assenza
/asˈsɛn.t͡sa/
The English word 'absence' is translated into Italian as assenza.
assenza is a noun used to describe the failure to be present where one is expected. To indicate the absence of a specific person or thing, you often use the preposition di after the word.
Meaning: failure to be present where one is expected (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun assenza is feminine. If you wish to use the adjective form to describe someone as 'absent', use the word assente.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables, with the stress on the second syllable: /asˈsɛn.tsa/.
Did you know?
- While assenza refers to the state of being away, the phrase essere assente can occasionally be used colloquially to describe someone who is daydreaming or 'not all there'.
- In a literary or poetic sense, an 'absence' of something can be expressed as mancanza, which carries a stronger emotional weight of 'longing' or 'loss' than the neutral assenza.
- The word assente is used in Italian legal proceedings to describe a defendant who is not present in court, which often triggers a different set of trial rules.
Examples in context
- Come spiega la sua assenza?How do you account for your absence?This sentence is useful for asking how to explain an assenza.Tatoeba #7348104 by Guybrush88, translation #16180 by CM
- Nessuno notò la sua assenza.Nobody noticed her absence.This sentence is useful for describing whether an assenza was noticed.Tatoeba #375390 by Pharamp, translation #276670 by CK
- Il buio è l'assenza di luce.Darkness is the absence of light.This sentence is useful for defining darkness as the assenza of light.Tatoeba #375694 by Pharamp, translation #28394 by CK
- Mi dispiace per l'assenza del signor Rossi alla riunione di oggi.I am sorry for Mr. Rossi's absence at today's meeting.
- Ho notato l'assenza del tuo nome nella lista dei partecipanti.I noticed the absence of your name on the participant list.
- La mancanza di una spiegazione convincente ha lasciato molti interrogativi.The absence of a convincing explanation has left many questions.
- Il suo comportamento dimostra una mancanza di rispetto per gli altri.His behavior shows a lack of respect for others.
- Non c'è Marco oggi, è malato.Marco is not here today, he is sick.
- Luca non è qui, è andato al supermercato.Luca is not here, he went to the supermarket.
- 50 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Giulia and Alessandro are discussing a colleague's empty desk at work.
- GiuliaLa sua assenza è molto evidente oggi.His absence is very noticeable today.
- AlessandroSì, l'ufficio sembra vuoto senza di lui.Yes, the office feels empty without him.
- GiuliaHai ricevuto una giustificazione per la sua assenza?Did you receive a justification for his absence?
- AlessandroNo, non ha ancora inviato alcun avviso.No, he hasn't sent any notice yet.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry assenza, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
