失踪(しっそう)

しっそう
noun, suru verb
disappearance, going missing
1. disappearance, going missing, absconding
The act of a person disappearing from their normal life without notice. Implies someone has left or vanished, and their whereabouts are unknown. Carries a serious, often alarming tone.
社員(しゃいん)が突然(とつぜん)失踪(しっそう)した。
An employee suddenly went missing.
失踪(しっそう)から三(さん)年(ねん)が経(た)つが、まだ手(て)がかりはない。
Three years have passed since the disappearance, but there are still no leads.
警察(けいさつ)は失踪(しっそう)した女性(じょせい)の行方(ゆくえ)を追(お)って、周辺(しゅうへん)の防犯(ぼうはん)カメラを確認(かくにん)している。
The police are checking security cameras in the area as they track the whereabouts of the missing woman.

失踪(しっそう) specifically refers to a person disappearing, not objects or animals.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 失踪(しっそう)する: to go missing, to disappear
  • 失踪(しっそう)届(とどけ): a missing person report
  • 失踪(しっそう)者(しゃ): a missing person
  • 失踪(しっそう)事件(じけん): a disappearance case
  • 失踪(しっそう)宣告(せんこく): declaration of disappearance (legal term)

LEGAL NOTE:
In Japanese law, 失踪(しっそう)宣告(せんこく) is a legal declaration that a missing person is presumed dead after a set period (7 years for ordinary disappearance).

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 行方不明(ゆくえふめい): whereabouts unknown (often used in news reports)
  • 失踪(しっそう): emphasizes the act of disappearing, often voluntary
  • 蒸発(じょうはつ): colloquial for someone who vanishes from daily life
general
Added 2026.2.20 19:25
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