also: ゆきちがい
crossing without meeting; going astray
Describes two things (letters, people, messages) that pass each other without connecting, or something that goes to the wrong place. Often used in the phrase 行き違いになる.
手紙が行き違いになってしまった。
Our letters crossed in the mail.
彼と行き違いで会えなかった。
I missed him because we passed each other without meeting.
misunderstanding; disagreement; estrangement
Refers to a failure in communication or a clash of opinions that leads to a rift. Commonly used in interpersonal contexts.
ちょっとした行き違いで喧嘩になった。
A small misunderstanding led to a fight.
二人の間に行き違いが生じた。
A disagreement arose between the two of them.
It seems our letters crossed in the mail.
A misunderstanding arose between the two of them.
We talked it out and resolved the misunderstanding.
There was a misunderstanding with my boss, so things are a bit awkward.
Less common variant without the き okurigana; still encountered but not preferred.