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A2 verb #3,000 am häufigsten 8 Min. Lesezeit

無くします

nakushimasu
At the A1 level, you learn 'nakushimasu' as a basic action verb. You use it to tell people when you can't find your important things. Focus on the pattern '[Object] o nakushimashita' (I lost [Object]). At this stage, don't worry about the kanji; just focus on the sound and the 'masu' form. You might use it at a hotel if you lose your room key or at a shop if you lose your receipt. It's one of the most 'emergency' verbs you'll need when traveling in Japan. Remember to always use the 'o' particle before it. For example: 'Kagi o nakushimashita' (I lost my key). This simple sentence will get you help in almost any situation. You should also learn the negative form 'nakusanaide' which means 'don't lose,' often used by teachers or parents. This level is all about survival and basic reporting of facts.
At the A2 level, you begin to understand the difference between 'nakushimasu' (I lost it) and 'nakunarimasu' (It is gone). You start using 'nakushimasu' for more than just physical objects, like 'jishin o nakushimasu' (to lose confidence). You also learn to use it with 'te-shimaimashita' to show that you feel bad about losing something. This adds emotion to your Japanese. You should be able to explain *where* you lost something using the 'de' particle, like 'Densha de saifu o nakushimashita' (I lost my wallet on the train). You are also expected to recognize the kanji '無' and understand that it relates to 'nothing' or 'not having.' This level focuses on connecting the verb to locations and expressing a bit of regret about the loss.
At the B1 level, you use 'nakushimasu' to talk about social issues and intentions. You might say 'Sabetsu o nakushitai' (I want to eliminate discrimination). You understand that 'nakusu' can mean 'to get rid of' something bad. You also start to see the connection between 'nakusu' and other related words like 'muda' (waste). You can use the potential form 'nakuseru' (can eliminate/lose) and the causative form 'nakusaseru' (to make someone lose something). Your sentences become more complex, combining 'nakusu' with reasons and results. You also begin to distinguish 'nakusu' from the more formal 'ushinau' and know when to use each based on the seriousness of the situation. This level is about moving from simple reporting to expressing opinions and social goals.
At the B2 level, you are comfortable using 'nakusu' in formal writing and debates. You understand its role in compound words and more advanced grammatical structures like 'nakusu koto naku' (without losing). you can discuss abstract concepts like 'losing one's identity' or 'eliminating systemic inefficiencies' using this verb. You are also aware of the homophone '亡くす' (to lose a person) and can use it correctly in sensitive contexts. You understand the nuance of using 'nakusu' versus 'shoushitsusaseru' (to cause to disappear) in technical or literary contexts. Your usage of 'nakusu' is now nuanced, reflecting an understanding of agency, responsibility, and the nature of the thing being lost. You can also use it in the passive voice 'nakusareru' when appropriate.
At the C1 level, you recognize 'nakusu' in classical literature or highly formal legal documents where it might take different forms. You understand the philosophical implications of 'nothingness' (mu) associated with the kanji. You can use 'nakusu' to describe subtle shifts in atmosphere or intangible qualities in a narrative. You are proficient in using the verb in complex rhetorical structures to persuade or describe intricate social phenomena. You can also identify and use idiomatic expressions that involve 'nakusu' which might not be immediately obvious to lower-level learners. Your command of the verb allows you to switch between its 'lose' and 'eliminate' meanings seamlessly, often using it to bridge the gap between personal experience and broader social commentary.
At the C2 level, your mastery of 'nakusu' is indistinguishable from a native speaker. You understand its historical evolution and its relationship to other Sino-Japanese vocabulary. You can use it in high-level academic writing, legal drafting, or poetic expression. You are aware of the most obscure puns or wordplay involving 'nakusu'. You can discuss the etymological roots of the 'na' sound in Japanese negation and how it culminated in this specific verb. For you, 'nakusu' is not just a word for losing a wallet; it is a versatile tool for describing the cessation of existence, the removal of barriers, and the profound human experience of loss in all its forms, from the trivial to the existential.
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無くします in 30 Sekunden

  • Transitive verb meaning 'to lose' (physical/abstract).
  • Requires the particle 'o' (e.g., saifu o nakusu).
  • Can also mean 'to eliminate' (e.g., muda o nakusu).
  • Commonly used with '~te shimau' to express regret.

