Translation guide
How to express making a mistake in Japanese, from simple errors to serious blunders.
To say you made a mistake in a general sense, like an error in work, school, or daily life.
The most common and versatile verb for making a mistake. It can be used for factual errors, misjudgments, or doing something incorrectly.
A loanword from English 'miss', used as a suru-verb. Common in business and casual contexts for a slip-up or error.
書類にミスがあった。
There was a mistake in the documents.
またミスしちゃった。
I made a mistake again.
A more formal or literary verb for making an error. Often used in written language or official apologies.
判断を誤った。
I made an error in judgment.
To express a significant failure, blunder, or mess-up, often with a sense of regret.
Means to fail or make a mistake, often with a connotation of a blunder or an unsuccessful attempt. Very common.
A colloquial verb meaning to mess up or do something stupid. Often used among friends.
またやらかした。
I messed up again.
Slang for failing or botching something, often with a nuance of personal disappointment.
To describe a minor, often careless mistake like a typo or oversight.
A common phrase combining 'carelessly' and 'mistake'. Used for absent-minded errors.
うっかりミスで書類を間違えた。
I made a careless mistake with the documents.
To refer to a slip of the tongue or a typo.
Specifically means to say something incorrectly or misspeak.
名前を言い間違えた。
I said the name wrong.
Means to write something incorrectly, like a typo or wrong character.
住所を書き間違えた。
I wrote the address wrong.
Means to make a typing mistake. Common in digital contexts.
パスワードを打ち間違えた。
I mistyped the password.
間違える focuses on the error itself (wrong answer, wrong action), while 失敗する emphasizes the failure or unsuccessful outcome. You can 間違える without 失敗する (e.g., a typo), but 失敗する often implies a more significant consequence.
答えを間違えたが、試験には合格した。
I got the answer wrong, but I passed the exam.
事業に失敗した。
The business venture failed.
ミス is typically for minor, everyday errors. For major failures or life mistakes, use 失敗 or other stronger terms.
大事なプレゼンでしくじった。
I blew the important presentation.
Wasei-eigo for 'careless mistake'. Very common in school and work contexts.
テストでケアレスミスが多かった。
I made a lot of careless mistakes on the test.