亡くす

• Reading: なくす
• Romaji: nakusu
• Kanji breakdown: 亡 (bou/na) — death, deceased, pass away
• Pronunciation: /na.kɯ.sɯ/

Meaning

To lose someone through death; to be bereaved of. Specifically refers to the death of a loved one.

A Group 1 (godan) transitive verb conjugated with the す row (亡くさない, 亡くします). Distinct from 無くす/失くす (to lose an object) — this word specifically means someone close to you has died. Used in contexts of grief and bereavement: 親を亡くす (to lose a parent), 友人を亡くす (to lose a friend). A more empathetic expression than simply saying 死んだ (died).

Examples

1. 彼は去年お母さんを亡くしたばかりだ。 He just lost his mother last year.
2. 若くして両親を亡くした経験がある。 I have the experience of losing both parents at a young age.
3. 大切な友人を病気で亡くした。 I lost a dear friend to illness.

Usage Guide

Context: bereavement, family, life events

Tone: solemn

Origin & History

The kanji 亡 depicts a person hiding or disappearing, representing death or absence. Combined with the verb-forming す, it creates 'to experience someone's passing.'

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal