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.
さっき、名前を言い間違えちゃった。
I just slipped up and said the wrong name.
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.
「右」と言うところを「左」と言い間違えた。
I slipped and said 'left' instead of 'right'.
口が滑って、彼の秘密を話してしまった。
My tongue slipped and I told his secret.
The literal translation '舌の滑り' is not used in Japanese. Avoid this phrase entirely.
Means to fail to say something correctly, often implying a slip or misspeaking. Slightly more formal than 言い間違える.
緊張して、大事なところを言い損なった。
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.
つい口が滑って、本音を言ってしまった。
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.
挨拶で噛んじゃって恥ずかしかった。
I stumbled over my words during the greeting and was so embarrassed.
A noun meaning a verbal gaffe or indiscreet remark. Often used in formal apologies.
先ほどの発言は失言でした。お詫びします。
My earlier remark was a slip of the tongue. I apologize.
A noun form of 言い間違える, suitable for polite contexts when you simply said the wrong word.
先ほどは言い間違いをして失礼しました。
I apologize for my slip of the tongue earlier.
The most natural way to say your tongue slipped and you let something out.
口が滑って秘密をばらしちゃった。
I let my tongue slip and gave away the secret.
Means to carelessly say something, often a secret or something better left unsaid.
うっかり口にしてしまって、後悔している。
I let it slip out and now I regret it.