You guys have been asking what the difference is between these three verbs. Let me try to explain it in a nutshell for you. All these three verbs could be translated as “to lose”. Well all three verbs are near in meaning, but förlora and mista are closer synonyms.
Förlora: You use the verb in cases where there is no going back. Somethin is done. Whatever has happened it´s happened. Like losing a game, losing a girl- or boyfriend etc.
a., Mijonären som har förlorat allt ska starta eget.
b., The millionaire who has lost everything will start own business.
a., Han var 15 när han förlorade oskulden.
b., He was 15 when he lost his virginity. OBs! Don´t use the synonym mista in this case. It would be not only dramatic but it would feel like that the person is not really “happy” about the fact.
Tappa: You use the verb in situations where you have lost something but there is a chance that you or someone else will find it.
a., Jag har tappat/tappa bort min plånbok.
b., I have lost my wallet.
OBS! The word tappa has several meanings. Tappa vin på flaska= to bottle wine, tappa på blood=to drain blood
Tappa bort would mean to lose something but in spoken language you often use just “tappa”. It is also possible to combine the verb “tappa” with other prepositions as well like; tappa x över= tappa kontrollen över någonting=to lose the control over something. You can also lose your temper. Han tappade humöret på mötet.=He lost his temper at the meeting. In certain expressions you wouldn´t use preps. like; tappa håret=to lose hair, tappa aptiten= to lose one´s apetite
Mista: You use the word in very emotional or dramatic situations. OBS! mista and förlora are synonyms, but certain expressions demand certain verbs.
a., Hon har mist sin dotter i en bilolycka or Hon har förlorat sin dotter i bilolycka. Both works!
b., She has lost her daughter in a car crash.
a., Han har mist synen. or Har förlorat synen.
b., He has lost his sight.
