Translation guide
The English word 'miss' covers several distinct ideas: failing to hit or reach a target, failing to catch or attend something, feeling the absence of someone or something, and noticing something is gone. This guide breaks down these meanings and gives natural Japanese expressions for each.
Express that a physical action (throwing, shooting, striking) did not connect with its intended target.
Transitive verb meaning to miss a target, often used when the subject intentionally aimed but failed. Can also mean to remove or take off.
Intransitive verb meaning to miss or go off target, often used when the focus is on the projectile or action itself rather than the agent. Also means to come off or be disconnected.
Literally 'does not hit', a common negative form of 当たる (to hit). Used to say something misses repeatedly or in general.
His punches don't hit at all.
Loanword from English 'miss', used as a suru-verb. Common in sports and games, but can sound casual or technical.
I missed an easy shot.
Express that you were unable to catch a vehicle, attend an event, meet someone, or notice something in time.
Transitive verb meaning to let something slip away or miss an opportunity. Used for missing a train, a chance, a person, etc.
Express that you feel lonely or notice the lack of a person, thing, or quality.
Pattern meaning 'I'm lonely without ~'. The most natural way to say you miss a person. Replace 〜 with the person's name or title.
Express that you realize something is no longer there, often unexpectedly.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to disappear, to be gone'. Used when something is missing or lost.
The loanword ミスする only means 'to make a mistake' or 'to miss' in sports/games. It cannot be used to say you miss a person or feel lonely.
寂しい (sabishii) is the general word for loneliness and is the safest choice for 'I miss you'. 恋しい (koishii) is stronger and more poetic, often used for longing for a lover or a place. Using 恋しい casually can sound overly dramatic.
I miss you so much.
矢が的に外れた。
The arrow missed the target.
The bullet missed.
Specifically for missing a vehicle (train, bus, plane) by being late. Literally 'delay in riding'.
I missed the bus.
To miss seeing something; overlook, fail to notice. Also used for missing a TV show or a detail.
I missed that movie.
I missed the mistake.
To miss hearing something; fail to catch what was said.
I missed the important part.
To miss each other (e.g., two people trying to meet but not encountering). Literally 'pass by each other'.
I missed him at the station (we passed each other without meeting).
I miss her.
I miss my family.
Adjective meaning 'to long for, to miss dearly'. Stronger emotional nuance than 寂しい. Used for people, places, or things.
Adjective meaning 'nostalgic'. Used when you miss something from the past, like childhood memories or old times.
I miss my school days.
Literally '~ is lacking'. Used for missing a quality or element, not for emotional longing.
This dish is missing salt.
My wallet is missing.
To vanish, disappear. Often implies a more sudden or mysterious disappearance.
The ring has disappeared.
Simple statement 'there is no ~'. The most direct way to say something is missing.
The key is missing.
He missed the bus and was late.
She missed the chance to study abroad.