Translation guide
How to express that you missed something in Japanese, depending on what was missed: a target, an opportunity, a person, an event, or a detail.
To fail to hit a target with a projectile, weapon, or thrown object.
General verb for missing a target. Transitive; the object is the target.
矢が的を外した。
The arrow missed the target.
彼はシュートを外した。
He missed the shot.
Intransitive; the subject is the thing that misses. Often used when the projectile goes off course.
To fail to catch, attend, or meet something in time.
To feel the absence of someone; to long for.
Common way to say you miss someone. Literally 'I'm lonely without ~'.
君がいなくて寂しい。
I miss you.
彼女がいなくて寂しい。
I miss her.
To overlook, not see, or not realize something.
To fail to meet or contact someone.
To miss each other (e.g., you went to see someone but they were out).
彼とはすれ違いになった。
I missed him. (We crossed paths without meeting.)
English 'I miss you' has no direct single verb in Japanese. Avoid literal translations like あなたをミスする. Use 会いたい or 寂しい patterns instead.
Both mean 'miss' for transportation, but 乗り遅れる is specifically for failing to board on time. 逃す is broader (miss a chance, miss a bus you were running for).
ボールがゴールから外れた。
The ball missed the goal.
To let something slip away; to miss a chance, a bus, etc. Transitive.
Specifically for missing a train, bus, etc. (lit. 'delay in riding').
電車に乗り遅れた。
I missed the train.
To miss seeing something (a show, a detail); to overlook.
その映画を見逃した。
I missed that movie.
To miss hearing something; to fail to catch what was said.
大事な部分を聞き逃した。
I missed an important part.
Expresses desire to see someone; often used for 'I miss you'.
あなたに会いたい。
I miss you. (I want to see you.)
Yearned for; dear. More poetic/literary. Used for people, places, or things.
故郷が恋しい。
I miss my hometown.
To overlook; to fail to notice something visible.
間違いを見落とした。
I missed a mistake.
To not notice; to be unaware. Negative form of 気づく.
彼の変化に気づかなかった。
I missed the change in him. (I didn't notice.)
To miss a phone call (couldn't answer).
電話に出られなくてごめん。
Sorry I missed your call.