone is mistaken. It literally means 'is wrong/incorrect'. Can be used for oneself or others.
それは間違っていると思います。
I think that's mistaken.
His explanation is mistaken.
Specifically means 'misunderstanding' or 'getting the wrong idea'. Very natural for everyday mistakes in perception or assumption.
すみません、勘違いしていました。
Sorry, I was mistaken.
彼女は日付を勘違いしている。
She is mistaken about the date.
Similar to 勘違い, but emphasizes a mistaken belief or assumption. Slightly more formal/literary.
それは思い違いです。
That is a mistaken notion.
Politely acknowledging that you were wrong or made an error.
Standard polite way to say 'I was mistaken'. Use 私が to emphasize it was your error.
申し訳ありません、私が間違っていました。
I'm sorry, I was mistaken.
Casual and common way to admit a misunderstanding. Often used with すみません.
あ、勘違いでした。すみません。
Oh, I was mistaken. Sorry.
More formal admission of a mistaken belief. Suitable for business or serious contexts.
それは私の思い違いでした。失礼しました。
That was my mistake. I apologize.
Telling another person they are wrong without being too direct or rude.
Softens the statement by turning it into a suggestion. Literally 'Isn't it that...?' Use after a plain form clause.
それは少し違うのではないでしょうか。
I think you might be mistaken about that.
Very polite and indirect. 'I suspect it might be a mistake.' Often used in business emails.
おそらく間違いかと思いますが、ご確認いただけますか。
I believe there may be a mistake; could you please check?
Confusing one person or thing for another.
Noun meaning 'mistaken identity' for a person. Often used with する.
すみません、人違いでした。
Sorry, I mistook you for someone else.
Verb meaning 'to mis-see', i.e., to mistake something visually.
The English passive 'be mistaken' does not translate directly into a passive Japanese form. Instead, use active expressions like 間違っている or 勘違いしている. Saying 間違えられる would mean 'can be mistaken' or 'is mistakable', not 'is wrong'.
間違う (intransitive) and 間違える (transitive) are momentary verbs meaning 'to make a mistake'. 間違っている is the stative result ('is wrong'). To say 'I am mistaken', use 間違っている, not 間違った.
答えを間違えた。
I made a mistake on the answer.
答えが間違っている。
The answer is wrong.
彼を見間違えた。
I mistook him for someone else.