音沙汰(おとさた)

A compound of 音(おと) (sound) and 沙汰(さた) (news, tidings). Almost exclusively used in the negative pattern 音沙汰(おとさた)がない, meaning 'no word from someone' or 'no sign of life.' Using it in a positive statement is rare and sounds literary.

Usage

The most common pattern is 音沙汰(おとさた)がない or 音沙汰(おとさた)のない. It implies waiting or expecting contact that never comes — from a person, a company after a job application, etc. It carries a nuance of worry, frustration, or disappointment.

Common collocations

• 音沙汰(おとさた)がない — no word, no news
• 音沙汰(おとさた)のないまま — with no word at all
• しばらく音沙汰(おとさた)がない — haven't heard anything for a while

Similar words

• 連絡(れんらく) — contact, communication; the neutral everyday word
• 便(たよ)り — news, letter; slightly literary, often positive
• 消息(しょうそく) — news of someone, whereabouts; more formal, used about someone's current status