# 損なう / 損ねる / 損じる: to do something wrong; by mistake; to miss a chance; to fail to ~

> Learn how to use 損なう, 損ねる, 損じる (to fail to, miss, or bungle something) in Japanese, with structure, nuances, mistakes, and JLPT N1 comparisons.

JLPT level: N1 · Updated: 2026-05-18 · Canonical: https://hane-app.com/blog/n1-sokonau-sokoneru-sonjiru/

**<ruby>損なう<rp>(</rp><rt>そこなう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> / <ruby>損ねる<rp>(</rp><rt>そこねる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> / <ruby>損じる<rp>(</rp><rt>そんじる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>** means **to do something wrong; by mistake; to miss a chance; to fail to ~**. These three compound verbs attach to the stem of another verb to express that the action was mishandled, missed, or performed incorrectly. They are a set of JLPT N1 patterns you’ll encounter in both reading and listening, often as subtle markers of failure or regret.

<div class="pullquote">
  If you want to show that you not only didn’t do something but you messed it up or let the chance slip away, this family of verbs is essential.
</div>

## What does <ruby>損なう<rp>(</rp><rt>そこなう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> / <ruby>損ねる<rp>(</rp><rt>そこねる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> / <ruby>損じる<rp>(</rp><rt>そんじる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> mean?

Use **<ruby>損なう<rp>(</rp><rt>そこなう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> / <ruby>損ねる<rp>(</rp><rt>そこねる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> / <ruby>損じる<rp>(</rp><rt>そんじる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>** when the outcome of an action is botched, missed, or simply fails to happen in the intended way. The three differ slightly:

- **<ruby>損なう<rp>(</rp><rt>そこなう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>** often points to *doing the action incorrectly* — a bungle, a slip, a misstep.
- **<ruby>損ねる<rp>(</rp><rt>そこねる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>** leans toward *missing the chance* or *failing to do something because of bad timing or personal error*.
- **<ruby>損じる<rp>(</rp><rt>そんじる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>** shares the same core but feels more formal or literary; it can also imply damage or loss resulting from the failure.

Natural translations include:
- to fail to do ~
- to miss a chance to ~
- to do ~ wrong / by mistake
- to bungle ~

Pick the English phrase that fits the nuance of the particular verb and the sentence’s context.

## How to form <ruby>損なう<rp>(</rp><rt>そこなう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> / <ruby>損ねる<rp>(</rp><rt>そこねる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> / <ruby>損じる<rp>(</rp><rt>そんじる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>

All three attach directly to the **masu‑stem** of a verb (the form before ます). They are all ichidan (Group 2) verbs, so they conjugate regularly.

<div class="formation">
  <div class="formula">
    <span class="ftoken t-stem">Verb stem (ます‑form minus ます)</span>
    <span class="fplus">+</span>
    <span class="ftoken t-core"><ruby>損なう<rp>(</rp><rt>そこなう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> / <ruby>損ねる<rp>(</rp><rt>そこねる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> / <ruby>損じる<rp>(</rp><rt>そんじる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby></span>
  </div>
</div>

Examples of the pattern:
- <ruby>書き<rp>(</rp><rt>かき</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><strong><ruby>損なう<rp>(</rp><rt>そこなう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby></strong>
- <ruby>食べ<rp>(</rp><rt>たべ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><strong><ruby>損ねる<rp>(</rp><rt>そこねる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby></strong>
- <ruby>読み<rp>(</rp><rt>よみ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><strong><ruby>損じる<rp>(</rp><rt>そんじる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby></strong>
- <ruby>聞き<rp>(</rp><rt>きき</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><strong><ruby>損なう<rp>(</rp><rt>そこなう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby></strong> ／ <ruby>聞き<rp>(</rp><rt>きき</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><strong><ruby>損ねる<rp>(</rp><rt>そこねる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby></strong> ／ <ruby>聞き<rp>(</rp><rt>きき</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><strong><ruby>損じる<rp>(</rp><rt>そんじる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby></strong>

The stem never changes; if the base verb is irregular (する, <ruby>来る<rp>(</rp><rt>くる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>), you use its stem: し‑, <ruby>来<rp>(</rp><rt>き</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>‑.