The Japanese verb 無くします (nakushimasu) is a fundamental transitive verb that primarily translates to "to lose something" or "to misplace something." In its core essence, it describes an action where a person, through negligence, accident, or specific intent, causes an object or an abstract quality to no longer be in their possession or existence. Unlike the intransitive counterpart 無くなる (nakunaru), which focuses on the state of something being gone, 無くします emphasizes the agent's role in the loss. This distinction is crucial for CEFR A2 learners who are moving from basic identification to describing personal experiences and responsibilities.

Grammatical Category
Godan Verb (Group 1), Transitive
Politeness Level
Masu-form (Polite/Standard)
Kanji Representation
無くす (The 'ku' is okurigana)

In daily Japanese life, this word is most frequently associated with physical objects. Whether it is a set of keys, a wallet, or a smartphone, 無くします is the go-to verb to report the incident. However, its utility extends far beyond physical items. It is used extensively in abstract contexts, such as losing confidence (自信を無くす), losing interest (興味を無くす), or even losing one's life (though 亡くす is specifically used for death, the phonetic root is the same). Understanding the breadth of this verb allows learners to express a wide range of human experiences involving deprivation or elimination.

昨日、公園で鍵を無くしました。

— I lost my keys at the park yesterday.

Furthermore, 無くします carries a secondary meaning of "to eliminate" or "to get rid of." This is common in social or organizational contexts where one aims to remove a problem or a negative element. For example, a company might strive to "eliminate waste" (無駄を無くす) or a society might work to "eliminate discrimination" (差別を無くす). This shift from accidental loss to intentional elimination demonstrates the verb's versatility in both casual and formal Japanese discourse.

自信を無くさないでください。

— Please don't lose your confidence.
Transitive Pair
無くす (To lose something) vs. 無くなる (Something is lost/gone)
Common Objects
財布 (wallet), 携帯 (phone), 切符 (ticket), 傘 (umbrella)

For an A2 learner, mastering this verb involves recognizing that the particle を (o) is almost always required to mark the object that was lost. It is a 'doer' verb. If you want to say "My wallet is gone" without focusing on who lost it, you would use the intransitive 無くなりました. But if you are admitting "I lost my wallet," 無くしました is the correct choice. This subtle shift in focus is a hallmark of natural Japanese communication.

不注意で大切な書類を無くしてしまいました。

— I ended up losing important documents due to carelessness.

世界から戦争を無くしたいです。

— I want to eliminate war from the world.

Using 無くします (nakushimasu) correctly requires an understanding of its conjugation and its role within a sentence. As a Group 1 (Godan) verb, its stem ends in 'su'. When converting to the polite form, 'su' changes to 'shi' followed by 'masu'. This verb is strictly transitive, meaning it requires a direct object marked by the particle を (o). Without the object, the sentence feels incomplete unless the context is incredibly clear.

1. Basic Conjugation Patterns

Understanding how to change the form of 無くす is essential for expressing different timeframes and intentions:

  • Present/Future: 無くします (nakushimasu) - I will lose / I lose.
  • Past: 無くしました (nakushimashita) - I lost.
  • Negative: 無くしません (nakushimasen) - I don't lose / I won't lose.
  • Te-form: 無くして (nakushite) - Losing / Please lose (rarely used as a request unless meaning 'eliminate').

パスポートを無くさないように気をつけてください。

— Please be careful not to lose your passport.

2. The 'Te-shimau' Construction

In natural conversation, 無くしました is very frequently paired with 〜てしまいました (~te shimaimashita) to express regret or the accidental nature of the loss. Since losing something is usually an unwanted event, saying 無くしてしまいました (nakushite shimaimashita) sounds much more natural and empathetic than the simple 無くしました.

あ、傘を電車に無くしてしまいました。

— Oh, I ended up losing my umbrella on the train.

3. Abstract vs. Physical Objects

While A2 learners focus on physical items, it is helpful to know that the structure remains identical for abstract concepts. The grammar doesn't change; only the noun does.

