Translation guide
How to express skipping or being absent from a class without permission in Japanese.
To intentionally not attend a class, usually without a valid reason.
The most common and natural way to say 'skip class'. サボる comes from 'sabotage' and is used casually.
今日は授業をサボって映画を見に行った。
I skipped class today and went to see a movie.
The verb itself means 'to skip' (work, class, etc.). Often used with 授業 (class) or 学校 (school).
またサボったの？
Did you skip again?
Means 'skip school' more generally. Can imply skipping the whole day, not just one class.
彼はよく学校をサボる。
He often skips school.
A more slangy, English-derived way to say 'escape class'. Less common than サボる.
つまらないから授業をエスケープした。
I escaped class because it was boring.
The state or act of being absent from school without a valid excuse, often used in formal or disciplinary contexts.
Formal term for 'absence without notice/permission'. Used in school rules or reports.
無断欠席が続くと退学になることもある。
Repeated unexcused absences can lead to expulsion.
Casual term for playing hooky; implies a dishonest or lazy absence. Often used by children or in light conversation.
Literary or formal term for 'truancy' or 'neglecting one's studies'. Rare in everyday speech.
怠学の傾向が見られる。
A tendency toward truancy is observed.
サボる is casual and implies intentionally skipping, often for fun. 無断欠席 is formal and used in official contexts like school records. Use サボる with friends, 無断欠席 when talking to teachers or in writing.
友達と遊ぶために授業をサボった。
I skipped class to hang out with friends.
無断欠席は校則違反です。
Unexcused absence is against school rules.
サボる is slang and can sound disrespectful if used with teachers or in official contexts. Stick to 欠席する (to be absent) or 無断欠席 for formal settings.
今日はずる休みしちゃった。
I played hooky today.