Translation guide
In Japanese, omitting words—especially subjects, objects, and particles—is natural and often required for fluent speech. This guide covers how to express the idea of 'omitting' something, from casual everyday omissions to formal ellipsis.
To say that someone omits a word, phrase, or detail when speaking or writing.
The most common and neutral verb for 'omit' or 'leave out'. Used for words, details, steps, etc.
この文では主語が省略されている。
The subject is omitted in this sentence.
I omitted part of the explanation.
Casual verb meaning to skip or leave out, often intentionally. Can sound a bit rough.
その単語を抜かして読んだ。
I read it skipping that word.
To omit, leave out, or cut out. Often used for removing unnecessary parts.
無駄な言葉を省いて話してください。
Please speak omitting unnecessary words.
To skip or not do a step in a process.
Same word as above, also used for steps in a process.
この手順は省略できます。
You can omit this step.
To skip over something, like a step or a page. Casual.
そのステップは飛ばしても大丈夫です。
It's okay to skip that step.
To omit or skip, often used in set phrases like 手を抜く (cut corners).
手を抜かずに作業してください。
Please do the work without omitting any steps.
To leave someone out or exclude them.
To exclude or leave out, formal. Used for lists, groups, etc.
彼はメンバーから除外された。
He was omitted from the members.
To remove or leave out, less formal than 除外する.
リストから彼の名前を外した。
I omitted his name from the list.
Casual, can imply accidentally or intentionally leaving someone out.
Referring to the grammatical concept of ellipsis, where words are omitted because they are understood from context.
The noun form, used in linguistic contexts.
日本語では主語の省略がよく起こる。
In Japanese, omission of the subject often occurs.
Literally 'ellipsis' as a punctuation mark (…), but also used in linguistics. Rare.
省略する is the safest, most neutral choice for 'omit'. 抜かす is casual and often implies skipping something intentionally or carelessly. 省く focuses on removing unnecessary elements to make something more efficient or concise.
説明を省略する (neutral)
omit the explanation
説明を抜かす (casual, maybe rude)
skip the explanation
無駄を省く (cut out waste)
omit waste
If you mean 'I omitted to mention' as in 'I forgot to mention', use 言い忘れる (いいわすれる) or 言い漏らす (いいもらす), not 省略する.
I'm frustrated that only I was omitted.
An ellipsis is used at the end of this sentence.