ちがいます

chigaimasu
verbBeginner
formal

to be different; to differ

この本とあの本はちがいます。

This book and that book are different.

意見がちがいます。

Our opinions differ.

💡

Used to indicate a difference between two things or people. The negative form is 'ちがいません' (not different).

informal

to be wrong; to be incorrect

答えがちがいます。

The answer is wrong.

あなたの考えはちがいます。

You're wrong about that.

💡

In informal contexts, this can mean that someone is mistaken or incorrect.

Collocations

ちがうto be differentちがいないmust beちがいがないto be no difference

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Phrases

ちがいphrase
difference
ちがうphrase
to differ

💡Pro Tip

Polite Form

'ちがいます' is the polite form of '違う'. Use it in formal situations or when speaking to someone you respect.

Gold Rule

Negative Form

The negative form 'ちがいません' means 'not different' or 'not wrong'.

📖Word Origin

Derived from the verb '違う' (chigau), which means 'to differ' or 'to be wrong'. The polite form is '違います' (chigaimasu).

📝Usage Notes

The verb 'ちがいます' is the polite form of '違う' and is commonly used in formal and polite contexts. The negative form 'ちがいません' means 'not different' or 'not wrong'.

Word Breakdown

difference
root
+
indicates the subject
particle
+
います
polite verb ending
suffix
和英辞典