غياب
ghiyab
The English phrase 'absence' is translated to Arabic as غياب (ghiyab).
غياب is a noun used to describe the failure to be present where one is expected to be.
Meaning: failure to be present where one is expected (noun)
Which one should you use?
عدم الحضور is a formal way to express absence, and مش موجود is an informal way to say absence, meaning 'not present'.
How do you pronounce it?
ghiyab
Did you know?
- In Arabic, the concept of 'absence' is closely tied to the word غيب, which refers to the 'unseen' or the divine mysteries known only to God.
- In many Arabic dialects, if someone is 'absent' from a conversation or a gathering, you might say they are غايب (ghayib), which can also imply that they are 'unconscious' or 'fainted'.
- While غياب means 'absence', the same root produces the word غائب, which in some contexts can be a polite euphemism for someone who has passed away.
Examples in context
- ماتت أمي في غيابي.My mother died during my absence.This sentence is useful for illustrating the use of غياب in a personal context.Tatoeba #377008 by saeb, translation #252058 by CK
- أعتذر عن غيابيI apologize for my absence
- يرجى إبلاغنا بعدم الحضورPlease inform us of your absence
- وينك؟ مش موجود!Where are you? You're not here!
- عذرًا عن انقطاعي الأخيرExcuse me for my recent absence
- كان غيابه عن الاجتماع مفاجئاً.kana ghiyabu-hu 'an al-ijtima' mufaji'an.His absence from the meeting was sudden.
Example conversation
Sara asks Yusuf about a missing student at school.
- سارة Saraلماذا غياب زميلنا اليوم؟Limādhā ghiyābu zamīlinā al-yawm?Why is our colleague absent today?
- يوسف Youssefأعتقد أنه مريض يا سارة.A‘taqidu annahu marīḍun yā Sārah.I think he is sick, Sara.
- سارة Saraهل أبلغنا عن غيابه؟Hal ablaghanā ‘an ghiyābihi?Did he notify us of his absence?
- يوسف Youssefنعم، أرسل رسالة للمدير.Na‘am, arsala risālatan lil-mudīr.Yes, he sent a message to the manager.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
