Bound form used in compounds and as a prefix; not a standalone noun in modern Japanese. Appears in words like 誤字 (misprint), 誤解 (misunderstanding), and 誤差 (margin of error).
誤 is not used alone; it is combined with other kanji as in 誤字 (misprint) or 誤解 (misunderstanding).
誤 (mistake) and 語 (word/language) share the identical reading ご but have completely unrelated meanings, so learners must rely on the kanji and compound context to tell them apart.
misunderstanding; misinterpretation
misprint; typo; erroneous character
error; measurement error; calculation error
misrecognition; mistaking (one thing for another)
mistake; error; discrepancy · discrepancy between actions and intentions
false report; misinformation; false alarm
misprint; typographical error; typo
miscalculation; wrong estimate; mistaken assumption
accidental bombing; friendly fire; wrong-target attack
Sino-Japanese bound morpheme meaning 'mistake' or 'error', used in numerous compounds. The kanji 誤 is composed of 言 (speech) and 呉 (give), suggesting a meaning of 'mistaken words'.
misuse; incorrect use; abuse; malapropism
mistranslation; translation error
mistake; error · fallacy
misreading; misinterpretation
mistake; error; fault
misjudgment; wrong decision
misdiagnosis; wrong diagnosis
malfunction; faulty operation
erroneous entry; misentry; slip of the pen; writing down wrongly
correctness; right or wrong; accuracy · correction of errors; errata
incorrect operation; wrong handling; operating error
misjudgment; erroneous judgment; miscarriage of justice
sending to the wrong person; mistakenly sent message · transmission of incorrect information; incorrect transmission
be confused; be flustered; be at a loss · loiter; hang around; wander around
misinformation; incorrect report
mistaken belief; erroneous belief; fallacy; misconception
copying error; mistake in transcription
pulmonary aspiration; swallowing down the wrong pipe
accidental shooting; friendly fire
misleading; misdirecting; manipulation
ungrammatical sentence