Japanese word

不在

Pronunciation

Romajifuzai

Meaning

  • nounbeing away

Example

担当者は今不在です。tan tō sha wa ima fu zai de su

The person in charge is away now.

Illustration for 不在 (being away)

More examples

先生が不在の間に、伝言を残しました。sen sei ga fu zai no aida ni den gon o noko shi ma shi ta

I left a message while the teacher was away.

Core concept

Describes someone or something being absent from a place where it is normally expected.

Common phrases

  • 不在のためfu zai no ta me

    because of the absence

  • 不在を確認するfu zai o kaku nin su ru

    confirm an absence

  • 不在の期間fu zai no ki kan

    period of absence

Similar words

留守rusu: The condition of being away from home and not available there.
欠席kesseki: The condition of not being present at an event or gathering.
欠勤kekkin: The condition of not coming to work at an expected time.

Definition in Japanese

人や物が、いるべき場所にいないこと。hito ya mono ga i ru be ki ba sho ni i na i ko to

Word origin

不在 (fuzai) is a Sino-Japanese compound of 不 (fu, "not") and 在 (zai, "be present").

Usage tips

  • In workplace conversations, this word often appears in notices or phone messages to explain that the person someone wants is not currently available.

Opposites

  • 在席zaisekipresencenoun

Related words

  • 不在者fuzaishaabsenteenoun

Word lists with this word