ご愛嬌 (goaikyou) Meaning “Charming Mistake” in Japanese

General Definition of 愛嬌 (aikyou)

愛嬌 (あいきょう, aikyou) is a standard Japanese word that means “charm”, “loveliness” or “cuteness”. It is usually used as “愛嬌がある” or “愛嬌のある” meaning “(someone is) charming/lovely”. For instance, “愛嬌がある女おんなの子こ” means “a charming/lovely girl” and “愛嬌のある笑顔えがお” means “a charming/lovely smile”.

Idiomatic Expression: ご愛嬌 (go-aikyou)

When the polite prefix “ご” is attached before 愛嬌, it has a different meaning: “a charming mistake/flaw”, i.e. “a forgivable and insignificant mistake/flaw”. It is usually used as an idiomatic expression, “ご愛嬌ということで” meaning “Please think of something as a charming mistake”. People often use this expression when they mention their insignificant flaws or mistakes in a humble way, e.g. “たまに写真しゃしんが少すこしぼやけているのは、ご愛嬌ということで”  means “Sometimes, the pictures are a little blurry. Please think of these as charming mistakes.”

Sometimes, people also say this phrase to calm someone who is a little annoyed by naughty children. In this case, the phrase means “Please forgive their behaviour and think of them as charming”.

Example Sentences

Ex1:
愛嬌がある奥おくさんですね
Your wife is very charming

Ex2:
記事きじに少すこし誤字ごじがあるのは、ご愛嬌ということで。
There are some typos in the article. Please think of them as a charming mistake.

Ex3:
A: あのガキうるせえな
B: まあまあ、ご愛嬌ということで
A: That brat is so noisy.
B: Hey don’t say it! Just forgive their naughty behaviour and think of them as charming.

(note) ガキ is a derogatory term for kids.

Synonyms: 可愛かわいらしさ (cuteness)
Synonyms in English: charm, loveliness
Related words and phrases: ご愛嬌ということで (please think of something as a charming mistake/flaw)