<div class="note-callout">
  <div class="note-icon">💡</div>
  <div class="note-body">Most errors in JLPT multiple‑choice questions come from attaching a dictionary form or a て‑form instead of the stem. Drill the stem + compound pattern until it feels automatic.</div>
</div>

## When is <ruby>損なう<rp>(</rp><rt>そこなう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> / <ruby>損ねる<rp>(</rp><rt>そこねる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> / <ruby>損じる<rp>(</rp><rt>そんじる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> used?

Use these patterns in situations like:
- describing a self‑inflicted mistake (“I mispronounced it,” “I wrote it wrong”)
- expressing regret about a missed opportunity (“I ended up not eating,” “I failed to ask”)
- narrating an accident or oversight
- adding a formal, sometimes literary weight to the idea of failure (especially <ruby>損じる<rp>(</rp><rt>そんじる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>)

Tone and register:
- **<ruby>損なう<rp>(</rp><rt>そこなう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>** and **<ruby>損ねる<rp>(</rp><rt>そこねる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>** are everyday, neutral‑to‑slightly‑informal; common in spoken Japanese.
- **<ruby>損じる<rp>(</rp><rt>そんじる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>** is neutral‑to‑formal, more likely in writing, news, or polite speech.

These patterns often appear in N1 reading comprehension where the writer wants to show that a character or narrator didn’t just “not do” something, but “failed to do it properly.”

## <ruby>損なう<rp>(</rp><rt>そこなう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> / <ruby>損ねる<rp>(</rp><rt>そこねる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> / <ruby>損じる<rp>(</rp><rt>そんじる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> example sentences

<div class="examples">
  <div class="example">
    <div class="example-jp"><span class="furi">漢字</span>を<ruby>書き<rp>(</rp><rt>かき</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><span class="furi">損</span>なった。</div>
    <div class="example-en">I wrote the kanji wrong.</div>
    <div class="example-foot"><span class="example-tag">daily</span> <span class="example-tag">mistake</span></div>
  </div>
  <div class="example">
    <div class="example-jp"><ruby>電車<rp>(</rp><rt>でんしゃ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>に<ruby>乗り<rp>(</rp><rt>のり</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><span class="furi">遅</span>れて、せっかくのランチを<ruby>食べ<rp>(</rp><rt>たべ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><span class="furi">損</span>ねた。</div>
    <div class="example-en">The train was late and I missed my chance to eat that special lunch.</div>
    <div class="example-foot"><span class="example-tag">missed opportunity</span></div>
  </div>
  <div class="example">
    <div class="example-jp"><ruby>大事<rp>(</rp><rt>だいじ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>なことを<ruby>言い<rp>(</rp><rt>いい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><span class="furi">損</span>ねてしまった。</div>
    <div class="example-en">I failed to say the important thing (I meant to say it but the timing slipped).</div>
    <div class="example-foot"><span class="example-tag">regret</span></div>
  </div>
  <div class="example">
    <div class="example-jp"><ruby>名前<rp>(</rp><rt>なまえ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>を<ruby>聞き<rp>(</rp><rt>きき</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><span class="furi">損</span>じたため、<ruby>連絡<rp>(</rp><rt>れんらく</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>ができなかった。</div>
    <div class="example-en">Because I failed to catch the name, I couldn’t get in touch.</div>
    <div class="example-foot"><span class="example-tag">formal written</span></div>
  </div>
  <div class="example">
    <div class="example-jp"><ruby>彼<rp>(</rp><rt>かれ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>はお<ruby>金<rp>(</rp><rt>かね</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>を<ruby>使い<rp>(</rp><rt>つかい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><span class="furi">損</span>なって、<ruby>旅行<rp>(</rp><rt>りょこう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>に<ruby>行け<rp>(</rp><rt>いけ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>なくなった。</div>
    <div class="example-en">He messed up his spending and ended up unable to go on the trip.</div>
    <div class="example-foot"><span class="example-tag">bungle</span> <span class="example-tag">consequence</span></div>
  </div>
  <div class="example">
    <div class="example-jp"><ruby>本<rp>(</rp><rt>ほん</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>を<ruby>読み<rp>(</rp><rt>よみ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><span class="furi">損</span>じたので、レポートが<ruby>書け<rp>(</rp><rt>かけ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>なかった。</div>
    <div class="example-en">I botched reading the book (maybe misread key parts or didn’t finish), so I couldn’t write the report.</div>
    <div class="example-foot"><span class="example-tag">academic</span> <span class="example-tag">formal</span></div>
  </div>
</div>

After reading each sentence, ask what kind of failure is being described: a mistake *while doing*, a missed *chance*, or a formal/literary failure. That makes the nuance stick better than a one‑word translation.

