Japanese word

留守

Pronunciation

Romajirusu

Meaning

  • nounbeing away from home

Example

父は留守です。chichi wa ru su de su

Father is away from home.

Illustration for 留守 (being away from home)

More examples

私が留守の間、荷物を受け取ってください。watashi ga ru su no aida ni motsu o u ke to tte ku da sa i

Please receive the package while I am away.

Core concept

Describes the state in which a person who normally belongs at a home or place is not there.

Common phrases

  • 留守にするru su ni su ru

    be away from home

  • 留守中ru su chū

    during one's absence

  • 留守の間ru su no aida

    while someone is away

  • 留守を預かるru su o azu ka ru

    look after the house while someone is away

Similar words

不在fuzai: A formal term for the state of not being at an expected place.

Definition in Japanese

人が家を離れて、そこにいないこと。hito ga ie o hana re te so ko ni i na i ko to

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese term 留守 (rusu) combines 留 (ryū, "remain") and 守 (shu, "guard"), originally describing someone who remains to guard a place while another person is away.

Usage tips

  • 留守 (rusu) usually describes a temporary absence from home, so it does not by itself mean that a person has moved away.

Other meanings

  • absencenoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word