違いない

ちがいない

(phrase) sure, no mistaking it, for certain

JLPT N3

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

"違いない" is a phrase used to express strong certainty or conviction about something. It means "there is no doubt" or "for sure." It is often used in spoken and written Japanese to emphasize that the speaker is confident about a fact or conclusion.

Common Contexts

You will often hear "違いない" in situations where the speaker wants to assert something as true without hesitation, such as identifying a culprit, confirming a fact, or expressing belief in someone's statement.

Collocations and Patterns

  • 「〜に違いない」: attaches to a noun or clause to mean "there is no doubt that ~".
  • Often used with verbs or adjectives in plain form before it, e.g., "彼は来るに違いない" (He will definitely come).

Register and Nuance

"違いない" is somewhat formal but common in everyday conversation and writing. It conveys strong confidence but is less casual than some other expressions like "きっと" (surely).

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse "違いない" with "違う" (to differ). Remember "違いない" is a fixed phrase meaning "no doubt," not a verb meaning "to be different." Use it to assert certainty, not to describe difference.

Example Sentences

かれがはんにんであることにちがいない。

There is no doubt that he is the culprit.

このもんだいはかんたんすぎて、まちがいがあるはずがちがいない。

This problem is too easy; there’s no way there could be a mistake.

かのじょのはなしはほんとうちがいないとおもうよ。

I think what she said is definitely true.