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道Nihongo Path
違

違·differ, be wrong, violate

On-yomi
イ
Kun-yomi
ちがうちがえる

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.

13 strokes, numbered in writing order. Data: KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0).

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
違うちがうto differ, to be wrong
間違いまちがいmistake
違反いはんviolation (of a rule or law)
勘違いかんちがいmisunderstanding, getting the wrong idea

Example sentences

  1. その答えは違います。

    そのこたえはちがいます。

    That answer is wrong.

  2. 電話番号を間違えました。

    でんわばんごうをまちがえました。

    I got the phone number wrong.

  3. スピード違反で止められました。

    すぴーどいはんでとめられました。

    I was pulled over for speeding.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Saying 違いです — 違う is a verb, so it is 違います
  • Mixing 間違える (transitive: to make a mistake with something) and 間違う / 間違っている (to be mistaken)

Memory aid

Picture it

Two feet walking away from each other along a road (辶) — they end up in different places.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 違 mean?