Physical
財布を無くす (Lose a wallet)
Abstract
やる気を無くす (Lose motivation)
Social
差別を無くす (Eliminate discrimination)

4. Distinguishing from 'Nakunaru'

The most common hurdle for learners is choosing between nakusu and nakunaru. Use nakusu when there is a 'who' involved (even if implied). Use nakunaru when you are simply stating that something is missing or has run out.

You will encounter 無くします (nakushimasu) in a variety of real-world scenarios in Japan. Because it deals with loss and items, it is a staple of travel, customer service, and daily problem-solving. Knowing where you'll hear it helps you prepare for the specific social contexts in which it arises.

1. At the Police Box (Koban)

If you lose your wallet or phone in Japan, the first place you go is the Koban. The officer will ask you what happened, and you will need to use this verb to explain your situation. It is the standard term used in official 'Lost Property' reports (遺失物届 - ishitsubutsutodoke).

すみません、駅でバッグを無くしました。

— Excuse me, I lost my bag at the station.

2. At School or Work

Teachers often warn students not to lose their handouts, and bosses might remind employees not to lose confidential data. In these settings, the verb is often used in the negative request form: 無くさないでください (nakusanaide kudasai).

この書類はとても大切ですから、絶対に無くさないでください。

— This document is very important, so please absolutely do not lose it.

3. News and Social Issues

On the news or in documentaries, you will hear 無くす used in the sense of "eliminating" social ills. Politicians often promise to "eliminate poverty" or "eliminate accidents." In this context, it sounds proactive and determined.

Traffic Safety
交通事故を無くそう (Let's eliminate traffic accidents)
Public Health
病気を無くすための研究 (Research to eliminate disease)

4. Daily Conversations

Friends might use it when talking about losing interest in a hobby or losing confidence after a failure. It’s a very common way to express a change in one's internal state.

Even though 無くします (nakushimasu) seems straightforward, several common pitfalls can lead to confusion or unnatural-sounding Japanese. Avoiding these will significantly improve your fluency at the A2 level.

1. Confusing 'Nakusu' with 'Nakunaru'

This is the #1 mistake. Remember: Nakusu is something YOU do (transitive). Nakunaru is something that happens (intransitive). If you say "Saifu ga nakushimashita," it sounds like the wallet itself performed the action of losing something. Correct: "Saifu o nakushimashita."

Wrong
鍵が無くしました。(Kagi ga nakushimashita)
Correct
鍵を無くしました。(Kagi o nakushimashita)

2. Confusing 'Nakusu' with 'Wasureru'

In English, we sometimes say "I lost my keys" when we actually mean "I forgot my keys (at home)." In Japanese, these are distinct. If the keys are at home, use 忘れる (wasureru). If you have no idea where they are and they are truly gone, use 無くす (nakusu).

家に傘を忘れました。(I forgot my umbrella at home - I know where it is.)

3. The Kanji Confusion: 無くす vs 亡くす

Both are pronounced nakusu. However, 無 means "nothing/non-existence" (used for objects/abstracts), while 亡 means "deceased" (used for people). While you can say "Chichi o nakushimashita" (I lost my father), writing it as 無くしました is considered insensitive or incorrect; it should be 亡くしました. As an A2 learner, stick to the hiragana or the 'nothing' kanji for objects.

4. Overusing the Plain Form

In formal situations (like at a hotel or police station), using the plain form nakusu or nakushita can sound blunt. Always use the masu/mashita form in these contexts to show proper respect and urgency.

To truly master 無くします (nakushimasu), it's helpful to compare it with other Japanese verbs that deal with loss, misplacement, or disappearance. Each has a specific nuance that changes the meaning of the sentence.

1. 失う (Ushinau)

This is a more formal and often more serious version of nakusu. While nakusu is used for wallets and keys, ushinau is used for losing things of great value, such as a job, a life, an opportunity, or trust. It sounds more literary and dramatic.

彼は信用を失いました。

— He lost (his) credibility.

