Translation guide
How to express 'be out of' in Japanese, covering lack of items, being away from a place, and other uses.
Literally 'N disappears', used when something runs out or is used up. More general than 切れる.
お金がなくなった。
I'm out of money.
コーヒーがなくなった。
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.
すみません、その商品は切らしています。
Sorry, we're out of that item.
牛乳を切らしている。
We're out of milk.
Specifically means 'out of stock' in a commercial context. Formal.
その本は品切れです。
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.
彼は今、家を留守にしています。
He is out of the house right now.
社長は事務所を留守にしている。
The boss is out of the office.
Simple way to say 'is not at N'. Very common in casual speech.
田中さんは今、席にいません。
Mr. Tanaka is out of his seat right now.
母は今、家にいない。
My mom is out of the house now.
Literally 'has left N', implying being out of a place. Often used for leaving home or office.
彼はもう家を出ています。
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.
その質問は私の担当範囲外です。
That question is out of my area of responsibility.
Literally 'outside of N'. Can be used for physical or metaphorical outsideness.
ボールはコートの外だ。
The ball is out of the court.
To say something is not fashionable anymore.
Noun/adjective meaning 'out of fashion' or 'behind the times'.
その服はもう流行遅れだ。
Those clothes are out of fashion.
To say a machine or system is not functioning.
Means 'out of order' for machines, often seen on signs.
このエレベーターは故障中です。
This elevator is out of order.
General term for 'broken' or 'out of order'.
テレビが壊れている。
The TV is out of order.
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.
Means 'outdated' or 'old-fashioned', stronger than 流行遅れ.
その考え方は時代遅れだ。
That way of thinking is out of date.