損そこなう

suffix, godan verb (-u)

fail to do; do badly; miss the chance to do

Only when written 損なう

Suffix-like use after the masu-stem of another verb, as in 食べ損なう or 押し損なう. It means that the intended action was not completed, was mishandled, or the opportunity was missed.

• 忙いそがしくて昼ひるご飯はんを食たべ損そこなった。

  I was so busy that I missed the chance to eat lunch.

• ボタンを押おし損そこなって、録ろく画ができなかった。

  I failed to press the button properly, so I couldn't record it.

suffix, godan verb (-u)

almost do; come close to doing

Only when written 損なう

Suffix-like use after a masu-stem for nearly ending up doing something, especially in fixed or limited expressions such as 死に損なう. Depending on context it can also sound rough, self-deprecating, or imply that an expected outcome failed to happen.

• あの事じ故こで私わたしは死しに損そこなった。

  I nearly died in that accident.