Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.
的外れ (まとはずれ) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
na-adjective, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no', noun
off the mark ; off base ; misdirected ; irrelevant
Describes a remark, action, or idea that misses the intended point or is not pertinent to the matter at hand. Often used in criticism or self-deprecation.
質しつ
問もん
を
し
て
しまっ
た
。
I ended up asking an irrelevant question.
Written forms 的まと 外はず れ Usage 65%
Standard kanji spelling; high frequency in news and common usage.
的まと はずれ Usage 32%
Mixed kanji-kana spelling, also encountered but less common than 的外れ.
まとはずれ Usage 3%
Kanji 的 bull's eye, mark, target Similar words 見けん 当とう 違ちが い 見当違い also means 'off the mark' but emphasizes a mistaken guess or misdirected effort, while 的外れ focuses on missing the essential point or being irrelevant.
ピント 外はず れ ピント外れ is similar but more colloquial and often used for something out of focus or slightly off, whereas 的外れ is broader and can be used in formal contexts.
Etymology Compound of 的 (mato, 'target') and 外れ (hazure, 'miss, deviation'), literally 'missing the target'. The figurative sense of being off the point or irrelevant developed naturally from the literal meaning.
