Translation guide
The English verb 'mislead' covers a range of situations where someone is caused to believe something false, often through deception or error. Japanese has no single perfect equivalent; the best choice depends on whether the misleading is intentional, accidental, or involves giving a wrong impression.
To deliberately cause someone to believe something false, often for personal gain or to hide the truth.
The most common and direct word for intentional deception. It can be used for anything from small lies to serious fraud.
彼は私を騙してお金を取った。
He misled me and took my money.
簡単に騙されないでください。
Please don't be easily misled.
A more formal or literary term for deception, often implying betrayal of trust. Used in serious contexts like fraud or political deceit.
彼は国民を欺いた。
He misled the nation.
Literally 'to tell a lie'. Often used when the misleading involves a direct false statement.
彼は私に嘘をついて、本当のことを隠した。
He misled me by lying and hiding the truth.
To cause someone to misunderstand or form an incorrect belief, without necessarily intending to deceive.
A very common and natural way to say 'to cause misunderstanding' or 'to be misleading'. It does not necessarily imply intent.
その表現は誤解を招くかもしれない。
That expression might be misleading.
彼の説明は誤解を招いた。
His explanation misled people.
Literally 'to give a wrong impression'. A more explicit way to say something is misleading.
その広告は間違った印象を与える。
That advertisement is misleading.
Means to confuse, bewilder, or lead astray. Can be used for misleading that causes confusion rather than just false belief.
To guide someone to an incorrect place or along a wrong path, either literally or figuratively.
Literally 'to make someone mistake the way'. Used for giving wrong directions or leading someone astray physically.
彼は私に間違った道を教えて、私を道に迷わせた。
He misled me by giving wrong directions and got me lost.
A more formal phrase meaning 'to lead in the wrong direction'. Can be used metaphorically for policies, research, etc.
そのデータは研究者を誤った方向に導いた。
The data misled the researchers.
The English verb 'mislead' does not have a single direct equivalent in Japanese. Translating it as 'ミスリードする' is not natural Japanese and should be avoided. Instead, choose a phrase based on the intended meaning (deception vs. misunderstanding).
Use 騙す when someone intentionally deceives. Use 誤解を招く when something (a statement, action, situation) causes misunderstanding, regardless of intent. 誤解を招く is often the safer choice for 'misleading' in neutral contexts.
彼の言葉は私を惑わした。
His words misled me (confused me).