Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Miss" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "miss", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
乗り過ごす
のりすごす (norisugosu)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
見逃す
みのがす (minogasu)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "miss" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 乗り過ごす and 見逃す.
In Japanese, 乗り過ごす (のりすごす (norisugosu)) is typically associated with "to miss (one's stop/station), to ride past" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Often used when unintentionally passing one's intended destination on public transport.
On the other hand, 見逃す (みのがす (minogasu)) maps to "to miss (an opportunity, a broadcast), to overlook, to let escape" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents チャンスや放送を見られなかったり、犯人などを逃がしてしまったりする意味で使われます。意図せず機会を逃すニュアンスが強いです。. A literal translation of "miss" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "乗り過ごす"
電車で寝てしまって、駅を乗り過ごしてしまった。
I fell asleep on the train and missed my station.
Bilingual Context for "見逃す"
楽しみにしていたテレビ番組を見逃してしまった。
I missed the TV program I was looking forward to.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "電車で寝てしまって、駅を乗り過ごしてしまった。" (Meaning: "I fell asleep on the train and missed my station.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "乗り過ごす" fits here because it means "to miss (one's stop/station), to ride past" in the context of: "I fell asleep on the train and missed my station.". "見逃す" represents "to miss (an opportunity, a broadcast), to overlook, to let escape".