Translation guide
The English word "neglect" covers a range of meanings from failing to care for someone to simply overlooking a task. Japanese uses different words depending on whether you are talking about neglecting duties, neglecting a person's needs, or simply forgetting to do something.
Failing to do something you are supposed to do, such as work, studies, or obligations.
The most direct and common verb for neglecting duties, responsibilities, or tasks. Often used in formal or written contexts.
彼は仕事を怠った。
He neglected his work.
注意を怠ると事故につながる。
Neglecting caution can lead to accidents.
Casual/slang term for skipping or slacking off on duties, school, or work. Implies intentional neglect.
授業をサボってゲームをしていた。
I was neglecting class and playing games.
To treat something as unimportant and neglect it; to leave something half-done or pay insufficient attention.
安全対策をなおざりにしてはいけない。
You must not neglect safety measures.
To be lazy or idle; often implies neglecting work due to laziness. More about the person's character than the act of neglect itself.
彼は勉強を怠けてばかりいる。
He's always neglecting his studies (out of laziness).
Failing to provide proper care, attention, or support to someone, such as a child, elderly person, or patient.
To leave someone or something unattended, often with a nuance of abandonment or neglect of care. Used for both people and things.
高齢者を放置する事件が増えている。
Cases of neglecting the elderly are increasing.
子供を車内に放置してはいけない。
You must not leave a child unattended in a car.
Specifically 'child neglect' or 'parental neglect'. A compound noun often used in social welfare contexts.
Loanword from English, used specifically for neglect in caregiving contexts, especially child or elder neglect. Common in news and social work.
Literally 'to neglect care'. A straightforward phrase for failing to look after someone.
ペットの世話を怠ってはいけません。
You must not neglect the care of your pet.
Failing to notice or remember to do something, often unintentionally.
Pattern for doing something carelessly or forgetting to do it. Often used for minor, unintentional neglect.
うっかり約束を忘れていた。
I carelessly forgot the appointment. (I neglected the appointment.)
うっかりメールを見落としていた。
I accidentally overlooked the email.
To overlook, miss seeing something. Implies neglect through inattention.
Simply 'to forget'. Can be used when neglect is due to forgetting.
Failing to maintain something properly, such as a building, garden, or machine.
To neglect maintenance or care for something. Common for gardens, houses, equipment.
庭の手入れを怠るとすぐに荒れる。
If you neglect garden maintenance, it quickly becomes overgrown.
Also used for leaving things unattended or neglected, like a vacant house or a problem.
空き家が放置されている。
The vacant house is being neglected.
Very casual; to leave something completely neglected or abandoned.
自転車をほったらかしにして錆びてしまった。
I neglected my bicycle and it got all rusty.
怠る (okotaru) is for neglecting duties or responsibilities, often formal. 放置する (houchi suru) is for leaving something/someone unattended, implying abandonment. サボる (saboru) is casual for skipping or slacking off intentionally.
ネグレクト is a technical term for caregiving neglect (child/elder abuse). Using it for neglecting homework or chores would sound unnatural.
彼は職務怠慢で非難された。
He was accused of neglecting his duties.
職務怠慢 is a formal compound for 'neglect of duty'.
健康管理を怠らないでください。
Don't neglect your health.
育児放棄は児童虐待の一つです。
Child neglect is a form of child abuse.
ネグレクトの疑いで調査が入った。
An investigation was launched on suspicion of neglect.
重要な点を見落としていた。
I overlooked an important point.
宿題を忘れた。
I forgot my homework. (I neglected to do it.)