🙋‍♂️🚶‍♂️🪑❌⏰

How to Say ‘Tanaka is away from his desk now.’ in Japanese

田中は今、席を外しております。

tanaka wa ima seki o hazushi te ori masu

[tah-NAH-kah wah ima seh-kee oh hah-ZOO-shee teh OH-ree mahs]

🇯🇵 In Japan: The receptionist says plain 田中, with no さん or 様. When speaking to outsiders, you never add titles to people from your own company, even your boss.

Phrase Breakdown

田中は今、

tanaka wa ima

Tanaka, right now,

In business, you refer to your own colleague without さん. は marks the topic and is pronounced 'wa.' 今 (ima) means 'now.' Pause at the comma.

Example

田中は今、会議中です。

Tanaka is in a meeting right now.

Words in this phrase

田中

tanaka

[tah-NAH-kah]

Tanaka (surname)

A very common Japanese family name.

Example

田中さんは会社員です。

Mr. Tanaka is an office worker.

は

[wah]

topic marker

は marks the topic of the sentence.

Example

空席はありますか。

Are there any seats available?

今

ima

[ima]

now

At the present moment.

Example

今、始まります。

Now, it begins.

席を外しております。

seki o hazushi te ori masu

is away from the desk

This is a humble, polite way to say someone has stepped away. The 'u' in hazushite is very light.

Example

部長は席を外しております。

The manager is away from the desk.

Words in this phrase

席

seki

[seh-kee]

seat

A seat or seating section at a venue.

Example

前の方の席はありますか。

Are there seats toward the front?

を

[oh]

object marker

The particle を marks the direct object of a verb.

Example

チケットを二枚ください。

Two tickets, please.

外し

hazushi

[hah-ZOO-shee]

remove

Stem of 外す, to remove or take away.

Example

眼鏡を外します。

I take off my glasses.

て

[teh]

and; -te form

A linking form used to connect verbs to following grammar, such as progressive or polite forms.

Example

仕事を探している人と話しました。

I spoke with a person who is looking for work.

おり

ori

[OH-ree]

to be (humble); doing (humble form)

Stem of the humble verb oru, used in place of iru to show respect to the listener, common in service language.

Example

ご来店をお待ちしております。

We look forward to your visit.

ます

masu

[mahs]

polite verb ending

A standard polite ending added to verbs, often used in customer service and formal speech.

Example

予約を確認します。

I will confirm the reservation.

Get the Full Learning Experience

This lesson is just a preview. Download PrettyFluent to practice pronunciation, roleplay conversations, and master vocabulary with spaced repetition.

Pronunciation Feedback

AI-powered feedback on what you say out loud

Spaced Repetition

Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice

Immersive Roleplaying

Practice real conversations with AI partners

Lessons for Your Situation

Request lessons tailored to your specific needs

Get Full Lesson

What Learners Are Saying

“Teaching in Osaka and I wanted to connect with my students beyond the classroom. The everyday conversation made my Japanese feel natural, not textbook-y.”

Mia S., 25, English Teacher

“I hop cities every few months and this is the only app that actually prepares me for living somewhere, not just visiting. Tokyo was the real test — passed with flying colors.”

James O., 28, Remote Worker

“I tried five different apps before this one. The roleplay conversations are what finally made things click. I actually remember what I learn now.”

Sofia R., 31, Marketing Manager