Translation guide
How to express making a careless or serious mistake in Japanese, from minor slip-ups to major gaffes.
A minor error due to inattention, like a typo or forgetting something.
Common loanword for a mistake or error, especially in work or daily life.
There was a mistake in the document.
General word for mistake or error, often used for factual or judgment errors.
それは大きな間違いだ。
That's a big mistake.
A careless mistake made when not paying attention.
うっかりミスで電車を乗り過ごした。
I missed my stop because of a careless mistake.
Colloquial term for a blunder or slip-up, often used in casual speech.
へまをして怒られた。
I made a blunder and got scolded.
A significant mistake with consequences, often in professional or social contexts.
A blunder or disgraceful mistake, often implying loss of face.
彼は会議で失態を演じた。
He committed a blunder at the meeting.
A big failure or major blunder.
A mistake or error, often with a nuance of moral failing or regret.
A blunder due to poor handling or incompetence, often used in business apologies.
An embarrassing mistake in social etiquette or manners.
A verbal gaffe or slip of the tongue.
大臣の失言が問題になった。
The minister's gaffe became an issue.
A breach of etiquette, a social blunder.
あいさつを忘れるのはエチケット違反だ。
Forgetting to greet is a social blunder.
A blunder in manners, often used for minor social mistakes or accidents.
The action of making a mistake or moving clumsily.
To fail or make a mistake; the most common verb for blundering.
また失敗しちゃった。
I blundered again.
To make a blunder (colloquial).
へまをして契約を逃した。
I blundered and lost the contract.
Slang for messing up or making a blunder.
試験でどじった。
I blundered on the exam.
ミス is a casual loanword for a mistake, often used in work contexts. 間違い is a general term for an error or wrongness. 失敗 is a failure or unsuccessful attempt, implying a negative outcome.
There is no single Japanese word that covers all nuances of 'blunder'. Choose based on severity and context. Using 大失敗 for a typo sounds overly dramatic.
プレゼンは大失敗だった。
The presentation was a huge blunder.
過去の過ちを認める。
To admit past blunders.
私の不手際でご迷惑をおかけしました。
I caused trouble due to my blunder.
Be careful not to make any blunders.