データ飛んだ

• Reading: データとんだ
• Romaji: deeta tonda
• Pronunciation: /de.e.ta.to.n.da/

Meaning

Data gone — all my data or save files were lost or wiped.

データ飛んだ (データとんだ) is an informal expression for losing data due to a crash, accidental deletion, or device failure. The verb 飛ぶ literally means 'to fly,' but in this context it means 'to vanish/be wiped out' — a usage that extends to other sudden losses in Japanese (e.g. 記憶が飛んだ, memory went blank). Extremely common among gamers who lose save data, or anyone whose phone or computer crashes. Often accompanied by despair emoji online.

Examples

1. スマホが壊れてデータ飛んだ、写真全部消えた。 My phone broke and all my data was gone — every single photo, lost.
2. アップデートしたらゲームのセーブデータ飛んだんだけど。 I updated the game and my save data just vanished.
3. バックアップ取ってなかったからデータ飛んで泣いてる。 I didn't have a backup, so my data's gone and I'm literally crying.

Usage Guide

Context: gaming, everyday conversation, social media, tech trouble

Tone: distressed, lamenting

Do Say

• データ飛んだ、マジで泣きそう。 (My data's gone, I'm seriously about to cry.)
• バックアップなしでデータ飛んだら詰みだよ。 (If your data disappears without a backup, you're done for.)

Don't Say

• 「データが消えた」のほうが丁寧 — 「データ飛んだ」はフォーマルな場面には不向き (「データが消えた」 is more polite — 「データ飛んだ」 is too casual for formal settings like IT support tickets)

Common Mistakes

• Using データ飛んだ in formal tech reports — use データが消失した or データが破損した in professional contexts
• Assuming 飛んだ always means permanently lost — sometimes data can be recovered, so check before giving up

Origin & History

The use of 飛ぶ to mean 'to vanish suddenly' is a well-established figurative sense in Japanese (e.g. 頭が飛んだ, 仕事が飛んだ). Its application to digital data loss became common in the 1990s–2000s as personal computers and game consoles became widespread, and entered everyday casual speech naturally.

Cultural Context

Era: 1990s–2000s digital era

Generation: All ages, especially gamers and tech users

Social background: Universal

Regional notes: Used across all of Japan. A universally dreaded experience that generates immediate sympathy online.