Translation guide
How to express 'be out of' in Japanese, covering lack of items, being away from a place, and other uses.
To say you have no more of something, or that something is used up.
Used when a supply runs out or is exhausted. The thing that is out of stock is the subject.
We're out of gas.
時間が切れた。
Time is up. (We're out of time.)
Literally 'N disappears', used when something runs out or is used up. More general than 切れる.
I'm out of money.
We're out of coffee.
Means 'to be out of stock of N' (temporarily). Often used in shops or when you've run out of something at home.
Sorry, we're out of that item.
We're out of milk.
Specifically means 'out of stock' in a commercial context. Formal.
That book is out of print/stock.
To say someone is not in a particular location, such as home or the office.
Means 'to be away from N' (home, office, etc.). Implies temporary absence.
He is out of the house right now.
The boss is out of the office.
Simple way to say 'is not at N'. Very common in casual speech.
Mr. Tanaka is out of his seat right now.
Literally 'has left N', implying being out of a place. Often used for leaving home or office.
He's already out of the house.
To express that something is beyond a physical or abstract boundary.
Means 'out of the range/scope of N'. Formal and precise.
That question is out of my area of responsibility.
Literally 'outside of N'. Can be used for physical or metaphorical outsideness.
The ball is out of the court.
To say something is not fashionable anymore.
To say a machine or system is not functioning.
Do not directly translate 'be out of' as 「〜の外にいる」 unless you mean physical location outside something. For running out of supplies, use 切れる or なくなる.
母は今、家にいない。
My mom is out of the house now.
Means 'outdated' or 'old-fashioned', stronger than 流行遅れ.
That way of thinking is out of date.