The Meaning of nogasu [逃す] In Japanese

逃す
のがす
Romaji: nogasu N3

What does 逃す mean?

Translation and Meaning

to miss, to let slip away, to escape, to fail to seize (an opportunity)

Definition

What does 逃す mean? It means to miss or let slip away something or someone, especially opportunities, chances, or hopes, by not acting in time or by failing to catch or grasp it. In everyday Japanese, it describes not taking advantage of an opportunity or allowing something to escape from one’s grasp; it can apply to chances, outcomes, or people.

Type

verb (godan, 五段動詞)

Stroke Order

Meanings

  • Miss an opportunity or chance, especially a favorable one.
  • Let someone or something escape or slip away physically.
  • Fail to seize a desired outcome or result due to hesitation or delay.

Etymology

From the kanji 逃 combined with the verb ending す, forming a transitive verb whose core sense is to cause something to escape or slip away.

Composition

  • 逃 – run away, escape
  • す – verb suffix forming a transitive verb

Usage

Used with を to mark the direct object that escapes or is missed, commonly with opportunities like 機会を逃す or チャンスを逃す; in formal writing it appears in business or reporting, while in casual speech it remains natural; the verb implies a failure to grasp rather than deliberate release; related verb 逃がす covers a related nuance of letting go rather than letting slip.
💡 Tips
Mnemonic: visualize a golden opportunity wearing the kanji 逃 and running away; to catch it, you must act quickly or it will escape as nogasu.

Variations

  • 取り逃す (torinogasu) — to miss catching
  • 見逃す (minogasu) — to overlook or fail to notice
  • 失う (ushinau) — to lose something tangible or intangible

Example Phrases

  • 大事な 機会を 逃すと 後悔が 残る はずだ。
    Daiji na kikai o nogasu to koukai ga nokoru hazu da.
    If you miss an important opportunity, regrets will remain.
    Lista:
    • 大事な (daiji na) – important
    • 機会を (kikai o) – opportunity
    • 逃すと (nogasu to) – if you miss
    • 後悔が (koukai ga) – regret
    • 残る (nokoru) – remain
    • はずだ (hazu da) – should
    The sentence uses 「逃す」 in its dictionary form with と to express a conditional consequence.
逃す