Translation guide
Describes someone who is not present where they are expected to be, such as at school, work, or an event. Japanese expressions vary based on context, formality, and whether the absence is temporary or habitual.
To refer to someone who is not at school, work, or a similar regular commitment.
Standard, neutral term for an absentee, especially in formal contexts like school or meetings. Literally 'absence person'.
There are three absentees from today's meeting.
Casual, everyday way to say 'person who is off/absent'. Suitable for informal conversations.
There are a lot of absentees today, huh.
More general term for someone not present, often used in official or written contexts. Can imply temporary absence from a place.
Please tell me the procedure for absentee voting.
Specifically refers to someone absent from work. Used in business or HR contexts.
Please make a list of this month's absentees.
To describe someone who frequently or habitually misses school, work, or other obligations.
Refers to a child who habitually does not attend school. A sensitive term often used in educational and social welfare contexts.
Support for habitual absentees is important.
Formal term for a habitual absentee, used in official reports or disciplinary contexts.
Plain, descriptive phrase for a child who doesn't go to school. Less clinical than 不登校児.
To use 'absentee' as an adjective-like modifier, e.g., absentee landlord, absentee ballot.
Pattern meaning 'absent [noun]'. Used for absentee landlord, absentee owner, etc.
Absentee landlords are becoming a problem.
Used in compounds like 欠席届 (absence notice) or 欠席者 (absentee person).
Please submit an absentee notice.
The English word 'absentee' is often used as a modifier (e.g., absentee ballot). In Japanese, you usually need to use a phrase like 不在の〜 or a compound noun. Directly translating 'absentee' as a standalone noun may sound unnatural.
欠席者 is specifically for people absent from an event, class, or meeting. 不在者 is broader and can refer to anyone not present at a location, including for voting or official purposes.
He received a warning as a habitual absentee.
The number of children who don't go to school is increasing.
Fixed phrase for 'absentee voting/ballot'.
I plan to use an absentee ballot.