How to say "lapse" in Japanese

• 経過けいかJLPT N1approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verbCovers 'lapse' in the temporal sense: the passage or elapsing of time. Think of phrases like 'the lapse of time'; it is a neutral noun for time going by.
  それ以来いらい３年ねんが経過けいかした。↗

  Three years have passed since then.
• 失効しっこうCommon
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbCovers 'lapse' meaning expiration or invalidation: something in force, such as a contract or right, ceases to be valid. Use it when 'lapse' implies losing effect rather than time passing.
• 消滅しょうめつCommon
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbEssentially 'extinction' or 'disappearance': something ceasing to exist altogether. As a translation of 'lapse' it is marginal, fitting only cases where a right or claim is extinguished, and seldom the word you want otherwise.
  虎とらは消滅しょうめつしかかっている種族しゅぞくである。↗

  The tiger is a vanishing species.
• 落ち度おちどCommon
  nounCovers 'lapse' as a slip or fault — a lapse in judgment, memory, or attention. It suggests an error someone is responsible for, so it carries a nuance of blame or negligence.
  私のほうに落ち度おちどはない。↗

  There is no fault on my part.

Choose 経過 for the lapse of time, 失効 for something lapsing by losing validity, 消滅 for a right lapsing through extinction, and 「落ち度」 for a lapse meaning a slip or fault.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 経過けいかpassage (of time)
• 失効しっこうlapse
• 消滅しょうめつextinction
• 落ち度おちどmistake
• ラプスlapse
• 立ちたちpassage of time
• 流れるながれるto lapse (e.g. into indolence, despair)