Translation guide
The state of being away or not present, or the lack of something. Japanese expresses this through nouns, verbs, and adjectives depending on context.
He is absent today.
Use 欠席 for formal absence from school/work.
There is an absence of evidence.
Use ～がない for lack of something.
To say someone is not here/there, is away, or did not attend.
Formal noun for absence, often used in official contexts like work or school.
He is absent today.
Noun for absence from a meeting, class, or event. Often used with する to mean 'to be absent'.
Casual way to say someone is not here. Use いません for polite.
Noun meaning 'not at home'. Often used in 留守にする (to be away from home) or 留守番 (house-sitting).
Noun for absence from work or school, often meaning 'day off' or 'rest'. Use 休む for the verb.
To say there is no X, or X is missing/lacking.
Basic pattern for 'there is no ~'. Use ありません for polite.
There is an absence of evidence.
Formal noun for lack or deficiency, often used in technical or academic contexts.
A lack of vitamins is the problem.
Noun for shortage or insufficiency. Often used for tangible things like money or sleep.
Casual noun meaning 'without' or 'none'. Often used in set phrases like 問題なし (no problem).
To describe a state of being distracted or not paying attention.
Verb meaning to be absent-minded, spaced out, or daydreaming.
He was absent-minded and didn't listen to the conversation.
Noun for a state of being stunned or in a daze, often after a shock.
In everyday conversation, Japanese rarely uses nouns like 不在 or 欠如. Instead, use simple phrases like いない (not here) or ～がない (there is no ~).
He's not here. (Not: 彼の不在がある)
欠席 is used when someone is expected but doesn't show up (meetings, classes). 不在 simply means 'not present' and is more neutral, often used in formal announcements.
会議を欠席しました。
I was absent from the meeting.
Tanaka isn't here.
He is not at home.
今日は学校を休みます。
I will be absent from school today.
睡眠不足で疲れた。
I'm tired from lack of sleep.
There was an absence of reply.
彼女は放心状態だった。
She was in a state of absence (daze).