Translation guide
The English verb 'misunderstand' refers to interpreting something incorrectly. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is 誤解する (gokai suru), but other expressions like 勘違いする (kanchigai suru) or 取り違える (torichigaeru) are used depending on the nuance. This guide helps learners choose the right expression for different situations.
To interpret someone's words, actions, or intentions incorrectly.
The standard word for 'misunderstand'. It can be used in most contexts, from casual to formal.
I misunderstood what he said.
Please don't misunderstand.
Often used for a mistaken assumption or a mix-up, more casual than 誤解する. Implies a personal mistake in perception.
I misunderstood the time and was late.
Literally 'thought-mistake', used when one's assumption or belief turns out to be wrong. Somewhat formal or literary.
That was my misunderstanding. (I was mistaken.)
To take something in a wrong way, especially words or implications.
To hear or read something incorrectly, leading to misunderstanding.
To mishear. Used when you hear something incorrectly.
When a misunderstanding arises from not communicating clearly.
There is a misunderstanding/miscommunication. Often used when messages or intentions don't get across properly.
誤解 (gokai) is a general misunderstanding, often about someone's intentions or words. 勘違い (kanchigai) is more about a personal mistake in assumption or memory. For example, if you think someone is angry when they are not, that's 誤解. If you think the meeting is at 3pm when it's at 2pm, that's 勘違い.
I misunderstood that he was angry.
That's a misunderstanding. (You've got it wrong.)
To mistake one thing for another, to misinterpret. Often used when confusing similar things or meanings.
I mistook the sarcasm for seriousness. (I misunderstood the sarcasm.)
I had misunderstood the meaning.
To distort or twist the meaning, to misinterpret deliberately or with bias. Formal and often negative.
He twisted my words. (He misunderstood me intentionally.)
I misheard the name.
To misread. Used when you read something incorrectly.
I misread the number.
To mis-see, to mistake something visually. Can be used when you see something incorrectly and misunderstand.
I mistook the person. (I saw someone and thought it was someone else.)
There seems to have been a misunderstanding in communication.
A passing by each other, often used metaphorically for a misunderstanding or failure to connect emotionally or communicatively.
Our feelings were at cross-purposes. (We misunderstood each other's feelings.)
集合時間を勘違いした。
I got the meeting time wrong.
Avoid directly translating 'misunderstand' as 誤解する in every case. For mishearing or misreading, use specific verbs like 聞き間違える or 読み間違える. Using 誤解する for a simple hearing mistake can sound unnatural.
Sorry, I misheard you.