機会を逃す

The word '機会' (kikai) means 'opportunity' or 'chance.' It is a compound word formed from '機' (ki), meaning 'machine,' 'loom,' 'chance,' or 'occasion,' and '会' (kai), meaning 'meeting,' 'assembly,' 'gathering,' or 'association.' The character '機' originally referred to a loom, an intricate machine, and by extension came to mean a critical moment or a 'chance' due to the precision and timing involved in weaving. '会' signifies coming together or a convergence, further reinforcing the idea of a specific moment or conjunction of events. The verb '逃す' (nogasu) means 'to miss,' 'to let slip,' 'to lose an opportunity,' or 'to fail to catch.' It is related to '逃げる' (nigeru), meaning 'to flee' or 'to escape,' suggesting an active or passive act of allowing something to get away. Therefore, '機会を逃す' literally translates to 'to miss an opportunity' or 'to let an opportunity escape.' This phrase captures the essence of failing to capitalize on a favorable circumstance, often leading to regret or missed benefits. Its usage is quite common in Japanese to express the sentiment of a lost chance.