Translation guide
Expressing the idea of misjudging a situation, person, or outcome in Japanese. The most common and versatile way is using the verb 見誤る (mimachigaeru) or the noun 誤算 (gosan). However, Japanese often uses more specific expressions depending on what was misjudged.
To express that one made an error in judgment, assessment, or calculation, often leading to an unexpected result.
A noun meaning 'miscalculation' or 'misjudgement'. Often used when plans go wrong due to an error in estimation. Common in both spoken and written Japanese.
それは大きな誤算だった。
That was a big misjudgement.
彼の反応は完全に誤算だった。
His reaction was a complete miscalculation.
A verb meaning 'to misjudge' or 'to mistake (visually or in assessment)'. Implies an error in perception or evaluation.
状況を見誤ってはいけない。
You must not misjudge the situation.
彼の能力を見誤っていた。
I misjudged his ability.
A compound meaning 'judgment error'. Very common in everyday speech, especially in business or sports contexts.
あの時は判断ミスをした。
I made a misjudgement at that time.
A phrase meaning 'to be overly optimistic' or 'to have a naive outlook'. Used when someone's forecast or expectation was too rosy.
彼の見通しは甘かった。
His judgement was too optimistic.
A formal noun meaning 'misrecognition' or 'mistaken belief'. Often used in legal or official contexts.
事実誤認があった。
There was a misjudgement of the facts.
To express that one formed an incorrect opinion about someone's personality, intentions, or trustworthiness.
A common phrase meaning 'to be a poor judge of character'. Literally 'to have no eye for seeing people'.
私は人を見る目がない。
I'm a bad judge of character.
彼女は人を見る目がある。
She is a good judge of character. (positive form)
A verb meaning 'to misjudge (someone's character)' or 'to be disappointed in someone'. Often used when someone turns out worse than expected.
A verb meaning 'to misunderstand'. While broader, it can be used for misjudging someone's intentions or words.
彼の親切を弱さと誤解していた。
I misjudged his kindness as weakness.
To express an error in reading the atmosphere, timing, or appropriateness of an action.
A very common phrase meaning 'unable to read the room' or 'socially clueless'. Often abbreviated as KY.
彼は空気を読めない。
He can't read the room. (He misjudges the atmosphere.)
A phrase meaning 'to misjudge the timing'. Used when an action is done at the wrong moment.
発言のタイミングを誤った。
I misjudged the timing of my remark.
There is no single Japanese noun that covers all uses of 'misjudgement'. Using 誤判断 (godandan) is possible but sounds stiff and technical. Instead, choose a verb phrase or specific noun based on context.
誤算 (gosan) implies a miscalculation in planning or expectation, often with a sense of 'things didn't go as planned'. 判断ミス (handan misu) is more about a specific error in decision-making at a moment. Use 誤算 for strategic errors, 判断ミス for tactical ones.
彼を見損なった。
I misjudged him. / I'm disappointed in him.
A noun/adjective meaning 'off the mark' or 'misguided'. Used when an assumption or guess is completely wrong.
彼の予想は見当違いだった。
His prediction was a misjudgement.