まごうことなき

Meanings

expression, pre-noun adjectival

usually written using kana alone

Pre-noun adjectival phrase meaning something is clearly and undeniably the case; often used for emphasis before nouns like 本物, 証拠, or 事実.

それはまごうことなき本ほん物もののダイヤモンドだ。
That is an unmistakably genuine diamond.
彼かれの言こと葉ばにはまごうことなき真しん実じつが込こめられていた。
His words contained unquestionable truth.

Kanji

紛distract, be mistaken for, go astray
事matter, thing, fact
無nothingness, none, ain't

Related words

紛まごう
The verb 紛う means 'to be mistaken for' or 'to be confused with'; まごうことなき is its negative form used as a set phrase meaning 'without mistaking'.
間ま違ちがいない
More common and versatile; まごうことなき is more literary and emphatic, often used in formal or dramatic contexts.

Written forms

紛まごうことなき
Kanji spelling using 紛う; less common but still encountered.
まごう事ことなき
Mixed kana-kanji spelling with 事.
紛う事なき
- まごうことなき
  Kanji spelling with 紛う and 事; rare.
- まがうことなき
紛う事無き
- まごうことなき
  Kanji spelling with 紛う, 事, and 無; rare.
- まがうことなき
まごう事こと無なき
Mixed kana-kanji spelling with 事 and 無; rare.
紛うこと無き
- まごうことなき
  Kanji spelling with 紛う and 無; rare.
- まがうことなき
まがうことなき

Etymology

From the verb 紛う (まごう, 'to be mistaken for') in its negative form 紛うことなし, with the classical attributive form なき modifying a noun. The phrase literally means 'there is no mistaking'.