行 方 不 明(ゆくえふめい)

ゆくえふめい

noun, adjective-na

missing, whereabouts unknown

1. missing, whereabouts unknown, unaccounted for

A state in which a person's location is unknown and they cannot be contacted. Frequently used in news reports about disasters, accidents, and missing persons cases.

息子(むすこ)が行方不明(ゆくえふめい)になった。

My son has gone missing.

台風(たいふう)のあと、まだ三人(さんにん)が行方不明(ゆくえふめい)のままだ。

After the typhoon, three people are still unaccounted for.

警察(けいさつ)は行方不明(ゆくえふめい)になった女性(じょせい)の情報(じょうほう)を広(ひろ)く呼(よ)びかけている。

The police are making a broad appeal for information about the missing woman.

USAGE:
A very common expression in news reports. Often used with になる (to go missing) or の/な as a modifier. The compound is made of 行方(ゆくえ) (whereabouts) + 不明(ふめい) (unknown).

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

行方不明(ゆくえふめい)になる: to go missing
行方不明(ゆくえふめい)者(しゃ): missing person
行方不明(ゆくえふめい)届(とどけ): missing person report
行方不明(ゆくえふめい)のまま: still missing

general

Added 2026.2.27 19:11

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