Translation guide
The concept of something or someone vanishing, going missing, or ceasing to be visible or present. Japanese expresses this with different words depending on whether it's a person, object, phenomenon, or abstract idea, and whether the disappearance is sudden, gradual, mysterious, or natural.
When a person, animal, or living being goes missing or disappears from sight.
Used for a person disappearing, often implying they left voluntarily or under mysterious circumstances. Common in news and formal contexts.
彼は先月失踪した。
He disappeared last month.
失踪事件が増えている。
Disappearance cases are increasing.
The most common term for a person whose whereabouts are unknown. Used in everyday conversation, news, and official reports.
彼女は行方不明になった。
She went missing.
行方不明者を探しています。
We are searching for the missing person.
General verb for disappearing. Can be used for people, but often implies vanishing into thin air or suddenly being gone.
彼は突然消えた。
He suddenly disappeared.
Literally 'become not present'. A casual, everyday way to say someone is gone or has disappeared.
犬がいなくなった。
The dog disappeared.
When a physical object, item, or substance ceases to be visible or present.
The most common verb for objects disappearing. Can be used for anything from a pen to a building.
Literally 'become lost' or 'be gone'. Often used when something is missing or used up.
Formal term for disappearance, often used in technical or written contexts, like data loss or vanishing of evidence.
When something non-physical like a feeling, tradition, or problem disappears.
Works for abstract things as well. Very versatile.
Also common for abstract things, especially when they are lost or cease to be.
Stronger, more formal term for extinction or complete disappearance, often used for species, rights, or legal entities.
When something slowly disappears over time, like light, sound, or a memory.
The te-iku form of 消える, emphasizing the gradual process of disappearing.
To fade, become dim, or weaken. Used for light, color, feelings, memories.
To erase or drown out (a sound, voice, etc.), making it disappear. Often used for sounds being overpowered.
When something vanishes in a way that seems supernatural or inexplicable.
To vanish completely, often with a sense of finality or mystery. Common in stories.
魔法使いは消え去った。
The wizard vanished.
Literally 'erase one's figure'. To disappear from sight, often used for people or things that vanish mysteriously.
Literally 'hiding behind clouds'. A poetic term for disappearance, especially of a person who vanishes without a trace.
消える (kieru) emphasizes the process of vanishing or becoming invisible, while なくなる (nakunaru) focuses on the result of being gone or lost. For objects, 消える can sound more dramatic; なくなる is more matter-of-fact. For people, いなくなる is the casual equivalent of 消える.
失踪 (shissou) is only for people (or sometimes animals). Using it for objects sounds unnatural. Use 消える or なくなる instead.
鍵がなくなった。
The keys disappeared.
データが消失した。
The data disappeared.
希望がなくなった。
Hope disappeared.
その種は消滅した。
That species disappeared (went extinct).
The sound of the waves drowned out the voice.
He disappeared into the crowd.
彼は雲隠れした。
He vanished without a trace.