Translation guide
How to express 'fail to catch' in Japanese, covering physical misses, missed opportunities, and failure to understand.
The speaker tries to catch a ball, a thrown item, etc., but misses it.
A common compound verb meaning to fail to catch or miss catching something. Used for balls, thrown objects, etc.
I failed to catch the ball.
Same reading as 取り損ねる but with the kanji 捕 (catch). Emphasizes the act of catching. Often used in sports contexts.
I failed to catch the fly ball.
Uses the loanword キャッチ (catch) with し損ねる. Casual and common in everyday speech.
I failed to catch the keys he threw.
Literally 'to drop'. Can imply failure to catch if the object was dropped because of a missed catch. Use with care; it focuses on the result, not the attempt.
I dropped the pass (failed to catch it).
The speaker fails to board a scheduled vehicle because they were late or couldn't get on.
The standard verb for missing a train, bus, etc. by being late.
I missed the train.
Means 'not in time'. Often used to explain why you missed a vehicle. Can be used alone or with the vehicle.
I didn't make it in time for the bus.
Means 'to let escape' or 'miss'. Used for missing a chance or a vehicle. Often used with 電車を逃す.
The speaker tries to capture or seize a moving target (animal, criminal, child) but fails.
Compound verb meaning to fail to catch or capture. Used for animals, people, etc.
I failed to catch the cat.
Means to fail to catch and let escape. Often used for fish, criminals, or opportunities.
Passive form of 逃げる (to escape). Implies the target got away from you. Natural in conversation.
The fish got away (I failed to catch it).
The speaker didn't catch what someone said, a joke, a name, etc.
Means 'cannot catch/hear clearly'. The most natural way to say you didn't catch what someone said.
Sorry, I didn't catch that.
Means 'cannot understand'. More about comprehension than hearing. Use when you didn't grasp the meaning.
I didn't catch his joke.
Means to miss hearing something. More formal/literary. Used when you fail to catch a part of a speech or announcement.
The speaker misses a favorable moment or offer.
English 'I didn't catch that' is not translated with 捕まえる or キャッチする. Use 聞き取れない or 理解できない instead.
Please say that again. I didn't catch it.
I missed the last train.
We failed to catch the criminal.
大事な部分を聞き漏らした。
I missed (failed to catch) an important part.
好機を逸した。
I missed a good opportunity.