Usage and Nuance
The verb 間違える (まちがえる) means "to make a mistake" or "to get something wrong." It is commonly used in everyday situations where someone errs in actions, speech, or writing. This verb often implies an unintentional error.
Common Contexts
You will frequently hear 間違える when talking about mistakes in tests, phone numbers, directions, or identifying something incorrectly. For example, 間違える can describe pressing the wrong button, mishearing a word, or confusing two similar things.
Collocations and Patterns
- 間違える + object (e.g., 電話番号を間違える): to make a mistake with something specific.
- 間違えて + verb (e.g., 間違えて送る): to do something by mistake.
- 間違いをする: a noun form meaning "to make a mistake," often interchangeable but less common.
Register and Politeness
間違える is neutral and can be used in both casual and polite contexts. For more formal or written language, you might see 間違いをする or 間違いを犯す.
Common Learner Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse 間違える with 間違う (まちがう), which means "to be mistaken" or "to be wrong." 間違える is transitive (requires an object), while 間違う is intransitive. For example, 間違える is used as "答えを間違える" (to make a mistake in the answer), whereas 間違う is used as "答えが間違っている" (the answer is wrong).