Translation guide
The act or result of forming a wrong opinion or estimate about a situation, person, or thing. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through various nouns, verbs, and set phrases that differ by nuance: simple mistake in judgment, underestimation, misreading of a situation, or personal miscalculation.
Expressing that someone made a wrong decision or assessment.
A formal noun meaning 'misjudgment' or 'wrong judgment'. Often used in legal, business, or serious contexts.
His misjudgment led to a huge loss.
A common, slightly casual compound meaning 'judgment mistake'. Used in everyday conversation and business.
That was a misjudgment on my part.
Refers to 'misrecognition' or 'mistaken belief', often used in legal or factual contexts.
There was a misjudgment of the facts.
Verb phrase meaning 'to misjudge' or 'to make an error in judgment'.
I misjudged the situation.
When someone wrongly assesses the difficulty, size, or capability of something or someone.
Verb meaning 'to misjudge by sight' or 'to mistake one thing for another'. Often used for misreading a situation or person.
I misjudged my opponent's ability.
Noun/verb meaning 'underestimation'. Commonly used when someone undervalues a person, risk, or task.
Verb meaning 'to underestimate' or 'to look down on'. Slightly colloquial and often carries a nuance of disdain.
Failing to correctly interpret social cues, mood, or context.
Literally 'can't read the air'. Describes someone who misjudges the social atmosphere and acts inappropriately.
He's someone who misjudges the mood.
Noun meaning 'misunderstanding' or 'wrong assumption'. Often used for personal misjudgments in daily life.
When a prediction or estimate turns out to be incorrect.
誤判断 is more formal and often appears in written reports or serious contexts. 判断ミス is common in everyday speech and business conversation. For casual talk, 判断ミス is more natural.
There is no single all-purpose Japanese word for 'misjudgment'. Using 誤判断 in casual conversation may sound stiff. Choose the expression that matches the specific nuance: underestimation, misreading, miscalculation, etc.
I had misjudged his abilities (underestimated him).
彼を見くびっていた。
I misjudged him (underestimated him).
That was my misjudgment / misunderstanding.
That was a major misjudgment (miscalculation).