Meaning
失去 means to lose something that you previously had or possessed. It emphasizes the departure or absence of something valuable—whether tangible (like objects, people) or intangible (like opportunities, abilities, memories). The word carries a sense of loss that is often permanent or difficult to recover.
Usage
This is a formal to neutral register verb commonly used in both spoken and written Chinese. It often appears with abstract nouns like 信心 (confidence), 机会 (opportunity), or 记忆 (memory), as well as concrete objects and people. Native speakers use it to express regret or sadness about losing something important.
Examples
- 01他因为一次错误决定失去了工作。.He lost his job because of one wrong decision.
- 02我们不能失去这个难得的机会。.We cannot lose this rare opportunity.
Characters
Common collocations
- 失去信心to lose confidence
- 失去机会to lose an opportunity
- 失去联系to lose contact
- 失去理智to lose one's senses/rationality
Antonyms
Origin
The compound combines 失 (to lose, to fail) with 去 (to go away), creating the meaning of something being lost or going away from one's possession.