Missing meanings in Japanese

行方不明 (ゆくえふめい)

Example:

The child is missing.

その子供は行方不明です。

Several hikers are reported missing.

数人のハイカーが行方不明と報告されています。

Usage: FormalContext: Used in serious situations, such as reporting someone lost to authorities or in news reports.

Note: This term is often used in legal or emergency contexts.

欠けている (かけている)

Example:

Some pieces are missing from the puzzle.

パズルのいくつかのピースが欠けています。

This document is missing a signature.

この書類には署名が欠けています。

Usage: Formal/InformalContext: Used when referring to items or information that are not present or are incomplete.

Note: This is a more general term and can apply to both physical objects and abstract concepts.

恋しい (こいしい)

Example:

I miss my friend who moved away.

引っ越した友達が恋しいです。

I miss the old days.

昔の日々が恋しいです。

Usage: InformalContext: Used in emotional contexts to express longing for someone or something.

Note: This term conveys a sense of nostalgia and affection.

不足している (ぶそくしている)

Example:

The project is missing important data.

そのプロジェクトには重要なデータが不足しています。

We are missing some key ingredients for the recipe.

レシピに必要な重要な材料が不足しています。

Usage: FormalContext: Used in business, academic, or technical contexts to describe a lack of necessary components.

Note: This term is more technical and can apply to various fields.

失われた (うしなわれた)

Example:

Many traditions are missing in modern society.

多くの伝統が現代社会では失われています。

A sense of community is missing in the city.

その街にはコミュニティの感覚が失われています。

Usage: FormalContext: Used in discussions about cultural or social issues.

Note: This term often relates to broader themes of loss and absence.

absent

Not present or accounted for.

Example: She was absent from the meeting.

Note: Similar to 'missing' but often used in formal or official contexts.

lost

Unable to find one's way; not knowing one's whereabouts.

Example: The lost keys were found under the couch.

Note: Implies that something was misplaced or cannot be located.

gone

No longer present; departed or vanished.

Example: The cat has gone missing again.

Note: Suggests a more permanent absence compared to 'missing.'

unaccounted for

Not explained or included in a record or account.

Example: Several items are unaccounted for in the inventory.

Note: Emphasizes the lack of explanation or record for something that is missing.

Missing in action

This phrase is commonly used in a military context to refer to someone who has disappeared during a military operation and whose fate is unknown.

Example: The soldier was declared missing in action after not returning from the mission.

Note: This phrase specifically refers to a military context and implies that the person may be a casualty of war.

Missing the boat

This idiom means to miss an opportunity or to be too late to take advantage of something.

Example: I really wanted to invest in that company, but I missed the boat on that opportunity.

Note: The phrase 'missing the boat' is a metaphorical expression and does not refer to a physical boat.

Absent-minded

This phrase describes someone who often forgets things or is preoccupied and not paying attention.

Example: She forgot her keys again; she can be so absent-minded sometimes.

Note: While 'missing' implies something lost or not present, 'absent-minded' specifically refers to a tendency to forget or be inattentive.

Lost in translation

This phrase means that something was not accurately conveyed from one language or culture to another, resulting in a misunderstanding or loss of meaning.

Example: The humor in the joke was lost in translation when it was subtitled.

Note: The phrase 'lost in translation' suggests a failure in communication rather than simply being physically missing.

Can't find my bearings

This idiom means to be disoriented or unable to navigate a new or unfamiliar place.

Example: Ever since we moved to this new city, I can't seem to find my bearings and get around easily.

Note: While 'missing' can refer to physical absence, 'can't find my bearings' relates more to feeling lost or confused in a situation.

Left holding the bag

This idiom means to be left with the responsibility or blame for something when others have abandoned or deserted you.

Example: When the project failed, I was left holding the bag and had to take responsibility for the mistakes.

Note: The phrase 'left holding the bag' implies being left with a burden or consequence rather than simply being physically missing.

Eager beaver

This phrase refers to someone who is very enthusiastic or eager to take on tasks or activities.

Example: She's always the first one to volunteer for extra work; she's such an eager beaver.

Note: While 'missing' refers to something that is not present, 'eager beaver' describes a person's proactive and enthusiastic nature.

Gone AWOL

This term, originating from the military acronym for 'Absent Without Leave', is used informally to mean someone is missing or absent without a valid explanation.

Example: Sarah hasn't shown up for work all week, she's gone AWOL.

Note: It is a more casual and colloquial way to describe someone who is missing compared to the formal military usage.

Off the grid

When someone is 'off the grid', it means they are in a situation where they are untraceable or unreachable.

Example: I tried calling Tom, but he's been off the grid for days.

Note: It implies a deliberate choice to disconnect or isolate oneself from communication or society, unlike simply being missing.

Ghosted

To be 'ghosted' refers to when someone suddenly cuts off all communication with no explanation or warning.

Example: He stopped replying to my messages out of the blue, I got ghosted.

Note: This term is commonly used in dating scenarios to describe being ignored or purposely avoided, distinguishing it from typical 'missing' situations.

Off radar

When someone is 'off radar', it means they are not detectable by conventional means, like being untraceable or invisible.

Example: She's off radar lately, no one knows where she went.

Note: It suggests a stealthier or secretive disappearance compared to simply being missing.

Fall off the map

To 'fall off the map' means to disappear suddenly or completely from contact or communication.

Example: Mike fell off the map after quitting his job; no one has heard from him.

Note: It conveys a stronger sense of vanishing without a trace compared to regular 'missing'.

Dropped off the face of the earth

When someone 'drops off the face of the earth', it means they have disappeared completely or suddenly.

Example: I haven't seen John in months; it's like he dropped off the face of the earth.

Note: This expression emphasizes a total and abrupt disappearance, adding a dramatic flair to being missing.

Vamoosed

To 'vamoose' means to depart or vanish suddenly and quickly.

Example: He packed his bags and vamoosed without saying goodbye.

Note: It conveys a swift and often unexpected departure, typically used in a more lighthearted or humorous context.

The missing piece of the puzzle was finally found.

She noticed that her keys were missing from her purse.

He was missing his family back home.

Missing - Verb (Verb) / Verb, gerund or present participle (Verb, gerund or present participle)

Lemma: miss

Conjugations

Noun, plural (Noun, plural): misses

Noun, singular or mass (Noun, singular or mass): miss

Verb, past tense (Verb, past tense): missed

Verb, gerund or present participle (Verb, gerund or present participle): missing

Verb, 3rd person singular present (Verb, 3rd person singular present): misses

Verb, base form (Verb, base form): miss

Verb, non-3rd person singular present (Verb, non-3rd person singular present): miss

Syllabification and Stress

missing Contains 2 syllables: miss • ing

Phonetic transcription: ˈmi-siŋ

miss ing , ˈmi siŋ (The red syllable is stressed)

The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000.

missing: ~ 2200 (Very common).

This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.

Missing