損なう / 損ねる / 損じる 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.
What does 損なう / 損ねる / 損じる mean?
Use 損なう / 損ねる / 損じる when the outcome of an action is botched, missed, or simply fails to happen in the intended way. The three differ slightly:
- 損なう often points to doing the action incorrectly — a bungle, a slip, a misstep.
- 損ねる leans toward missing the chance or failing to do something because of bad timing or personal error.
- 損じる 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 損なう / 損ねる / 損じる
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.
Examples of the pattern:
- 書き損なう
- 食べ損ねる
- 読み損じる
- 聞き損なう ／ 聞き損ねる ／ 聞き損じる
The stem never changes; if the base verb is irregular (する, 来る), you use its stem: し‑, 来‑.
When is 損なう / 損ねる / 損じる 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 損じる)
Tone and register:
- 損なう and 損ねる are everyday, neutral‑to‑slightly‑informal; common in spoken Japanese.
- 損じる 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.”
損なう / 損ねる / 損じる example sentences
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 損なう / 損ねる / 損じる
The shared core is action fails to reach its intended result, but the flavor of failure differs:
-
損なう — you did the action, but you did it wrong. Think “mis‑write,” “mis‑hear.” The agent is active and bumbling.
-
損ねる — 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.
-
損じる — 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 損じる to explain a casual typo in a text message, and 損ねる sounds odd for a bungled physical action like cutting paper.
損なう / 損ねる / 損じる vs そびれる
Both 損ねる and そびれる mean “to miss a chance to do something,” but the feeling differs.
If both translations seem possible, check the source of the failure. If the speaker blames themselves (even silently), 損ねる is likely. If the emphasis is on the situation forcing the missed opportunity, そびれる fits.
Common mistakes with 損なう / 損ねる / 損じる
A helpful drill: write a sentence with やり損なう, 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 損なう / 損ねる / 損じる on the JLPT?
Yes. These compound verbs are firmly N1 territory, though you may start seeing 損なう and 損ねる 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 損ねる and そびれる appear as answer choices. The JLPT loves that contrast.
Practice questions for 損なう / 損ねる / 損じる
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 損なう / 損ねる / 損じる
Finally, write a short story where something goes wrong multiple times, using at least one 損なう, one 損ねる, and one 損じる. Reading it aloud helps lock in the form.
Related grammar to review next
- そびれる — closely related “miss a chance” pattern, but emphasises external circumstances or lost nerve
- すべがない — “have no way to do,” often appearing when a failure leaves someone without options
- すら / ですら — “even,” frequently used to highlight that something so basic was messed up or missed
- そばから — “as soon as; no sooner than,” often paired with actions that are immediately undone, echoing a pattern of failure to maintain
Learn 損なう / 損ねる / 損じる with Hane
If you want to review 損なう / 損ねる / 損じる 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.
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FAQ about 損なう / 損ねる / 損じる
What does 損なう / 損ねる / 損じる mean in Japanese?
損なう / 損ねる / 損じる means “to do something wrong; by mistake; to miss a chance; to fail to ~” in Japanese. It is an N1 grammar point, and this lesson explains its formation, nuance, example sentences, common mistakes, and similar grammar.
Is 損なう / 損ねる / 損じる on the JLPT?
損なう / 損ねる / 損じる is taught as N1 Japanese grammar in Hane's grammar lesson archive. Review it with examples, usage notes, and related N1 patterns.
How should I practice 損なう / 損ねる / 損じる?
Read several example sentences, identify the form before and after 損なう / 損ねる / 損じる, then make your own short sentences and compare it with nearby grammar points.