Translation guide
The English word "lost" covers several distinct situations: being physically lost, losing an item, losing a game or competition, and more abstract senses like being absorbed in thought. This guide breaks down these meanings and provides natural Japanese expressions for each.
Expressing that you don't know where you are or how to get to your destination.
Used for a person (especially a child) who is lost or separated from their group. Can also be used for adults in a self-deprecating way.
私は迷子になりました。
I got lost.
迷子の子供が泣いています。
A lost child is crying.
Literally 'to lose the road'. The most common way to say you are lost or have lost your way.
すみません、道に迷ってしまいました。
Excuse me, I've gotten lost.
山で道に迷わないように気をつけてください。
Be careful not to get lost in the mountains.
A general verb meaning 'to be lost' or 'to be unable to decide'. When used for location, it implies being lost or unsure of the way.
駅の中で迷ってしまった。
I got lost inside the station.
Describing an object that is missing or cannot be located.
Transitive verb meaning 'to lose something'. Use this when you have lost an item.
財布をなくしました。
I lost my wallet.
鍵をなくしてしまった。
I've lost my keys.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to be lost' or 'to go missing'. Focuses on the item's disappearance.
Formal noun meaning 'loss' or 'missing'. Often used in official contexts like reporting a lost item.
Expressing that you lost a match, game, or contest.
The standard verb for losing a game, fight, or competition.
昨日の試合に負けました。
We lost yesterday's game.
じゃんけんで負けた。
I lost at rock-paper-scissors.
Formal noun meaning 'defeat'. Used in news or serious contexts.
Describing a state of being so engrossed in something that you lose awareness of your surroundings.
Literally 'while thinking about things'. Often used to explain why you didn't notice something or got lost in thought.
考え事をしていて、電車を乗り過ごした。
I was lost in thought and missed my train stop.
To be absorbed or immersed in something. Often used for hobbies or work.
彼は読書に没頭している。
He is lost in a book.
To be crazy about or completely absorbed in something. Slightly more emotional than 没頭する.
ゲームに夢中になって、時間を忘れた。
I got lost in the game and lost track of time.
Describing something that has disappeared, been destroyed, or is no longer accessible.
To lose something abstract or important, such as a job, trust, or a loved one.
彼は仕事を失った。
He lost his job.
希望を失わないでください。
Don't lose hope.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to disappear' or 'to be gone'. Can be used for things that are lost or used up.
Expressing that you don't understand something or are mentally lost.
Literally 'to become not understanding'. Common way to say you are lost or confused in a conversation or explanation.
話が複雑で、途中でわからなくなった。
The story was complicated and I got lost in the middle.
To be confused or disoriented. Stronger than わからなくなる.
あまりに多くの情報で混乱してしまった。
I got lost with so much information.
なくす is transitive (someone loses something), while なくなる is intransitive (something is lost/goes missing). Use なくす when you are the one who lost it, and なくなる when the item simply disappeared.
私は財布をなくした。
I lost my wallet.
財布がなくなった。
My wallet is lost.
迷子 (maigo) is only for lost people, especially children. Do not use it for lost items. For items, use なくす or なくなる.
財布がなくなった。
My wallet is lost/gone.
パスポートを紛失した場合は、すぐに届け出てください。
If you lose your passport, please report it immediately.
チームは敗北を認めた。
The team admitted defeat.
貯金がなくなった。
My savings are gone (lost).