見落とす

• Reading: みおとす
• Romaji: miotosu
• Kanji breakdown: 見 (ken/mi) — see, look; 落 (raku/oto) — drop, fall, miss
• Pronunciation: /mi.o.to.sɯ/

Meaning

To overlook; to miss; to fail to notice something that was there to be seen.

A Group 1 (godan) verb combining 見 (to look) and 落とす (to drop, to let fall). The image is of one's gaze passing over something without registering it, letting it fall out of awareness. It implies an unintentional lapse in attention rather than deliberate disregard, and is used in professional contexts such as proofreading, inspections, or medical examinations where missing details has consequences.

Examples

1. 書類を確認する際、重要な条項を見落としてしまった。 While reviewing the documents, I overlooked an important clause.
2. 急いでいたせいで標識を見落として道に迷ってしまった。 Because I was in a hurry, I missed the sign and got lost.
3. 細かいミスを見落とさないよう、校正作業には慎重を期した。 I took great care with the proofreading so as not to overlook any minor errors.

Usage Guide

Context: proofreading, inspection, navigation, professional work

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 見 (to see, to look) and 落とす (to drop, to let fall). The metaphor is of the eye failing to catch something, allowing it to fall from one's awareness unnoticed.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: All classes