Abwesenheit
The German word for absence is Abwesenheit.
Abwesenheit is a noun used to describe the failure to be present where one is expected.
Meaning: failure to be present where one is expected (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
Abwesenheit is a feminine noun. In the genitive case, such as when saying 'during the absence', the article changes to der Abwesenheit. The plural form of the noun is Abwesenheiten.
Did you know?
- While English uses 'absence' to describe a person being away, German can also use the verb fehlen to express that an absence is felt. If someone's absence is missed, a German speaker would say they 'fehlen' rather than just 'be absent'.
- While Abwesenheit is the noun, Germans often use the phrase nicht da sein (to not be there) in daily conversation. Using the formal noun in a casual setting can sound overly bureaucratic.
- The prefix ab- in Abwesenheit suggests a movement away from a center. It mirrors the English 'absent', which also comes from the Latin 'ab' meaning 'away'.
Examples in context
- Niemand bemerkte ihre Abwesenheit.Nobody noticed her absence.This sentence demonstrates how to use Abwesenheit to say that nobody noticed a woman's absence.Tatoeba #449734 by Espi, translation #276670 by CK
- Niemand bemerkte Toms Abwesenheit.No one noticed Tom's absence.This sentence shows how to use Abwesenheit to say that nobody noticed Tom's absence.Tatoeba #8836015 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #8426880 by Hybrid
- Ich bemerkte bald seine Abwesenheit.I soon noticed his absence.This sentence shows how to use Abwesenheit to say that his absence was noticed soon.Tatoeba #10024826 by Melang, translation #260047 by CM
- Mit Bedauern teile ich Ihnen meine Abwesenheit am kommenden Montag mit.With regret, I inform you of my absence next Monday.
- Entschuldige, dass ich gestern abwesend war. Mir ging es nicht gut.Sorry for being absent yesterday. I wasn't feeling well.
- Er kann nicht kommen, er ist heute einfach nicht da.He can't come, he's just not here today.
- Ich war gestern nicht anwesend, weil ich einen wichtigen Termin hatte.I was not present yesterday because I had an important appointment.
- Entschuldigen Sie bitte meine Abwesenheit. Ich hatte einen familiären Notfall.Please excuse my absence. I had a family emergency.
- Morgen werde ich aufgrund von Krankheit fehlen.Tomorrow, I'll be absent due to illness.
- Warum warst du gestern nicht da?Why weren't you there yesterday?
- Ich kann nicht zur Party kommen, deshalb werde ich nicht anwesend sein.I can't come to the party, so I won't be present.
- 45 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Laura is asking Lukas about a missing colleague at work.
- LauraWarum ist Herr Schmidt heute nicht im Büro?Why is Mr. Schmidt not in the office today?
- LukasSeine Abwesenheit ist leider nicht entschuldigt.His absence is unfortunately not excused.
- LauraDas ist wirklich sehr seltsam.That is really very strange.
- LukasIch werde den Chef über seine Abwesenheit informieren.I will inform the boss about his absence.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry Abwesenheit, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