2. 落とす (Otosu)

This literally means "to drop." Often, when we lose something, it's because we dropped it. If you know you dropped your wallet somewhere, otosu is more specific than nakusu. Nakusu is the result; otosu is the action that caused the loss.

落とす (Otosu)
Focuses on the physical act of dropping.
無くす (Nakusu)
Focuses on the state of no longer having the item.

3. 紛失する (Funshitsu suru)

This is a formal, technical term for "losing something." You will see this on official forms or in news reports. It is rarely used in casual conversation but is important for reading signs or filling out paperwork at a train station's lost and found.

4. 忘れる (Wasureru)

As mentioned before, this means "to forget." If you leave your phone at a restaurant, you wasureru it. If you have no idea where it is, you nakusu it. This is a vital distinction for clear communication.

How Formal Is It?

Formell

""

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Wichtige Grammatik

Beispiele nach Niveau

1

かぎをなくしました。

I lost my key.

Basic 'Object + o + nakushimashita' pattern.

2

さいふをなくしましたか。

Did you lose your wallet?

Question form using 'ka'.

3

ここでチケットをなくしました。

I lost the ticket here.

Using 'koko de' to specify location.

4

なくさないでください。

Please don't lose it.

Negative request form 'nai de kudasai'.

5

だいじなものをなくしました。

I lost something important.

Using 'daiji na mono' (important thing) as the object.

6

けしごむをなくしました。

I lost my eraser.

Simple noun 'keshigomu'.

7

かさをなくさないでね。

Don't lose your umbrella, okay?

Casual negative request with 'ne'.

8

パスポートをなくしました！

I lost my passport!

High-urgency context.

1

電車の中にカバンを無くしました。

I lost my bag inside the train.

Specifying location with 'no naka ni'.

2

不注意でスマホを無くしてしまいました。

I ended up losing my smartphone due to carelessness.

Using 'te shimaimashita' to express regret.

3

テストの点が悪くて、自信を無くしました。

The test score was bad, so I lost my confidence.

Abstract use: 'jishin o nakusu'.

4

大切な書類を無くさないようにしてください。

Please make sure not to lose the important documents.

Using 'youni shite kudasai' for a firm request.

5

昨日、公園で鍵を無くしたかもしれません。

I might have lost my keys at the park yesterday.

Using 'kamoshiremasen' for uncertainty.

6

無くした財布が警察で見つかりました。

The wallet I lost was found at the police station.

Using 'nakushita' as a noun modifier.

7

やる気を無くさないで、頑張りましょう。

Don't lose your motivation; let's do our best.

Abstract use: 'yaruki o nakusu'.

8

彼はいつも何かを無くしています。

He is always losing something.

Using 'te imasu' for a habitual action.

1

社会から差別を無くすために活動しています。

We are working to eliminate discrimination from society.

Using 'nakusu' as 'to eliminate'.

2

無駄な時間を無くせば、もっと勉強できます。

If we eliminate wasted time, we can study more.

Conditional form 'nakuseba'.

3

彼は失敗して、すっかり元気を無くしてしまった。

He failed and completely lost his spirit.

Using 'sukkari' for emphasis.

4

交通事故を無くすのは難しいことです。

Eliminating traffic accidents is a difficult thing.

Nominalizing the verb with 'no wa'.

5

新しい仕事を見つけて、不安を無くしたいです。

I want to find a new job and eliminate my anxiety.

Abstract use: 'fuan o nakusu'.

6

この町からゴミを無くしましょう。

Let's eliminate trash from this town.

Volitional form 'nakushimashou'.

7

記憶を無くすという病気について調べた。

I researched a disease where one loses their memory.

Using 'to iu' to define the loss.

8

君のせいでチャンスを無くしたんだよ。

I lost the chance because of you.

Using 'no sei de' for blame.

1

政府は貧困を無くすための新しい政策を発表した。

The government announced a new policy to eliminate poverty.

Formal context: eliminating a social issue.

2

一度無くした信用を取り戻すのは容易ではない。

It is not easy to regain trust once it has been lost.

Using 'nakushita' in a complex sentence about trust.

3

不祥事によって、その企業はブランド力を無くした。

Due to the scandal, the company lost its brand power.

