Japanese

ことばをうしなう
Meaning: to be lost for words; to be speechless
Part of Speech: Verb

Listen to pronunciation

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Verb inflections

Form Affirmative Negative
Present 言葉を失う 言葉を失わない
Polite 言葉を失います 言葉を失いません
Past 言葉を失った 言葉を失わなかった
Polite + Past 言葉を失いました 言葉を失いませんでした
Te-form 言葉を失って 言葉を失わなくて
Potential 言葉を失える 言葉を失えない
Passive 言葉を失われる 言葉を失われない
Causative 言葉を失わせる 言葉を失わせない
Causative + Passive 言葉を失わされる 言葉を失わされない
Imperative 言葉を失え 言葉を失うな

Handwriting

言
葉
を
失
う

Example

Witnessing the tragedy of the accident, everyone was lost for words.

Usage Notes

Used when one is unable to speak due to extreme shock, emotion, or surprise.

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