Japanese word

欠席

Pronunciation

Romajikesseki

Meaning

  • nounabsence

Example

病気で学校を欠席しました。byō ki de gak kō o kes seki shi ma shi ta

I was absent from school because I was sick.

Illustration for 欠席 (absence)

More examples

熱があるので、学校を欠席します。netsu ga a ru no de gak kō o kes seki shi ma su

I have a fever, so I will be absent from school.

大会を欠席することになったので、主催者に知らせました。tai kai o kes seki su ru ko to ni na tta no de shu sai sha ni shi ra se ma shi ta

Since I had to be absent from the tournament, I notified the organizer.

Core concept

Describes not being present at a place or event where attendance is expected.

Common phrases

  • 授業を欠席するju gyō o kes seki su ru

    be absent from class

  • 会議を欠席するkai gi o kes seki su ru

    be absent from a meeting

  • 試験を欠席するshi ken o kes seki su ru

    be absent from an exam

  • 欠席の連絡kes seki no ren raku

    notice of absence

Similar words

欠勤kekkin: Not going to work when scheduled to be there.
欠場ketsujō: Not taking part in a scheduled game, contest, or performance.

Definition in Japanese

出席すべき学校や会合などに出ないこと。shus seki su be ki gak kō ya kai gō na do ni de na i ko to

Word origin

欠席 (kesseki) combines 欠 (ketsu, "lack") with 席 (seki, "seat or place"), so its form suggests being missing from one's assigned place.

Usage tips

  • The English word absence can also mean a lack of something, whereas 欠席 (kesseki) is limited to nonattendance.

Opposites

Related words

  • 欠席者kessekishaabsenteenoun
  • 欠席率kessekiritsuabsence ratenoun

Word lists with this word