Translation guide
How to express that you heard something incorrectly in Japanese. Covers common verbs, phrases for clarification, and natural reactions.
すみません、もう一度言ってください。
Sorry, could you say that again?
Say that you misheard a word or phrase.
The most direct and common verb for 'mishear'. Used when you mistake one sound or word for another.
すみません、聞き間違えました。
Sorry, I misheard you.
I misheard his name.
Synonym of 聞き間違える, slightly more formal or literary. Less common in daily speech.
電話で日時を聞き違えた。
I misheard the date and time on the phone.
Refers to mishearing something as a different word or phrase, often humorously, like a 'mondegreen'. Also used for auditory hallucinations.
それ、空耳だよ。
That's just you mishearing things.
Indicate that you didn't hear clearly, not necessarily that you misheard.
Means 'can't catch/hear clearly'. Use when the sound was unclear or you couldn't make out the words.
声が小さくて聞き取れませんでした。
Your voice was too quiet; I couldn't catch what you said.
早口で聞き取れなかった。
You spoke too fast; I couldn't catch it.
Literally 'can't hear well'. More about audibility than comprehension. Often used when there's noise.
周りがうるさくて、よく聞こえませんでした。
It was noisy around me, so I couldn't hear you well.
Politely ask someone to repeat or confirm what they said because you may have misheard.
Standard polite way to ask 'Please say it again'. Safe in most situations.
すみません、もう一度言ってください。
Sorry, could you say that again?
Verb meaning 'to ask again' or 'to question back'. Describes the act of asking for repetition.
聞き取れなくて、何度も聞き返してしまった。
I couldn't catch it and ended up asking again several times.
Casual interjection meaning 'Huh?' or 'What?'. Very informal; use only with close friends or family.
Can sound rude if used with superiors or strangers. Better to use a full phrase.
え？何て言った？
Huh? What did you say?
聞き間違える means you heard something but interpreted it incorrectly (e.g., heard 'cat' as 'cap'). 聞き取れない means you couldn't make out the sounds at all, often due to volume, speed, or noise.
「橋」を「箸」と聞き間違えた。
I misheard 'hashi' (bridge) as 'hashi' (chopsticks).
雑音で聞き取れなかった。
I couldn't catch it because of the noise.
The English loanword ミスヒア is not commonly used in Japanese. Stick to native verbs like 聞き間違える.