Translation guide
The English word "discrepancy" refers to a difference or inconsistency between two or more things that should be the same. In Japanese, there is no single perfect equivalent; the best choice depends on whether you are talking about numbers, stories, expectations, or logical contradictions.
To express that two sets of figures, amounts, or records do not match.
A formal noun meaning 'disagreement' or 'mismatch'. Commonly used in business, accounting, and technical contexts for discrepancies in data, opinions, or facts.
帳簿と実際の在庫に不一致があった。
There was a discrepancy between the ledger and the actual inventory.
A noun meaning 'discrepancy' or 'divergence', often used when two things that should align do not. Slightly less formal than 不一致, but still common in business.
報告書の数字に食い違いが見つかった。
A discrepancy was found in the figures in the report.
A noun meaning 'gap', 'deviation', or 'misalignment'. Often used for small discrepancies in timing, positioning, or understanding.
予算と実績の間にずれがある。
There is a discrepancy between the budget and the actual results.
To point out that someone's story or explanation contains contradictions or does not add up.
A noun meaning 'contradiction' or 'inconsistency'. Stronger than 'discrepancy', implying logical impossibility. Often used when statements conflict with each other or with facts.
彼の証言には矛盾がある。
There are discrepancies (contradictions) in his testimony.
A phrase meaning 'inconsistent' or 'doesn't add up'. Literally 'the seams don't match'. Used when a story or explanation has logical gaps.
彼の話は辻褄が合わない。
His story is full of discrepancies.
A casual phrase meaning 'stories don't match'. Used when two people's accounts differ.
二人の話が合わない。
There's a discrepancy between their stories.
To describe a mismatch between what was expected and what actually happened or exists.
A formal noun meaning 'divergence' or 'estrangement'. Often used in economics or sociology for a growing gap between ideals and reality, or between two trends.
理想と現実の乖離に苦しむ。
Suffer from the discrepancy between ideals and reality.
A loanword from English 'gap'. Commonly used in casual and business contexts for a discrepancy between expectation and reality, or between generations, cultures, etc.
不一致 is the most formal and objective, often used in official reports. 食い違い implies a conflict or mismatch that needs resolution. ずれ is more about a slight deviation or lag, and can be used for abstract gaps like perception gaps.
データの不一致を修正する。
Correct the data discrepancy.
意見の食い違いを話し合う。
Discuss the discrepancy in opinions.
認識のずれを埋める。
Bridge the perception gap.
The English word 'discrepancy' is often translated as 不一致, but in casual conversation, Japanese speakers more naturally use phrases like 合わない or 違う. Using 不一致 in everyday speech can sound overly stiff.
I feel the discrepancy (gap) between generations.