How do you say "I made a mistake" in Japanese?

Quick use

Use まちがえました (machigaemashita) when you wrote the wrong thing, chose the wrong option, or gave the wrong answer.

It tells the staff member that you need to correct something.

Chunk or pattern

This is a fixed phrase.

Learn it as one line first. It is short and useful when you feel rushed.

Core words

• まちがえました: I made a mistake / I got it wrong.

Helper words and endings

A light contrast can help:

• まちがえます = I make a mistake
• まちがえました = I made a mistake

ました (mashita) makes it past, but you do not need a full conjugation lesson here.

Practical note

After this, you can point to the part and ask もういちどかいてもいいですか (mou ichido kaite mo ii desu ka) if you need to write it again.