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.
彼の言ったことを誤解してしまった。
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.
時間を勘違いして遅刻した。
I misunderstood the time and was late.
それは勘違いだよ。
That's a misunderstanding. (You've got it wrong.)
Literally 'thought-mistake', used when one's assumption or belief turns out to be wrong. Somewhat formal or literary.
それは私の思い違いでした。
That was my misunderstanding. (I was mistaken.)
To take something in a wrong way, especially words or implications.
To mistake one thing for another, to misinterpret. Often used when confusing similar things or meanings.
皮肉を本気に取り違えた。
I mistook the sarcasm for seriousness. (I misunderstood the sarcasm.)
意味を取り違えていた。
I had misunderstood the meaning.
To distort or twist the meaning, to misinterpret deliberately or with bias. Formal and often negative.
彼は私の言葉を曲解した。
He twisted my words. (He misunderstood me intentionally.)
To hear or read something incorrectly, leading to misunderstanding.
To mishear. Used when you hear something incorrectly.
名前を聞き間違えた。
I misheard the name.
To misread. Used when you read something incorrectly.
数字を読み間違えた。
I misread the number.
To mis-see, to mistake something visually. Can be used when you see something incorrectly and misunderstand.
When a misunderstanding arises from not communicating clearly.
There is a misunderstanding/miscommunication. Often used when messages or intentions don't get across properly.
連絡に行き違いがあったようだ。
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.
お互いの気持ちがすれ違っていた。
Our feelings were at cross-purposes. (We misunderstood each other's feelings.)
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.
彼が怒っていると誤解した。
I misunderstood that he was angry.
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.
すみません、聞き間違えました。
Sorry, I misheard you.
人を見間違えた。
I mistook the person. (I saw someone and thought it was someone else.)