All German word comparisons · Back to the topic overview
Meaning, sentence patterns and examples
| Word | Core meaning | Typical context | Grammar |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fehler | error; mistake; fault | Incorrect results, decisions or defects | Der Fehler; plural die Fehler. The nominative plural looks like the singular, but dative plural adds -n: mit Fehlern. Useful phrases: einen Fehler machen, einen Fehler korrigieren, ein Fehler im Text. |
| Irrtum | misconception; mistaken judgement | A belief or conclusion that turns out wrong | Der Irrtum; plural die Irrtümer. Remember both the umlaut and -er. Useful phrases: im Irrtum sein, einem Irrtum unterliegen, einen Irrtum aufklären. In im Irrtum, in takes dative. |
Fehler
Meaning and usage: Fehler covers incorrect language, calculations, decisions and defects in products. Einen Fehler machen is a general way to acknowledge doing something wrong. Das war mein Fehler often means that was my fault, taking responsibility rather than analyzing a false belief. A Fehler can be caused by misunderstanding, inattention or another reason; the word does not require you to know the cause.
Grammar: Der Fehler; plural die Fehler. The nominative plural looks like the singular, but dative plural adds -n: mit Fehlern. Useful phrases: einen Fehler machen, einen Fehler korrigieren, ein Fehler im Text.
Im Satz ist ein Fehler bei der Verbform.
There is an error in the verb form in the sentence.
Es war ein Fehler, so spät loszufahren.
It was a mistake to set off so late.
Irrtum
Meaning and usage: Irrtum focuses on being mistaken about something. You may think a price includes delivery or believe an appointment is today; correcting that belief removes the Irrtum. It can also cover an erroneous action, so do not define it as thought only. Im Irrtum sein is a common phrase for being mistaken; it differs from saying that you are lying.
Grammar: Der Irrtum; plural die Irrtümer. Remember both the umlaut and -er. Useful phrases: im Irrtum sein, einem Irrtum unterliegen, einen Irrtum aufklären. In im Irrtum, in takes dative.
Ich dachte, der Laden sei geöffnet. Das war ein Irrtum.
I thought the shop was open. That was a mistaken assumption.
Wenn du glaubst, dass alles kostenlos ist, bist du im Irrtum.
If you believe everything is free, you are mistaken.
Overlap and context
An Irrtum can lead to a Fehler: you misunderstand the meeting time, then arrive late. The late arrival and the wrong assumption are related but different perspectives. Some sentences allow either word, especially when a mistaken decision is the topic. Do not assume Fehler is always careless and Irrtum always innocent; those judgements need evidence from the situation.
Common mistakes
- For a simple typo, Fehler is the ordinary broad choice; Irrtum suggests a mistaken idea or judgement.
- The plurals differ: Fehler stays unchanged in nominative, while Irrtum becomes Irrtümer.
- Calling something an Irrtum does not by itself mean that no harm was caused.
Memory aid: Fehler asks what was wrong; Irrtum asks what was wrongly taken to be right. Use the questions as a guide, while allowing overlap for mistaken actions.
Try it
Choose the usual word: In diesem Diktat habe ich drei ___ gemacht.
Show the answer
Fehler
The sentence counts incorrect written results; Fehler is the natural general term.