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.
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.
彼は本日不在です。
He is absent today.
Noun for absence from a meeting, class, or event. Often used with する to mean 'to be absent'.
会議を欠席しました。
I was absent from the meeting.
Casual way to say someone is not here. Use いません for polite.
田中さんはいないよ。
Tanaka isn't here.
Noun meaning 'not at home'. Often used in 留守にする (to be away from home) or 留守番 (house-sitting).
彼は留守にしています。
He is not at home.
Noun for absence from work or school, often meaning 'day off' or 'rest'. Use 休む for the verb.
今日は学校を休みます。
I will be absent from school today.
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.
証拠がない。
There is an absence of evidence.
Formal noun for lack or deficiency, often used in technical or academic contexts.
ビタミンの欠如が問題だ。
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).
返事はなしだった。
There was an absence of reply.
To describe a state of being distracted or not paying attention.
Verb meaning to be absent-minded, spaced out, or daydreaming.
彼はぼんやりしていて、話を聞いていなかった。
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.
彼女は放心状態だった。
She was in a state of absence (daze).
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 ~).
彼はいない。
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.
I'm tired from lack of sleep.