Meaning and Usage
The verb 無くす (なくす) means "to lose something" or "to get rid of something unintentionally." It is commonly used in everyday conversation when talking about losing personal belongings like keys, wallets, or documents.
Common Collocations
- 財布を無くす (さいふをなくす): to lose a wallet
- 書類を無くす (しょるいをなくす): to lose documents
- 無くしてしまう: to lose something completely, often with a nuance of regret or accident
Usage Notes
無くす is a transitive verb, so it requires a direct object (the thing lost). It often appears with しまう to express regret or that the loss was accidental. Be careful not to confuse 無くす with 亡くす (also pronounced なくす), which means "to lose someone (to death)." The context and kanji clarify the meaning.
Register and Politeness
無くす is neutral and commonly used in casual and polite speech. When speaking formally, you might use expressions like 失くす (same reading) or more polite phrases depending on context.