## Nuance of <ruby>損なう<rp>(</rp><rt>そこなう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> / <ruby>損ねる<rp>(</rp><rt>そこねる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> / <ruby>損じる<rp>(</rp><rt>そんじる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>

The shared core is **action fails to reach its intended result**, but the flavor of failure differs:

- **<ruby>損なう<rp>(</rp><rt>そこなう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>** — you did the action, but you did it *wrong*. Think “mis‑write,” “mis‑hear.” The agent is active and bumbling.

- **<ruby>損ねる<rp>(</rp><rt>そこねる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>** — you *meant* to do it but the opportunity slipped away, often because of your own hesitation, forgetfulness, or a small mistake in timing. It’s the most “missed‑a‑chance” feeling.

- **<ruby>損じる<rp>(</rp><rt>そんじる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>** — adds a layer of formality and sometimes a sense of damage: you not only failed, but the failure caused harm or loss. Common in keigo, business, and literature.

Learners sometimes assume these three are freely interchangeable, but context and formality create distinct expectations. A native speaker would rarely use <ruby>損じる<rp>(</rp><rt>そんじる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> to explain a casual typo in a text message, and <ruby>損ねる<rp>(</rp><rt>そこねる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> sounds odd for a bungled physical action like cutting paper.

## <ruby>損なう<rp>(</rp><rt>そこなう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> / <ruby>損ねる<rp>(</rp><rt>そこねる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> / <ruby>損じる<rp>(</rp><rt>そんじる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> vs そびれる

Both **<ruby>損ねる<rp>(</rp><rt>そこねる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>** and **そびれる** mean “to miss a chance to do something,” but the feeling differs.

<div class="compare">
  <div class="cmp a">
    <div class="cmp-head"><ruby>損なう<rp>(</rp><rt>そこなう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> / <ruby>損ねる<rp>(</rp><rt>そこねる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> / <ruby>損じる<rp>(</rp><rt>そんじる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby></div>
    <div class="cmp-sub">failure often tied to the speaker’s own mistake, carelessness, or active bungle</div>
    <div class="cmp-when">when you tried and messed up, or you forgot to act and regret it</div>
    <div class="cmp-eg"><ruby>電車<rp>(</rp><rt>でんしゃ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>を<ruby>逃し<rp>(</rp><rt>のがし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て<ruby>面接<rp>(</rp><rt>めんせつ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>に<ruby>行き<rp>(</rp><rt>いき</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><ruby>損ね<rp>(</rp><rt>そこね</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>た。</div>
    <div class="cmp-eg-en">I missed the train and failed to go to the interview (my fault for being late).</div>
  </div>
  <div class="vs">VS</div>
  <div class="cmp b">
    <div class="cmp-head">そびれる</div>
    <div class="cmp-sub">failure usually caused by external circumstances or a loss of nerve</div>
    <div class="cmp-when">the chance passed you by; you couldn’t bring yourself to do it</div>
    <div class="cmp-eg"><ruby>面接<rp>(</rp><rt>めんせつ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>で<ruby>聞き<rp>(</rp><rt>きき</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>たいことを<ruby>聞き<rp>(</rp><rt>きき</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>そびれた。</div>
    <div class="cmp-eg-en">I missed my chance to ask what I wanted at the interview (the atmosphere didn’t allow it, or I lost the nerve).</div>
  </div>
</div>

If both translations seem possible, check the *source* of the failure. If the speaker blames themselves (even silently), <ruby>損ねる<rp>(</rp><rt>そこねる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> is likely. If the emphasis is on the situation forcing the missed opportunity, そびれる fits.

## Common mistakes with <ruby>損なう<rp>(</rp><rt>そこなう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> / <ruby>損ねる<rp>(</rp><rt>そこねる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> / <ruby>損じる<rp>(</rp><rt>そんじる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>

