Misconstrue Meaning in English
word
mɪskənˈstɹu
mis-kuhn-STROO
mɪskənstɹˈuː
mis-kuhn-STROO
Definition
To interpret or understand something incorrectly, especially what someone says or means.
Usage & Nuances
Formal and often used in both speech and writing. Commonly followed by 'someone's words,' 'intentions,' or 'meaning.' Do not confuse with 'misunderstand,' which is more general; 'misconstrue' often implies a more specific or unnatural misinterpretation.
Spanish: malinterpretar - entender malPortuguese (BR): interpretar mal - entender erradoPortuguese (PT): interpretar mal - entender malChinese (Simplified): 误解Chinese (Traditional): 誤解Hindi: गलत समझनाArabic: أساء الفهمBengali: ভুলভাবে ব্যাখ্যা করা - ভুল বুঝাRussian: неправильно истолковать - неверно понятьJapanese: 誤解する - 曲解するVietnamese: hiểu sai - diễn giải saiKorean: 오해하다 - 잘못 해석하다Turkish: yanlış yorumlamak - yanlış anlamakUrdu: غلط مطلب نکالنا - غلط سمجھناIndonesian: menafsirkan secara salah - salah memahami
Example Sentences
It's easy to misconstrue what someone says in a text message.
basic
Please don't misconstrue my intentions.
basic
She didn't mean to be rude—you misconstrued her words.
basic
I think you might have misconstrued what I was trying to say there.
natural
He tends to misconstrue comments as criticism, even if they're not.
natural
Don’t misconstrue her quietness as a lack of interest—she’s just shy.
natural