不在中
fuzaichū
The English phrase "out of office" is translated into Japanese as 不在中 (fuzaichū).
不在中 is used to indicate that someone is not currently at their workplace. It is a formal expression frequently used in written communications, such as automated email replies.
Which one should you use?
While 不在中 indicates a general absence, 外出中 is more specific to being out of the office for a temporary errand or meeting during work hours. If you want to specify that someone is on vacation or on leave, use 休暇中.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
不在中 is a formal expression. For more specific formal contexts, you might use 外出中 to mean 'away from the office' or 休暇中 for 'on leave'. In informal situations, such as speaking with friends, you can use 外出してるよ or 出かけてるんだ to mean one is out of the office.
How do you pronounce it?
fuzaichū
Did you know?
- The phrase 不在中 uses the character 在, which means 'to exist' or 'to be present'. Consequently, the phrase can be interpreted as being in a state of 'non-existence' at a particular location.
- Colleagues often use the phrase 席を外しております (seki o hazushite orimasu), which literally means 'is stepping away from their seat', as a polite way to say someone is out of the office.
- The word 不在 (fuzai) is used in Japanese legal contexts to describe a 'vacant' property or a person who is officially missing or not residing at an address.
Examples in context
- ご連絡ありがとうございます。現在、外出中のため、返信が遅れております。Thank you for your message. I am currently out of the office, so my response may be delayed.
- 大変申し訳ありませんが、現在不在中でございますので、後日ご連絡させていただきます。We apologize for the inconvenience, but we are currently out of the office. We will contact you at a later date.
- 誠に勝手ながら、現在休暇中でございますので、返信にはお時間をいただいております。We apologize for the inconvenience, but I am currently on vacation, so I may take some time to respond.
- ごめん、今外出してるよ。後で連絡するね。Sorry, I'm currently out of the office. I'll contact you later.
- 今、出かけてるんだ。メールは帰ったら返すよ。I'm out of the office right now. I'll reply to your email when I get back.
- 田中さんはただいま不在中です。Tanaka-san wa tadaima fuzai-chu desu.Mr. Tanaka is out of the office right now.
- 課長は外出のため不在中です。Kacho wa gaishutsu no tame fuzai-chu desu.The manager is out of the office due to being out on business.
- 彼女は休暇のため不在中です。Kanojo wa kyuka no tame fuzai-chu desu.She is out of the office for vacation.
Example conversation
At a company office, Kenta is asking Yui about a colleague.
- 健太 Kenta佐藤さんは今いますか？Sato-san wa ima imasu ka?Is Mr. Sato in right now?
- 結衣 Yuiすみません、佐藤さんは不在中です。Sumimasen, Sato-san wa fuzai-chu desu.I am sorry, Mr. Sato is out of the office.
- 健太 Kentaいつ戻りますか？Itsu modorimasu ka?When will he be back?
- 結衣 Yui午後には戻る予定です。Gogo ni wa modoru yotei desu.He is scheduled to return in the afternoon.