<div class="mistakes">
  <div class="mistake">
    <div class="mline">
      <div class="mark bad">❌</div>
      <div class="mline-body"><ruby>宿題<rp>(</rp><rt>しゅくだい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>をやる<span class="bad"><ruby>損なっ<rp>(</rp><rt>そこなっ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>た</span>。</div>
    </div>
    <div class="mline">
      <div class="mark good">✅</div>
      <div class="mline-body"><ruby>宿題<rp>(</rp><rt>しゅくだい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>をやり<span class="good"><ruby>損なっ<rp>(</rp><rt>そこなっ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>た</span>。</div>
    </div>
    <div class="note">The compound attaches to the stem (やり), not the dictionary form (やる).</div>
  </div>
  <div class="mistake">
    <div class="mline">
      <div class="mark bad">❌</div>
      <div class="mline-body"><ruby>食べ<rp>(</rp><rt>たべ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><span class="bad"><ruby>損じる<rp>(</rp><rt>そんじる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby></span>って、<ruby>お腹<rp>(</rp><rt>おなか</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>が<ruby>空い<rp>(</rp><rt>あい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>た。</div>
    </div>
    <div class="mline">
      <div class="mark good">✅</div>
      <div class="mline-body"><ruby>食べ<rp>(</rp><rt>たべ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><span class="good"><ruby>損ね<rp>(</rp><rt>そこね</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て</span>、<ruby>お腹<rp>(</rp><rt>おなか</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>が<ruby>空い<rp>(</rp><rt>あい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>た。</div>
    </div>
    <div class="note"><ruby>損じる<rp>(</rp><rt>そんじる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> is too formal for casual speech about a missed meal; <ruby>損ねる<rp>(</rp><rt>そこねる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> is natural.</div>
  </div>
  <div class="mistake">
    <div class="mline">
      <div class="mark bad">❌</div>
      <div class="mline-body">ただ<ruby>時間<rp>(</rp><rt>じかん</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>がなくて、<ruby>会議<rp>(</rp><rt>かいぎ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>に<ruby>出<rp>(</rp><rt>で</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><span class="bad"><ruby>損なっ<rp>(</rp><rt>そこなっ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>た</span>。</div>
    </div>
    <div class="mline">
      <div class="mark good">✅</div>
      <div class="mline-body"><ruby>時間<rp>(</rp><rt>じかん</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>がなくて、<ruby>会議<rp>(</rp><rt>かいぎ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>に<ruby>出<rp>(</rp><rt>で</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><span class="good">られなかった</span>。</div>
    </div>
    <div class="note">If you simply couldn’t attend due to a schedule conflict (no mistake or missed‑chance nuance), plain <ruby>出<rp>(</rp><rt>で</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>られなかった is correct; <ruby>損なう<rp>(</rp><rt>そこなう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> implies you tried and botched something.</div>
  </div>
</div>

A helpful drill: write a sentence with やり<ruby>損なう<rp>(</rp><rt>そこなう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>, then rewrite it with やりそびれる. If the meaning or tone of self‑blame shifts, explain that shift in your own words.

## Is <ruby>損なう<rp>(</rp><rt>そこなう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> / <ruby>損ねる<rp>(</rp><rt>そこねる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> / <ruby>損じる<rp>(</rp><rt>そんじる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> on the JLPT?

<div class="jlpt-card">
  <div class="jlpt-shield">N1</div>
  <div class="jlpt-info">
    <div class="jlpt-checks">
      <div>✅ Appears in N1 grammar lists</div>
      <div>✅ Tested in reading (understanding nuance of failure)</div>
      <div>✅ Occasionally tested in sentence‑order questions (e.g., choose the correct compound)</div>
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

Yes. These compound verbs are firmly N1 territory, though you may start seeing <ruby>損なう<rp>(</rp><rt>そこなう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> and <ruby>損ねる<rp>(</rp><rt>そこねる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> in N2‑level authentic materials. The exam focuses on recognizing which compound fits a given context: is the failure a bungle, a missed chance, or a formal misstep?

For test preparation, practice with sentences where both <ruby>損ねる<rp>(</rp><rt>そこねる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> and そびれる appear as answer choices. The JLPT loves that contrast.

## Practice questions for <ruby>損なう<rp>(</rp><rt>そこなう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> / <ruby>損ねる<rp>(</rp><rt>そこねる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> / <ruby>損じる<rp>(</rp><rt>そんじる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>

