逸する

• Reading: いっする
• Romaji: issuru
• Kanji breakdown: 逸 (itsu) — deviate, flee, excel
• Pronunciation: /is.sɯ.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To miss; to let slip; to deviate from; to be lost. Describes failing to seize an opportunity or straying from an expected norm.

A compound suru verb (Group 3) formed from 逸 (itsu, deviation/excellence) and する. In context it most commonly means to miss a chance or let something slip away, but it can also mean to stray from a topic or standard. Often appears in formal writing and speech. The negative form 逸しない conveys the importance of not missing something critical.

Examples

1. 絶好のチャンスを逸して、後悔してもしきれない。 I let the perfect opportunity slip away, and no amount of regret can make up for it.
2. 彼の発言は本論を逸して、議論が混乱した。 His remarks deviated from the main argument, throwing the discussion into confusion.
3. 一瞬の油断がミスを生み、勝機を逸してしまった。 A moment of carelessness led to a mistake, and we let our chance at victory slip away.

Usage Guide

Context: business, writing, sports, debate

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Classical Chinese 逸 (deviation, fleeing, excellence). Entered Japanese as a literary Sino-Japanese compound. The dual meaning of 'straying' and 'surpassing' reflects the original sense of something that escapes its usual bounds.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical–Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Educated