Translation guide
The concept of a mismatch—when two or more things do not fit, correspond, or harmonize—can be expressed in Japanese through nouns, verbs, and adjectives that emphasize incompatibility, discrepancy, or unsuitability. The most common and versatile term is ミスマッチ, a loanword from English, but native Japanese expressions like 不一致 and 不釣り合い are also frequently used depending on the context.
Expressing that two things do not go well together or are not suitable for each other, in a broad sense.
A direct loanword from English, widely used in both casual and formal contexts to describe a mismatch in various domains such as fashion, relationships, skills and jobs, or design.
その服の組み合わせはミスマッチだ。
That outfit combination is a mismatch.
彼の能力と仕事の内容にミスマッチがある。
There is a mismatch between his abilities and the job content.
A formal noun meaning 'disagreement' or 'discrepancy'. Often used in technical, business, or academic contexts to indicate a lack of alignment between data, opinions, or conditions.
データに不一致が見つかった。
A mismatch was found in the data.
両者の意見には不一致がある。
There is a mismatch between their opinions.
Describes a lack of balance or proportion, often implying that one thing is too good or too poor for the other. Commonly used for relationships, marriages, or pairings where there is an imbalance in status, appearance, or quality.
あのカップルは不釣り合いだ。
That couple is mismatched.
彼の給料は彼のスキルに不釣り合いだ。
His salary is a mismatch for his skills.
The negative form of 合う (to fit/match), meaning 'does not fit' or 'is not suitable'. A very common and versatile verb used in everyday speech for any kind of mismatch.
この靴は私の足に合わない。
These shoes don't fit my feet (are a mismatch).
彼とは性格が合わない。
My personality doesn't match his (we are mismatched).
Specifically describing two people who are not well-suited as a couple or partners.
Literally 'compatibility is bad'. The most natural way to say two people are mismatched in terms of personality, chemistry, or overall fit.
私たちは相性が悪いみたい。
It seems we are mismatched (as a couple).
彼女とは相性が悪くて、すぐ喧嘩になる。
I'm mismatched with her; we quickly end up fighting.
When something does not meet expectations or there is a gap between what was hoped for and what actually is.
Loanword meaning 'gap' or 'discrepancy'. Often used to describe a mismatch between image and reality, or between different aspects of something.
彼の普段の姿とステージ上の姿にはギャップがある。
There is a mismatch between his usual self and his stage persona.
期待と現実のギャップに驚いた。
I was surprised by the mismatch between expectations and reality.
A noun meaning 'gap', 'discrepancy', or 'deviation'. Often used for subtle mismatches in perception, timing, or understanding.
Used in computing, engineering, or formal analysis when components, data types, or specifications do not align.
The standard term for 'mismatch' in technical documentation, error messages, and formal reports.
型の不一致によりエラーが発生しました。
An error occurred due to a type mismatch.
バージョンの不一致が問題を引き起こした。
A version mismatch caused the problem.
Also used in technical contexts, but slightly less formal than 不一致. Common in IT and business.
ミスマッチ is the most versatile and commonly used in everyday language for any kind of mismatch. 不一致 is formal and often used for data, opinions, or technical discrepancies. 不釣り合い implies an imbalance in quality or status, often with a negative judgment about suitability, especially in relationships or pairings.
Do not use 間違い (mistake/error) to translate 'mismatch'. 間違い implies an error or something incorrect, whereas a mismatch is about incompatibility or lack of fit, not necessarily a mistake.
As above, but especially common for couples where there is a perceived gap in attractiveness, social status, or age.
周りから見ると、あの二人は不釣り合いだ。
From the outside, those two are mismatched.
We need to correct the mismatch in perception.
スキルと仕事のミスマッチが生産性を下げる。
A mismatch between skills and job lowers productivity.