Translation guide
How to say that someone mispronounced a word or name in Japanese. The most common expressions are 言い間違える and 発音を間違える. For names, 読み間違える is often used.
To say that someone pronounced a word incorrectly in general.
The most direct and common way to say 'mispronounce'. Literally 'to mistake the pronunciation'.
彼はよく英単語の発音を間違える。
He often mispronounces English words.
To say that someone read a word or name incorrectly, often due to kanji readings.
To describe a momentary mistake in pronunciation, like a slip of the tongue.
発音を間違える focuses on the pronunciation itself (the sounds). 言い間違える focuses on saying the wrong word or making a verbal mistake. For mispronouncing a name, both can be used, but 言い間違える is more common for saying a similar but wrong name.
「ありがとう」の発音を間違えた。
I mispronounced 'arigatou'.
「田中」を「田仲」と言い間違えた。
I mistakenly said 'Tanaka' as 'Tanaka' (a different name).
The word 誤発音 (ごはつおん) exists as a noun meaning 'mispronunciation', but the verb 誤発音する is very rare and sounds unnatural. Use 発音を間違える instead.
Sorry, I mispronounced it.
A common verb meaning 'to say something wrong' or 'to mispronounce'. Often used for slips of the tongue or saying a similar-sounding word by mistake.
緊張して、名前を言い間違えてしまった。
I got nervous and mispronounced the name.
「橋」と「箸」を言い間違えないように気をつけて。
Be careful not to mispronounce 'hashi' (bridge) and 'hashi' (chopsticks).
A slightly more formal or explanatory way to say 'to make an incorrect pronunciation'.
その単語を間違った発音で覚えてしまった。
I learned that word with the wrong pronunciation.
Specifically means 'to misread' or 'to read incorrectly'. Commonly used for misreading kanji names or words.
この漢字を読み間違えやすい。
This kanji is easy to misread.
すみません、お名前を読み間違えました。
Sorry, I misread your name.
Literally 'to mistake the way of reading'. A more roundabout way to say 'misread'.
この漢字の読み方を間違えてしまった。
I misread this kanji.
Means 'to say something incorrectly' or 'to misspeak'. Can imply a slip of the tongue or failure to say something correctly.
早口で言い損なってしまった。
I spoke too fast and mispronounced it.
Literally 'to bite'. Slang for stumbling over words or mispronouncing due to nervousness or speed.
緊張して、最初の言葉を噛んじゃった。
I got nervous and stumbled over the first word.