取とり違ちがえる

ichidan verb, transitive verb

mistake one thing for another; mix up; confuse

Used when physically or perceptually confusing two items, such as taking the wrong object or mixing up similar things.

• 傘かさを取とり違ちがえてしまった。

  I took the wrong umbrella by mistake.

• 似にた名な前まえの薬くすりを取とり違ちがえないように注ちゅう意いしてください。

  Please be careful not to mix up medicines with similar names.

ichidan verb, transitive verb

misunderstand; misapprehend

Refers to misunderstanding words, intentions, or meanings; less common than the physical mix-up sense.

• 彼かれの言こと葉ばの意い味みを取とり違ちがえて、怒おこらせてしまった。

  I misunderstood the meaning of his words and made him angry.