〜そびれる

Meaning

This pattern expresses a result: the speaker missed the chance or failed to do something. It conveys feelings of regret or disappointment. Common collocations include 「言いそびれる」 (miss the chance to say), 「行きそびれる」 (miss the chance to go), and 「買いそびれる」 (miss the chance to buy). It is most often used in the past tense 「そびれた」 or with 「そびれてしまう」.

Formation

Examples

1. いつもより2本早い電車に乗らなければいけなかったのに、目覚ましをかけそびれて遅刻しそうになっている。
   I was supposed to catch a train two services earlier than usual, but I failed to set my alarm and now I'm about to be late.

2. いつも聞こう聞こうと思って聞きそびれていたんだけど、田中くんで、もしかしてみどり小学校の出身じゃない？
   I've always meant to ask but kept missing the chance — Tanaka, could it be that you're from Midori Elementary School?

3. 昨日仕事が忙しすぎて、ゆりちゃんに誕生日プレゼントを渡しそびれてしまった。
   I was too busy with work yesterday and missed the chance to give Yuri her birthday present.

4. 母に今日、帰りが遅くなると言いそびれたので休憩時間に電話をしなきゃ。
   I forgot to tell my mom I'd be home late today, so I need to call her during my break.

Summary

• 「〜そびれる」 means "miss the chance to...; fail to..."
• Attaches to Verbs (ます-form)