Translation guide
How to talk about a lost item in Japanese, from reporting it missing to asking if someone has seen it.
You want to say that you have lost something, often to an authority figure or when seeking help.
Polite way to say 'I lost ~'. Use with the particle を.
財布をなくしました。
I lost my wallet.
パスポートをなくしました。
I lost my passport.
Literally 'I dropped ~', but often used for losing something, especially if you think it fell out of a pocket or bag.
駅で切符を落としました。
I dropped my ticket at the station.
Means 'I can't find ~'. More indirect and natural when you're not sure if it's lost or just misplaced.
鍵が見つかりません。
I can't find my keys.
You want to ask people nearby if they have seen your lost item.
Polite way to ask 'Did you see ~?'. Use when asking strangers or staff.
すみません、黒い傘を見ませんでしたか？
Excuse me, did you see a black umbrella?
Casual way to ask 'Do you know about ~?', implying 'Have you seen ~?'. Use with friends or in informal situations.
俺の携帯、知らない？
Have you seen my phone?
You need to describe the lost item, e.g., to a lost-and-found office.
Noun meaning 'lost property' or 'lost item'. Use when reporting or inquiring about a lost item.
落とし物を届けに来ました。
I came to report a lost item.
落とし物が届いていますか？
Has a lost item been turned in?
Specifically an item left behind somewhere, like on a train or in a restaurant. Not necessarily dropped.
Phrases useful at a lost-and-found center.
Formal term for 'lost-and-found office'. You might see this on signs.
遺失物取扱所はどこですか？
Where is the lost-and-found office?
Common term for a lost-and-found center, especially in stations or department stores.
落とし物センターに問い合わせてください。
Please contact the lost-and-found center.
なくす is the general verb for 'to lose' something. 落とす means 'to drop' and implies the item fell. In many contexts, 落とす is used when you think you dropped it, while なくす is used when you simply can't find it.
If you lose something important, you can file a report at a police box (交番). Say: 落とし物の届けを出したいです (I'd like to file a lost item report).
財布をなくしました。
I lost my wallet.
黒い傘を見ませんでしたか？
Did you see a black umbrella?
電車にバッグを忘れました。
I left my bag on the train.
電車に忘れ物をしました。
I left something on the train.