What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of the characters 欠 (meaning lack or absence) and 勤 (meaning work or duty).
Which one should you use?
While 欠勤 is used specifically for an absence from a job, the term 欠席 should be used instead when referring to being absent from a school class or a meeting.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
欠勤 is a formal, administrative term typically used in business contexts and official records. For more specific or less formal situations, other phrases are used: 休暇を取る is used when requesting or informing a supervisor about taking a scheduled vacation or planned time off, while 病欠 is the formal term used when one is unable to attend work specifically due to illness. In informal settings, such as when informing peers about receiving permission for a day off, you might use 休みをもらう.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun 欠勤 can be turned into a verb meaning "to be absent from work" by adding the verb する to it, resulting in 欠勤する. Additionally, you can add the suffix 中 to create 欠勤中, which means being currently absent from work or in the middle of an absence.
How do you pronounce it?
kekkin
Did you know?
- In Japanese corporate culture, calling in absent due to illness often involves a carefully phrased apology for causing 'meiwaku' or trouble for the remaining team members.
- The character 欠 used in 欠勤 is actually a replacement for the more complex character 缺, a common practice in Japanese shorthand known as daiyōji.
- While 欠勤 is an administrative fact, Japanese employees often use the vague term 都合により meaning 'due to circumstances' to avoid explaining the specific reason for their absence.
Examples in context
- 彼は体調不良で欠勤しました。Kare wa taichou furyou de kekkin shimashita.He was absent from work due to poor health.
- 急な欠勤は困ります。Kyuuna kekkin wa komarimasu.Sudden absences from work are a problem.
- 昨日、彼は欠勤でした。Kinou, kare wa kekkin deshita.He was absent from work yesterday.
Example conversation
Two colleagues are talking in the office about a coworker.
- 美咲 Misaki佐藤さんは今日、欠勤ですか？Satou-san wa kyou, kekkin desu ka?Is Mr. Sato absent from work today?
- 大翔 Hirotoはい、風邪で欠勤だそうです。Hai, kaze de kekkin da sou desu.Yes, I heard he is absent from work because of a cold.
- 美咲 Misakiそれは大変ですね。Sore wa taihen desu ne.That is too bad.
- 大翔 Hiroto早く良くなるといいですね。Hayaku yokunaru to ii desu ne.I hope he feels better soon.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 欠勤, CC BY-SA 4.0.