<div class="prompts">
  <div class="prompt">
    <div class="prompt-num">1</div>
    <div class="prompt-text">Use <ruby>書き<rp>(</rp><rt>かき</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><ruby>損なう<rp>(</rp><rt>そこなう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> to describe a time you sent a message with a typo.</div>
    <div class="prompt-tag">everyday mistake</div>
  </div>
  <div class="prompt">
    <div class="prompt-num">2</div>
    <div class="prompt-text">Write a sentence with <ruby>食べ<rp>(</rp><rt>たべ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><ruby>損ねる<rp>(</rp><rt>そこねる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> to explain that you couldn’t eat the limited‑edition dessert because you arrived late.</div>
    <div class="prompt-tag">missed chance</div>
  </div>
  <div class="prompt">
    <div class="prompt-num">3</div>
    <div class="prompt-text">Create a polite, formal sentence using <ruby>聞き<rp>(</rp><rt>きき</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><ruby>損じる<rp>(</rp><rt>そんじる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>, maybe at work.</div>
    <div class="prompt-tag">formal / keigo</div>
  </div>
  <div class="prompt">
    <div class="prompt-num">4</div>
    <div class="prompt-text">Compare <ruby>言い<rp>(</rp><rt>いい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><ruby>損ね<rp>(</rp><rt>そこね</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>た and <ruby>言い<rp>(</rp><rt>いい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>そびれた in a short diary entry — what does each one imply about how you felt?</div>
    <div class="prompt-tag">nuance contrast</div>
  </div>
</div>

Keep your first sentences simple. Once the stem + compound structure feels natural, layer in more context so the nuance of failure becomes clear.

## Learning path for <ruby>損なう<rp>(</rp><rt>そこなう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> / <ruby>損ねる<rp>(</rp><rt>そこねる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> / <ruby>損じる<rp>(</rp><rt>そんじる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>

<div class="path">
  <div class="path-step">
    <div class="step-num">1</div>
    <div class="step-body">Memorise the attachment rule: <strong>masu‑stem + <ruby>損なう<rp>(</rp><rt>そこなう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>/<ruby>損ねる<rp>(</rp><rt>そこねる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>/<ruby>損じる<rp>(</rp><rt>そんじる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby></strong>. Write five stems you often use, then add the three compounds.</div>
  </div>
  <div class="path-step">
    <div class="step-num">2</div>
    <div class="step-body">Learn the core nuance difference: bungle (<ruby>損なう<rp>(</rp><rt>そこなう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>) vs. missed chance (<ruby>損ねる<rp>(</rp><rt>そこねる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>) vs. formal failure/damage (<ruby>損じる<rp>(</rp><rt>そんじる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>). Make a cheat sheet with one example each.</div>
  </div>
  <div class="path-step">
    <div class="step-num">3</div>
    <div class="step-body">Compare with <a href="/blog/n1-sobireru/">そびれる</a>. Write pairs of sentences and ask a native speaker or tutor to confirm the nuance you think you’re conveying.</div>
  </div>
  <div class="path-step">
    <div class="step-num">4</div>
    <div class="step-body">Practice with the JLPT‑style contrast. Go through old N1 grammar drill questions. Pay attention to sentences where choosing <ruby>損ねる<rp>(</rp><rt>そこねる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> over そびれる is the whole point.</div>
  </div>
</div>

Finally, write a short story where something goes wrong multiple times, using at least one <ruby>損なう<rp>(</rp><rt>そこなう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>, one <ruby>損ねる<rp>(</rp><rt>そこねる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>, and one <ruby>損じる<rp>(</rp><rt>そんじる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>. Reading it aloud helps lock in the form.

## Related grammar to review next

- [そびれる](/blog/n1-sobireru/) — closely related “miss a chance” pattern, but emphasises external circumstances or lost nerve
- [すべがない](/blog/n1-sube-ga-nai/) — “have no way to do,” often appearing when a failure leaves someone without options
- [すら / ですら](/blog/n1-sura-de-sura/) — “even,” frequently used to highlight that something so basic was messed up or missed
- [そばから](/blog/n1-soba-kara/) — “as soon as; no sooner than,” often paired with actions that are immediately undone, echoing a pattern of failure to maintain

## Learn <ruby>損なう<rp>(</rp><rt>そこなう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> / <ruby>損ねる<rp>(</rp><rt>そこねる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> / <ruby>損じる<rp>(</rp><rt>そんじる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> with Hane

If you want to review **<ruby>損なう<rp>(</rp><rt>そこなう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> / <ruby>損ねる<rp>(</rp><rt>そこねる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> / <ruby>損じる<rp>(</rp><rt>そんじる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>** alongside the patterns above, Hane helps you drill them with focused, bite‑sized sessions. It keeps track of what sticks and what needs more reps.

Browse more lessons:
- [All grammar lessons](/blog/)
- [JLPT N1 grammar lessons](/blog/n1/)