Business context: loss of an intangible asset.

4

核兵器を無くすことは人類の共通の願いだ。

Eliminating nuclear weapons is a common wish of humanity.

High-level political/humanitarian context.

5

彼は若くして両親を亡くしました。

He lost his parents at a young age.

Note the kanji 亡くす for losing people.

6

デジタル化によって、紙の書類を無くすことが可能になった。

Digitalization has made it possible to eliminate paper documents.

Technical context: process improvement.

7

偏見を無くす教育が今、求められている。

Education that eliminates prejudice is what is needed now.

Passive construction 'motomerarete iru'.

8

彼はギャンブルで全財産を無くしてしまった。

He lost his entire fortune through gambling.

Serious financial loss.

1

伝統文化を無くすことは、民族のアイデンティティを失うことに等しい。

Losing traditional culture is equivalent to losing ethnic identity.

Philosophical/Sociological comparison.

2

過度な規制は、企業の競争力を無くす恐れがある。

Excessive regulation risks destroying the competitiveness of companies.

Using 'osore ga aru' (there is a fear/risk).

3

その作家は、言葉の壁を無くすような表現を追求した。

The author pursued expressions that would eliminate language barriers.

Literary/Artistic context.

4

汚職を根絶し、不正を無くすための抜本的な改革が必要だ。

Radical reforms are needed to eradicate corruption and eliminate injustice.

Using 'konzetsu' (eradication) alongside 'nakusu'.

5

静寂を無くした都会の喧騒に、彼は疲れ果てていた。

He was exhausted by the urban bustle that had lost its tranquility.

Poetic use in a relative clause.

6

科学の進歩が、未知への恐怖を無くしてくれるわけではない。

Scientific progress does not necessarily eliminate the fear of the unknown.

Nuanced negative 'wake de wa nai'.

7

彼は自らの過ちによって、将来の選択肢を無くしてしまった。

He lost his future options due to his own mistakes.

Abstract consequence of actions.

8

この制度は、格差を無くすどころか、むしろ拡大させている。

Far from eliminating the gap, this system is actually widening it.

Using 'dokoroka' (far from).

1

実存的な危機に直面し、彼は生の意味を無くしかけていた。

Facing an existential crisis, he was on the verge of losing the meaning of life.

Existential/Philosophical context.

2

言語の多様性を無くすことは、人類の知的遺産を損なう行為である。

The elimination of linguistic diversity is an act that damages humanity's intellectual heritage.

High-level academic discourse.

3

その政策の不備が、国民の政府に対する信頼を根底から無くさせた。

The flaws in that policy caused the public's trust in the government to be lost from its very foundations.

Causative form 'nakusaseta' with 'kontei kara'.

4

彼は、一切の執着を無くすことで悟りの境地に達しようとした。

He sought to reach a state of enlightenment by eliminating all attachments.

Religious/Zen context.

5

情報の非対称性を無くすことが、市場の健全な発展には不可欠だ。

Eliminating information asymmetry is essential for the healthy development of the market.

Economic terminology.

6

歴史の闇に葬られ、その文明の記録は永遠に無くされてしまった。

Buried in the darkness of history, the records of that civilization were lost forever.

Passive voice 'nakusarete shimatta'.

7

恣意的な判断を無くし、客観的な基準に基づいた評価を行うべきだ。

Arbitrary judgments should be eliminated, and evaluations should be based on objective criteria.

Legal/Administrative context.

8

彼は、自らの存在理由を無くしたかのような虚脱感に襲われた。

He was struck by a sense of lethargy, as if he had lost his reason for being.

Psychological depth.

Häufige Kollokationen

財布を無くす
自信を無くす
やる気を無くす
鍵を無くす
無駄を無くす
差別を無くす
興味を無くす
記憶を無くす
チャンスを無くす
信用を無くす

Häufige Phrasen

無くしてしまいました

無くさないでください

無くしたかもしれません

どこで無くしましたか

絶対に無くさないで

自信を無くさないで

無駄を無くそう

無くした物が見つかる

不注意で無くす

大切なものを無くす

Wird oft verwechselt mit

無くします vs 無くなる

無くします vs 忘れる

無くします vs 亡くす

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

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""

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""

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Leicht verwechselbar

無くします vs

無くします vs

無くします vs

無くします vs

無くします vs

Satzmuster

Wortfamilie

Verwandt

So verwendest du es

social usage

Used for policy and social improvement.

transitivity

Always requires an object.

abstract usage

Commonly used for psychological states.

