Translation guide
How to express accidentally saying something unintended in Japanese, from minor verbal mistakes to revealing secrets.
The speaker accidentally says the wrong word, mispronounces something, or makes a simple speech error.
A general, natural verb for making a verbal mistake, such as using the wrong word or mispronouncing something.
緊張して、名前を言い間違えてしまった。
I was nervous and made a slip of the tongue with the name.
The speaker unintentionally says something that was meant to be kept hidden, or blurts out an honest thought.
言い間違える is for simple speech errors like mispronouncing a word or mixing up terms. 口が滑る is for accidentally saying something you shouldn't have, like a secret or an honest opinion. Use 言い間違える for mistakes in language, and 口が滑る for mistakes in content.
「ありがとう」を「ありがと」と言い間違えた。
I made a slip of the tongue and said 'arigato' instead of 'arigatou'.
口が滑って、彼女の年齢を言ってしまった。
I made a slip of the tongue and said her age.
The literal translation '舌の滑りを作る' does not exist in Japanese. Avoid direct translation. Use the phrases above depending on the type of slip.
To fail to say something correctly; often implies a mistake in wording or a slip that changes the intended meaning.
大事なところで言い損なって、誤解された。
I made a slip of the tongue at a crucial point and was misunderstood.
Literally 'the mouth slips'; used when you accidentally say something you shouldn't have, often revealing a secret or true feeling.
つい口が滑って、サプライズのことを話してしまった。
I made a slip of the tongue and ended up telling about the surprise.
A formal term for a verbal gaffe or indiscreet remark, often with social consequences. Used in news or serious contexts.
大臣が失言して、問題になった。
The minister made a slip of the tongue and it became an issue.
The most common way to say you let something slip. Emphasizes the involuntary nature of the utterance.
口が滑って、彼に秘密をばらしてしまった。
I made a slip of the tongue and revealed the secret to him.
To say something carelessly or without thinking. Often used for minor slips or accidental remarks.
うっかり言ってしまったけど、本当は内緒だったんだ。
I made a slip of the tongue, but it was actually a secret.
To unintentionally say something that was on your mind; often used for honest thoughts that slip out.
本音がつい口に出てしまった。
My true feelings made a slip of the tongue.
To leak (information); often used when a secret is accidentally disclosed. Can be combined with うっかり or 口を滑らせて.
彼はうっかり秘密を漏らしてしまった。
He made a slip of the tongue and leaked the secret.
「舌の滑りを作る」とは言わない。
We don't say 'make a slip of the tongue' literally.
「舌の滑りを作る」とは言わない。
We don't say 'make a slip of the tongue' literally.