How to Use Chigau (違う) Correctly in Japanese

Have you ever been in a conversation with a Japanese speaker and needed to express disagreement or point out a difference, but weren’t sure how? The versatile Japanese verb chigau (違う) is your answer. This fundamental verb is one of the first words many Japanese learners master, and for good reason—it appears constantly in everyday speech and can express various meanings beyond its basic definition of “to differ.”

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about chigau—from its various meanings and conjugations to practical examples and cultural nuances that will elevate your Japanese communication skills.

What Does Chigau Mean? Understanding Its Core Meaning

The Japanese verb chigau (違う) primarily means “to differ” or “to be different,” but its usage extends far beyond this simple translation. In everyday Japanese conversation, chigau serves multiple purposes:

1. Indicating difference between objects, people, or concepts
2. Expressing disagreement or denial
3. Correcting mistakes or misconceptions
4. Indicating that something is wrong or incorrect

This versatility makes chigau one of the most practical verbs you’ll learn in your Japanese studies. The kanji 違 (used in chigau) contains the meaning of “difference” or “discrepancy,” which helps remember its core meaning.

Just as we explored the nuances of Japanese pitch accent in our previous guide, understanding the subtleties of chigau will significantly enhance your communication skills.

Chigau Conjugations: Mastering Its Different Forms

Chigau is a godan (五段) or Type I verb, which means it follows specific conjugation patterns. Here are the essential forms you should know:

Learning these conjugations allows you to use chigau appropriately in various contexts and grammatical structures, similar to how we discussed adapting greetings in our guide to saying Merry Christmas in Japanese.

5 Common Ways to Use Chigau in Everyday Japanese

Let’s explore the most frequent uses of chigau with practical example sentences:

1. Expressing That Something Is Different

Example:

• 日本語と中国語は違います。
• Nihongo to chūgokugo wa chigaimasu.
• Japanese and Chinese are different.

When to use this: When comparing two or more things and highlighting their differences.

2. Saying “No” or “That’s Wrong”

Example:

• 「彼は先生ですか？」「いいえ、違います。彼は学生です。」
• “Kare wa sensei desu ka?” “Iie, chigaimasu. Kare wa gakusei desu.”
• “Is he a teacher?” “No, that’s incorrect. He is a student.”

When to use this: As a direct way to contradict or correct someone’s statement.

3. Correcting a Misunderstanding

Example:

• それは違うと思います。正しくは…
• Sore wa chigau to omoimasu. Tadashiku wa…
• I think that’s incorrect. The correct way is…

When to use this: When politely pointing out an error or misunderstanding.

4. Indicating a Mistake

Example:

• あっ、違った！会議は10時からだった。
• A, chigatta! Kaigi wa jū-ji kara datta.
• Oh, I was wrong! The meeting was from 10 o’clock.

When to use this: When realizing your own mistake.

5. Expressing Something Is Not Right

Example:

• なんか違う気がする。
• Nanka chigau ki ga suru.
• Something feels off/wrong.

When to use this: When something doesn’t feel right but you can’t pinpoint exactly what.

Chigau vs. Similar Japanese Words

Understanding how chigau differs from similar terms will help you choose the right word for each situation:

Chigau vs. Machigau (間違う)

While both relate to being incorrect:

• Chigau (違う): Emphasizes difference or discrepancy
• Machigau (間違う): Specifically means “to make a mistake”

Example contrast:

• これは違います。(Kore wa chigaimasu.) – This is different/incorrect.
• 私が間違えました。(Watashi ga machigaemashita.) – I made a mistake.

Chigau vs. Kotonaru (異なる)

Both indicate difference, but:

• Chigau (違う): More casual, general differences
• Kotonaru (異なる): More formal, emphasizes fundamental differences

Example contrast:

• 彼と私の意見は違う。(Kare to watashi no iken wa chigau.) – His opinion and mine differ.
• 両社の方針は根本的に異なる。(Ryōsha no hōshin wa konponteki ni kotonaru.) – The policies of both companies are fundamentally different.

This distinction is somewhat similar to the nuances we explored in what “domo” means in different contexts, where a single word carries different meanings depending on usage.