Häufige Fehler

  • Transitive verbs like nakusu need 'o'.

  • You don't 'lose' a road; you 'get lost' on it.

  • Nakusu is for objects, not for losing a competition.

  • If you know it's at home, you 'forgot' it, not 'lost' it.

  • Use the correct kanji for death to be respectful.

Tipps

Particle Check

Always use 'o' for the item lost. Using 'ga' changes the meaning to the intransitive 'nakunaru'.

Express Regret

Add 'shimaimashita' when talking to others about losing your own things to sound more natural.

Abstract Use

Don't be afraid to use it for 'confidence' (jishin) or 'motivation' (yaruki). It's very common.

Kanji Choice

Stick to hiragana if you aren't sure about the kanji, especially when talking about people.

Lost and Found

If you lose something, ask 'Wasuremono-yiba wa doko desu ka?' (Where is the lost and found?)

Verb Endings

Listen for 'nakusanaide' in instructions; it's a common warning from staff or teachers.

Elimination

In professional contexts, think of 'nakusu' as 'to eliminate' rather than 'to lose'.

Naku = Cry

In Japanese, 'naku' also means 'to cry'. You cry when you 'nakusu' (lose) something!

Sympathy

If a friend says they lost something, reply with 'Zannen desu ne' (That's too bad).

Transitive Pairs

Review 'nakusu' and 'nakunaru' together to solidify your understanding of Japanese transitivity.

Einprägen

Wortherkunft

Old Japanese

Kultureller Kontext

Lost items are usually turned into the nearest police box.

Losing something belonging to others requires a deep apology (moushiwake arimasen).

Using the wrong kanji (亡 vs 無) can be a major faux pas in writing about death.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Gesprächseinstiege

"何かを無くしたことはありますか？ (Have you ever lost something?)"

"最近、何を無くしましたか？ (What did you lose recently?)"

"無くした物が見つかったことはありますか？ (Has something you lost ever been found?)"

"どうやって無駄を無くしていますか？ (How do you eliminate waste?)"

"自信を無くした時、どうしますか？ (What do you do when you lose confidence?)"

Tagebuch-Impulse

今日、無くした物について書いてください。 (Write about something you lost today.)

世界から無くしたいものを一つ選んでください。 (Choose one thing you want to eliminate from the world.)

大切なものを無くした時の気持ちを説明してください。 (Explain your feelings when you lost something important.)

自信を無くした経験について書いてください。 (Write about an experience where you lost confidence.)

どうすれば忘れ物を無くせると思いますか？ (How do you think we can eliminate forgotten items?)

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

Phonetically yes, but you must use the kanji 亡くします. For objects, use 無くします. It is better to use specific terms for people to avoid sounding like you 'misplaced' them.

Nakushita is a simple statement of fact. Nakushite shimatta adds a layer of regret, sadness, or indicates it was an accident. The latter is much more common in daily speech.

You don't use 'nakushimasu' for that. You say 'Michi ni mayoimashita' (道に迷いました).

No, for losing a game or match, use 'makemasu' (負けます).

No, use 'yasemasu' (痩せます) or 'taijuu ga herimasu' (体重が減ります).

Yes, especially when talking about 'eliminating waste' (muda o nakusu) or 'reducing errors' (misu o nakusu).

The object you lost is marked with 'o' (を). The place where you lost it is marked with 'de' (で).

No, it specifically means the loss of possession or existence, not the act of spending money (tsukaimasu).

You can say 'Nakushita mono wa arimashita ka?' (Was the lost item there/found?)

It is a Group 1 (Godan) verb because it ends in 'su'.

Teste dich selbst 180 Fragen

/ 180 correct

Perfect score!

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