Translation guide
How to express the idea of writing something incorrectly in Japanese, covering mistakes in characters, words, and transcription.
The speaker made a mistake while writing a character or word, such as a kanji stroke error, wrong kana, or misspelling.
The most common and general verb for 'miswrite'. Used for any writing mistake, including kanji, kana, or spelling.
漢字を書き間違えた。
I miswrote the kanji.
名前を書き間違えてしまった。
I accidentally miswrote the name.
A slightly more formal or literary synonym for 書き間違える. Often used in written contexts.
住所を書き誤りました。
I miswrote the address.
A transparent phrase meaning 'write mistakenly'. Less compact than 書き間違える but equally natural.
うっかり間違えて書いてしまった。
I carelessly miswrote it.
The speaker incorrectly copied or transcribed something, such as from a board or document.
Specifically for miswriting when copying or transcribing. Combines 写す (copy) and 間違える (make a mistake).
黒板の文字を写し間違えた。
I miswrote the characters from the blackboard.
数字を写し間違えて、計算が合わなかった。
I miswrote the numbers and the calculation didn't match.
Emphasizes both writing and copying. Slightly redundant but clear.
資料を書き写し間違えて、後で直した。
I miswrote the document when copying and corrected it later.
The speaker wrote incorrect information, not just a character mistake, but the wrong word or fact.
A natural way to say 'write something wrong' when the content itself is incorrect.
レポートに間違ったことを書いてしまった。
I wrote something wrong in the report.
Means to make a mistake in writing, often implying a slip of the pen or a blunder. Less common in everyday speech.
Both mean 'miswrite', but 書き間違える is a single compound verb and more concise. 間違えて書く is a phrase that can be used when you want to emphasize the mistake aspect or when the object is long.
漢字を書き間違えた。
I miswrote the kanji.
漢字を間違えて書いた。
I wrote the kanji incorrectly.
The English loanword 'miswrite' is not used in Japanese. Always use native verbs or phrases.
契約書の日付を書き損じた。
I miswrote the date on the contract.