Translation guide
The English word 'missing' can refer to a person or thing that is lost, absent, or unaccounted for, or to something that is lacking or not present. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for these situations.
Describing a person, animal, or object that cannot be found or whose whereabouts are unknown.
The standard term for a missing person or thing, used in formal and news contexts. Literally 'whereabouts unknown'.
彼は先週から行方不明です。
He has been missing since last week.
行方不明の登山者を捜索しています。
They are searching for the missing hiker.
The simplest and most natural way to say someone is not here or is missing in everyday conversation. Use with context.
田中さんがいない。どこに行ったんだろう。
Tanaka is missing. I wonder where he went.
猫がいない。探してくる。
The cat is missing. I'll go look for it.
Means 'cannot be found', often used for lost items or when someone is unaccounted for.
財布が見つからない。
My wallet is missing.
子供がまだ見つからない。
The child is still missing.
Refers to a person disappearing or running away, often implying intentional disappearance. Used in legal or serious contexts.
彼の失踪は謎に包まれている。
His disappearance is shrouded in mystery.
Describing a component, quality, or element that is not present when it should be.
Means 'insufficient' or 'lacking'. Used for missing quantities, qualities, or necessary things.
説明が足りない。
The explanation is missing something.
材料が足りないから買いに行く。
We're missing some ingredients, so I'll go buy them.
Means 'is missing' or 'lacking' in the sense of an essential part being absent. Often used for abstract qualities or components.
彼の話には説得力が欠けている。
His story is missing persuasiveness.
この書類には署名が欠けている。
This document is missing a signature.
Means 'omitted' or 'missing' as in something left out, like a step or an item in a list.
名簿に私の名前が抜けている。
My name is missing from the list.
手順が一つ抜けている。
One step is missing from the procedure.
The basic negative form meaning 'there is no ~'. Very common and direct.
このセットには電池がない。
Batteries are missing from this set.
Expressing that you miss a person, place, or thing emotionally.
Used to say you miss someone or something dearly. Often used for people, places, or food.
家族が恋しい。
I miss my family.
日本の食べ物が恋しい。
I miss Japanese food.
Expresses loneliness because someone is not there. More emotional than 恋しい.
君がいなくて寂しい。
I miss you (and feel lonely).
Literally 'I want to see/meet you', but often used to mean 'I miss you'.
早く会いたい。
I miss you (and want to see you soon).
The English loanword ミッシング is not commonly used in Japanese. Use the native expressions above instead.
足りない is for insufficient quantity or degree. 欠けている is for a missing essential element or quality. 抜けている is for something omitted or left out from a sequence or list.
必要な情報がない。
The necessary information is missing.