Translation guide
How to express that something or someone is not present, absent, or lost in Japanese. Covers physical absence, missing items, missing people, and missing parts.
My keys are missing.
To say that someone or something is not here/there, is absent from a place.
Used for animate beings (people, animals). The plain form of いません. Indicates that someone is not present.
Used for inanimate objects. Indicates that something is not there or is missing.
Formal verb meaning 'to be absent' (from a meeting, class, etc.). Used for scheduled events.
He was absent from the meeting.
Means 'to come out' or 'to be omitted'. Can be used when something is missing from a set or list.
To express that an object is lost, has disappeared, or is unaccounted for.
To say that something is incomplete because a piece is absent.
From 欠ける (to be chipped/lacking). Indicates that a part is missing or lacking.
To say that someone is missing in a serious context (disaster, accident, etc.).
Use いない for living things (people, animals) and ない for inanimate objects. Using ない for a person can sound rude or dehumanizing.
The teacher is not here.
The cat is not in the room.
My wallet is missing.
The book is not on the desk.
名簿から彼の名前が抜けている。
His name is missing from the roster.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to be lost', 'to disappear'. Indicates that something is gone.
My keys are missing.
The money is missing.
Negative potential form of 見つける (to find). Means 'cannot be found'.
I looked for it, but it's missing.
Formal term for 'missing' (person or object), often used in news or official contexts.
The ship went missing.
This puzzle is missing one piece.
The document is missing a page.
Means 'insufficient' or 'not enough'. Can be used when a required number or amount is missing.
One part is missing.
Similar to 欠けている, but often used for omissions in lists, text, or sequences.
His name is missing from the list.
Standard term for a missing person. Used in news, police reports, etc.
Many people are missing due to the earthquake.
Means 'whereabouts unknown'. Slightly less formal than 行方不明, but still used in serious contexts.
He is missing.
The pen is missing.
Do not directly translate 'be missing' as ミッシングしている or similar. Use the appropriate Japanese verb based on context.