Translation guide
How to express making a mistake in Japanese, from simple errors to serious blunders.
To say you made a mistake in a general sense, like an error in work, school, or daily life.
The most common and versatile verb for making a mistake. It can be used for factual errors, misjudgments, or doing something incorrectly.
A loanword from English 'miss', used as a suru-verb. Common in business and casual contexts for a slip-up or error.
There was a mistake in the documents.
I made a mistake again.
A more formal or literary verb for making an error. Often used in written language or official apologies.
I made an error in judgment.
To express a significant failure, blunder, or mess-up, often with a sense of regret.
Means to fail or make a mistake, often with a connotation of a blunder or an unsuccessful attempt. Very common.
A colloquial verb meaning to mess up or do something stupid. Often used among friends.
Slang for failing or botching something, often with a nuance of personal disappointment.
To describe a minor, often careless mistake like a typo or oversight.
To refer to a slip of the tongue or a typo.
間違える focuses on the error itself (wrong answer, wrong action), while 失敗する emphasizes the failure or unsuccessful outcome. You can 間違える without 失敗する (e.g., a typo), but 失敗する often implies a more significant consequence.
I got the answer wrong, but I passed the exam.
The business venture failed.
ミス is typically for minor, everyday errors. For major failures or life mistakes, use 失敗 or other stronger terms.
またやらかした。
I messed up again.
大事なプレゼンでしくじった。
I blew the important presentation.
I made a lot of careless mistakes on the test.
Means to write something incorrectly, like a typo or wrong character.
I wrote the address wrong.