misunderstanding
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misunderstanding
A situation in which a statement or action is understood differently from how it was intended.
Seine ironische Bemerkung führte zu einem großen Missverständnis.
His ironic comment led to a major misunderstanding.
misunderstanding
A disagreement or minor argument based on a wrong interpretation.
Wir hatten ein kleines Missverständnis, aber wir haben uns schnell wieder vertragen.
We had a small misunderstanding, but we quickly made up again.
The word is made up of the prefix 'miss-' and the noun 'Verständnis' (understanding). The prefix 'miss-' means 'wrong' or 'bad', so a 'Missverständnis' (misunderstanding) is literally a 'wrong understanding'.
Durch ein Missverständnis hat er den falschen Zug genommen.
Because of a misunderstanding, he took the wrong train.
Common verbs used with 'Missverständnis' (misunderstanding) are 'ein Missverständnis aufklären' (to clear up a misunderstanding) or 'ausräumen' (to resolve). You can also 'Missverständnisse vermeiden' (avoid misunderstandings) or say that something 'auf einem Missverständnis beruht' (is based on a misunderstanding).
Wir müssen dieses Missverständnis so schnell wie möglich aufklären.
We need to clear up this misunderstanding as quickly as possible.
A very common phrase for clarifying a situation is: 'Es handelt sich um ein Missverständnis.' (It is a misunderstanding.) This expresses that something was interpreted incorrectly.
Nein, ich bin nicht böse. Es handelt sich nur um ein Missverständnis.
No, I'm not angry. It's just a misunderstanding.
The combination 'ein kleines Missverständnis' (a small misunderstanding) is often used to describe a minor disagreement or small argument that can be resolved quickly.
Wegen eines kleinen Missverständnisses haben sie kurz nicht miteinander gesprochen.
Because of a small misunderstanding, they briefly stopped speaking to each other.
error / misconception
Irrtum and Missverständnis both involve a mistaken idea. An Irrtum can be any incorrect assessment, while a Missverständnis arises when a statement or action is understood differently from what was intended. For a mistake without communication, Irrtum is more appropriate; for words that were understood incorrectly, Missverständnis is more appropriate.
Das Missverständnis entstand, weil ich ihre Nachricht als Absage verstanden hatte.
The misunderstanding arose because I took her message as a cancellation.
Mein Irrtum war, dass ich den Termin im Kalender für Freitag eingetragen hatte.
My mistake was entering the appointment in my calendar for Friday.
