How to say "wrong" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 不可ふかno-adjective, na-adjective, noun (suffix)Covers 'wrong' in the sense of improper, bad, or unjustifiable: it declares that something is not acceptable, as when a proposed action or plan is ruled out.
- 邪よこしまna-adjective, nounCovers 'wrong' as wicked or evil: a moral condemnation of someone's heart or motives, not a way to say that an answer or idea is incorrect.
- 無法むほうnounCovers 'wrong' as lawlessness or injustice: outrageous conduct that defies the rules. It is not the word for an ordinary mistake or for being merely incorrect.
- 見当違いけんとうちがいna-adjective, nounCovers 'wrong' specifically of a guess or estimate: something misdirected, irrelevant, or off the point. Use it when a prediction or assumption misses the mark, not for moral wrongdoing.
- expressionCovers 'wrong' meaning not good or of no use: a mild way to say something is not right, as when telling someone their behavior is not good. Usually written in kana alone.
For a wrong guess or estimate use 「見当違い」; for something not good or of no use use 「いけません」; 不可 labels conduct improper or unjustifiable, 邪 condemns it as wicked, and 無法 refers to lawless, outrageous injustice.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
This browser can't play pronunciations (needs Safari 18.4 or later, or Chrome / Edge / Firefox).
