How to Say "Missing" in Japanese

行方不明

yukuefumei

The English phrase "missing" is translated into Japanese as 行方不明 (yukuefumei).

行方不明 is an adjective used to describe a person or object that is not present when they should be, such as a missing person.

Meaning: not present when it (they) should be (adj)

How does it change in a sentence?

To say "is missing" in polite Japanese, add です to the end to form 行方不明です. In casual speech, you can add the copula だ to the end to form 行方不明だ.

yukuefumei

While English uses 'missing' for both people and objects, Japanese speakers often prefer different terms like 紛失 (funshitsu) specifically for lost items.
The word 不明 in 行方不明 is also used in technical contexts to describe a 'unknown' or 'unidentified' error code in software and electronics.
While 行方不明 describes someone as 'missing', the word 迷子 is used specifically for a child or a pet who has become lost, regardless of whether their whereabouts are officially unknown.

トムは行方不明なの？
Is Tom missing?
This sentence uses 行方不明 to ask if someone is missing.
Tatoeba #8697021 by bunbuku, translation #2244624 by CK
３人が行方不明です。
Three people are missing.
This sentence uses 行方不明 to state that people are missing.
Tatoeba #10614317 by small_snow, translation #7936662 by AlanF_US
３人が依然行方不明です。
Three people are still missing.
Tatoeba #235305 by e4zh1nmcz, translation #72683 by CK
鍵を失くしたので、家に入れませんでした。
I couldn't get into the house because I lost the keys.
友達がいつも遅れてくるので、心配しています。
I'm worried because my friend is always late.
彼女に会いたくてたまりません。
I miss her so much, I want to see her.
彼女がいなくて寂しいです。
I am lonely because she's not here.
どこへ行ったのか、まったく分からなくなりました。
I completely lost track of where they went.
19 more sentences on Tatoeba

Two people are discussing a news report about a missing person.

美咲 Misaki

ニュースで見たけど、あの人は行方不明なの？
nyuusu de mita kedo, ano hito wa yukuefumei nano?
I saw it on the news, is that person missing?
大翔 Hiroto

うん、まだ行方不明のままだよ。
un, mada yukuefumei no mama da yo.
Yeah, he is still missing.
美咲 Misaki

早く見つかってほしいね。
hayaku mitsukatte hoshii ne.
I hope he is found soon.
大翔 Hiroto

本当にそうだね。
hontou ni sou da ne.
I really agree.

Sources

⭐Share⭐ to appreciate human effort 🙏