Meaning

Primary

To Make A Mistake

Alternatives

To Confuse, To Mistake

Word Type

transitive verb, ichidan verb

Explanation

Remember how 間違い means "a mistake?" Well this is the verb version. It means to make a mistake, to confuse, or to mistake.

This verb is transitive. That means that it takes a direct object. Bear in mind that this one is a bit tricky, though, because although it's transitive in Japanese, the English translation will sometimes be intransitive.

Reading

まちがえる
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

It's read the same as 間違い! Nice and easy!

Context

Context Sentences

こんな簡単な問題を間違えるなんて、悔しいよ。

Making a mistake on such a simple question is so frustrating.

すいません、友人と間違えてしまいました。

Excuse me, I mistook you for a friend.

間違えて他人の児童手当が私の銀行に振りこまれていたみたいです。

It seems that someone else's child allowance was deposited into my bank by mistake.

Kanji Composition