Translation guide
How to express that something is no longer visible, either because it moved away, you moved away, or it is hidden. Japanese uses different verbs and phrases depending on the reason and context.
Something or someone moves away until it can no longer be seen.
The most common and neutral way to say something becomes invisible or goes out of sight. Literally 'become not visible'.
船がだんだん見えなくなった。
The ship gradually went out of sight.
I waved until he was out of sight.
Literally 'disappear from field of vision'. Slightly more formal or descriptive. Often used in writing.
鳥はあっという間に視界から消えた。
The bird disappeared from sight in an instant.
To lose sight of something/someone, often unintentionally. Focuses on the observer's failure to keep track.
人混みの中で友達を見失った。
I lost sight of my friend in the crowd.
Something is behind an obstacle, covered, or not in your line of sight.
To be hidden behind something, out of sight. '陰' means shadow or behind something.
猫がソファの陰に隠れて見えない。
The cat is out of sight behind the sofa.
Literally 'be in a place where it can't be seen'. A straightforward, everyday phrase.
鍵は見えないところに置いてください。
Please put the key out of sight.
To enter a blind spot. Used for driving, sports, or surveillance contexts.
車が死角に入って見えなくなった。
The car went out of sight into my blind spot.
The proverb meaning that people or things not seen are easily forgotten.
A traditional Japanese proverb equivalent to 'out of sight, out of mind'. Literally 'those who leave become more distant day by day'.
去る者は日々に疎しというけど、本当にそうだね。
They say out of sight, out of mind, and it's really true.
A plain, modern way to express the idea: 'when you stop seeing something, you forget it'.
引っ越したら、見なくなると忘れるものだ。
Once you move away, out of sight, out of mind.
Informal English meaning 'amazing' or 'incredible'. Not a literal translation.
The English slang 'out of sight' meaning 'fantastic' has no direct Japanese equivalent. Use common words for 'amazing' like すごい, 素晴らしい, or 最高.
そのパフォーマンスは最高だった！
That performance was out of sight!
見えなくなる is the everyday, neutral choice for something becoming invisible. 視界から消える is more literary and emphasizes the field of vision. Use 見えなくなる in conversation.
日常会話では「見えなくなった」で十分です。
In daily conversation, '見えなくなった' is sufficient.
The phrase '視界の外' (outside the field of vision) exists but is not a natural way to say 'out of sight' in most contexts. It sounds technical. Use the options above instead.
薬は子供の見えないところに保管してください。
Keep medicines out of sight of children.
飛行機は見えなくなった。
The plane flew out of sight.