Translation guide
The English word 'miss' covers several distinct ideas: failing to hit or reach a target, failing to catch or attend something, feeling the absence of someone or something, and noticing something is gone. This guide breaks down these meanings and gives natural Japanese expressions for each.
Express that a physical action (throwing, shooting, striking) did not connect with its intended target.
Transitive verb meaning to miss a target, often used when the subject intentionally aimed but failed. Can also mean to remove or take off.
Intransitive verb meaning to miss or go off target, often used when the focus is on the projectile or action itself rather than the agent. Also means to come off or be disconnected.
Literally 'does not hit', a common negative form of 当たる (to hit). Used to say something misses repeatedly or in general.
彼のパンチは全然当たらない。
His punches don't hit at all.
Loanword from English 'miss', used as a suru-verb. Common in sports and games, but can sound casual or technical.
イージーなショットをミスした。
I missed an easy shot.
Express that you were unable to catch a vehicle, attend an event, meet someone, or notice something in time.
Transitive verb meaning to let something slip away or miss an opportunity. Used for missing a train, a chance, a person, etc.
To miss seeing something; overlook, fail to notice. Also used for missing a TV show or a detail.
To miss hearing something; fail to catch what was said.
To miss each other (e.g., two people trying to meet but not encountering). Literally 'pass by each other'.
Express that you feel lonely or notice the lack of a person, thing, or quality.
Pattern meaning 'I'm lonely without ~'. The most natural way to say you miss a person. Replace 〜 with the person's name or title.
彼女がいなくて寂しい。
I miss her.
家族がいなくて寂しい。
I miss my family.
Adjective meaning 'to long for, to miss dearly'. Stronger emotional nuance than 寂しい. Used for people, places, or things.
Adjective meaning 'nostalgic'. Used when you miss something from the past, like childhood memories or old times.
学生時代が懐かしい。
I miss my school days.
Literally '~ is lacking'. Used for missing a quality or element, not for emotional longing.
この料理は塩が足りない。
This dish is missing salt.
Express that you realize something is no longer there, often unexpectedly.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to disappear, to be gone'. Used when something is missing or lost.
財布がなくなった。
My wallet is missing.
To vanish, disappear. Often implies a more sudden or mysterious disappearance.
指輪が消えた。
The ring has disappeared.
Simple statement 'there is no ~'. The most direct way to say something is missing.
鍵がない。
The key is missing.
The loanword ミスする only means 'to make a mistake' or 'to miss' in sports/games. It cannot be used to say you miss a person or feel lonely.
寂しい (sabishii) is the general word for loneliness and is the safest choice for 'I miss you'. 恋しい (koishii) is stronger and more poetic, often used for longing for a lover or a place. Using 恋しい casually can sound overly dramatic.
すごく会いたい。
I miss you so much.
彼はバスに乗り遅れて遅刻した。
He missed the bus and was late.
彼女は留学のチャンスを逃した。
She missed the chance to study abroad.
矢が的に外れた。
The arrow missed the target.
弾が外れた。
The bullet missed.
Specifically for missing a vehicle (train, bus, plane) by being late. Literally 'delay in riding'.
バスに乗り遅れた。
I missed the bus.
その映画を見逃した。
I missed that movie.
間違いを見逃した。
I missed the mistake.
大事な部分を聞き逃した。
I missed the important part.
彼とは駅ですれ違った。
I missed him at the station (we passed each other without meeting).