1. to miss
[verb]
[mis-sen, mis-te, ge-mist]

The verb “missen” can be used the same way as in English, ranging from “not hitting your target”, “not reaching your transport in time” to “missing your boyfriend”; check out the Examples (as well as the other two main translations) below.

Examples:
– “Ik ben op tijd vertrokken en alsnog heb ik mijn trein gemist!” 
(“I left on time and then still I missed my train!”)

– “Ben zo blij dat je er weer bent, ik heb je echt heel erg gemist!” 
(“(I) am so happy that you are back, I have really really missed you!”)

– “Deze maatregelen missen volledig het doel dat het management zich gesteld heeft.” 
(“These measures completely fail to achieve the goal that the management has set itself.”)

– “Zelfs professionele darters missen de triple 20 wel eens.” 
(“Even professional darts players miss the treble 20 now and then.”)

– “Ik mis je.” 
(“I miss you.”)

– “Gelukkig misten de bommen het doel.” 
(“Fortunately the bombs missed the target.”)

– “Wat kan ik zeggen, je had beter op moeten letten, dit is echt een gemiste kans!” 
(“What can I say, you should have paid attention better, this is really a missed chance!”)

Expressions:
– “Dat/het kan niet missen”: that/it can’t go wrong, that/it’s bound to work.

Related words:
– Raken: to hit [verb] [raakte, geraakt].

Example:
– “Nadat zijn eerste schot het doel volledig miste, raakte hij de lat.”
(“After his first shot had completely missed the goal, he hit the crossbar.”)

2. to be missing
[verb]
[mis-sen, mis-te, ge-mist]

In this translation, “missen” is used when an object or parts thereof are missing, leading to an ‘incomplete’ state. In case of missing persons we use the verb “vermissen”, see Related Words.

Examples:
– “We kunnen nog niet vertrekken, want we missen 3 passagiers.” 
(“We can’t leave yet, there are 3 passangers missing.”)

– “Het oude boek is ondanks de missende pagina’s nog steeds veel waard.” 
(“Despite the missing pages the old book is still worth a lot (of money).”)

Related words:
– Ontbreken: to be missing, to lack [verb] [ontbrak, ontbroken].

Example:
– “Er ontbraken spannende momenten in de voorspelling en de hoofdrolspeler ontbrak het aan techniek.”
(“The show lacked exciting moments and the main character was lacking in technique.”)

– Vermissen: to miss [verb] [vermiste, vermist].

Example:
– “Na de ramp werden 10 mensen vermist.”
(“After the disaster, 10 people were missing.”)

3. to do without, to get along without
[verb]
[mis-sen, mis-te, ge-mist]

In addition to the translation of “to (be able to) do without”, the verb “missen” can also be used when a person or something ‘lacks something’, e.g. confidence, see the Examples.

Examples:
– “Ik kan mijn mobiele telefoon niet meer missen, jij?” 
(“I can’t do without my cell phone anymore, can you?”)

– “Pff, ik kan het geld eigenlijk niet missen, maar toen ik deze spijkerbroek zag, moest ik hem gewoon kopen!” 
(“Pff, I can’t really spare the money, but when I saw these jeans, I just had to buy them!”)

– “Kun je je auto toevallig een paar uurtjes missen, ik moet naar de IKEA, alsjeblieft??” 
(“Can you by any chance do without your car for a few hours, I have to go to IKEA, please??”)

– “Kunt u een euro missen, ik heb geld nodig voor een slaapplaats.” 
(“Can you spare a euro, I need money for a place to sleep.”)

– “De presentatie van Frank miste overtuiging.” 
(“Frank’s presentation was unconvincing.”)

– “Hij is talentvol maar mist nog te veel zelfvertrouwen.” 
(“He is talented but lacks too much self confidence.”)

Related words:
– Nodig hebben: to need, to require [verb] [had nodig, nodig gehad].