Cultural Notes on Using Chigau

The way chigau is used reflects important aspects of Japanese communication culture:

Direct vs. Indirect Disagreement

In Japanese culture, directly contradicting someone can sometimes be considered impolite. When using chigau to disagree:

• More direct: 違います (Chigaimasu) – That’s wrong/different.
• More indirect: それはちょっと違うかもしれません (Sore wa chotto chigau kamo shiremasen) – That might be a little different.

The indirect form is often preferred in professional or formal settings to maintain harmony.

Body Language When Using Chigau

When saying chigau to disagree:

• A slight head shake may accompany the word
• Crossing arms in an X shape in front of you is a common gesture meaning “wrong” or “different”
• A softer tone is used when correcting someone of higher status

Understanding these cultural nuances is just as important as knowing the word itself, much like how we discussed the cultural aspects of Japanese father in law relationships in our family terminology guide.

Practical Tips for Using Chigau Correctly

To master the use of chigau in various situations, keep these tips in mind:

1. Consider the formality level
   • With friends: 違うよ (Chigau yo) – casual, direct
   • With teachers/bosses: 違います (Chigaimasu) – polite, respectful
2. Soften disagreements when necessary
   • Add ちょっと (chotto) before chigau to soften the correction
   • Use かもしれません (kamo shiremasen – “might be”) to be less direct
3. Use appropriate tone
   • A rising intonation can make chigau sound like a question
   • A firm, flat tone makes it a stronger correction
4. Combine with explanation
   • Follow chigau with the correct information using …です (…desu)
   • Add から (kara – “because”) to explain your reasoning

Just as we explained the different contexts for how to say bee in Japanese, these subtle variations in how you use chigau can significantly impact your communication effectiveness.

Common Expressions and Phrases with Chigau

Beyond basic usage, chigau appears in several useful Japanese expressions:

1. 全然違う (Zenzen chigau) – Completely different/wrong
   • 彼の説明は全然違う。
   • Kare no setsumei wa zenzen chigau.
   • His explanation is completely wrong.
2. 違いがある (Chigai ga aru) – There is a difference
   • 日本とアメリカの文化には大きな違いがある。
   • Nihon to Amerika no bunka ni wa ōkina chigai ga aru.
   • There are big differences between Japanese and American cultures.
3. 違和感がある (Iwakan ga aru) – Something feels off
   • この翻訳には違和感がある。
   • Kono hon’yaku ni wa iwakan ga aru.
   • This translation feels off/unnatural.
4. 違うだろう (Chigau darō) – That’s wrong, isn’t it?
   • 彼がやったんじゃない、違うだろう？
   • Kare ga yatta n ja nai, chigau darō?
   • He didn’t do it, right?

Conclusion: Mastering Chigau for Better Japanese Communication

Understanding the various uses and nuances of chigau will significantly enhance your Japanese communication abilities. From expressing differences to politely correcting misconceptions, this versatile verb is essential for natural, effective Japanese conversation.

As you continue your Japanese learning journey, pay attention to how native speakers use chigau in different contexts. Notice the tone, accompanying phrases, and social situations where it appears to deepen your understanding of this fundamental verb.

For more comprehensive Japanese language resources, including detailed grammar guides and vocabulary lists, visit our Learn Japanese page where you can access our free guides designed to help you master Japanese naturally and effectively.

FAQ: Common Questions About Chigau

What is the basic meaning of chigau?

The basic meaning of chigau (違う) is “to differ” or “to be different,” but it’s commonly used to say “that’s wrong” or “no” in conversational Japanese.

How do I say “you’re wrong” politely in Japanese?

A polite way to say “you’re wrong” is “それは違います” (Sore wa chigaimasu) or more softly, “それはちょっと違うと思います” (Sore wa chotto chigau to omoimasu – “I think that’s a bit different”).

Can chigau be used to say “no” in Japanese?

Yes, chigau is commonly used as an informal way to say “no” or to contradict someone, though it’s more direct than the standard “いいえ” (iie).

What’s the difference between chigau and machigau?

While both relate to incorrectness, chigau (違う) emphasizes that something is different or not as expected, while machigau (間違う) specifically means “to make a mistake.”

How do I conjugate chigau in the past tense?

The past tense of chigau is chigatta (違った) in casual form and chigaimashita (違いました) in polite form.

Is chigau considered rude in Japanese?

When used bluntly, chigau can sound abrupt or rude. It’s often softened with phrases like ちょっと (chotto – “a little”) or by using the more polite form 違います (chigaimasu) in formal situations.