すれ違い
Meanings
Physical act of two people or things moving past each other, often in opposite directions.
It's hard to pass each other on the narrow road.
missing each other; failing to meet
When two people intend to meet but miss each other due to timing or location; often used with ~になる.
I missed him at the station and couldn't meet him.
cross purposes; discrepancy; disagreement
Figurative use: when people's intentions, opinions, or communications fail to align; often implies a misunderstanding or mismatch.
Our conversation got crossed and we misunderstood each other.
Usage patterns
- 〈人〉とすれ違いになるto miss meeting someone
I ended up missing my friend at the station.
- 気持ちのすれ違いa gap in feelings between people
There was a rift in feelings between the two of them.
- すれ違いが生じるfor a disconnect or discrepancy to arise
A disconnect arose from a lack of communication.
- すれ違いを解消するto resolve a misalignment or rift
We talked it out and resolved our misunderstanding.
Expressions
- すれ違いざまwhile passing each other