Translation guide
How to express a verbal mistake in Japanese, from casual slips to formal apologies.
To say you misspoke or made a simple speaking error in everyday conversation.
A common, neutral way to say you said the wrong word or phrase by mistake.
I just slipped up and said the wrong name.
Means to fail to say something correctly, often implying a slip or misspeaking. Slightly more formal than 言い間違える.
I got nervous and slipped up on the important part.
Literally 'the mouth slips', used when you accidentally say something you shouldn't have, like a secret or an honest thought.
I let my tongue slip and said what I really thought.
Specifically means to stumble over your words, like tripping on a syllable. Very casual.
I stumbled over my words during the greeting and was so embarrassed.
To apologize for a slip of the tongue in a polite or business setting.
To describe accidentally revealing a secret or true feeling through speech.
言い間違える is for simple word errors (like saying 'left' instead of 'right'). 口が滑る is for accidentally revealing a thought or secret you didn't intend to share.
I slipped and said 'left' instead of 'right'.
My tongue slipped and I told his secret.
The literal translation '舌の滑り' is not used in Japanese. Avoid this phrase entirely.
I apologize for my slip of the tongue earlier.