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How to Say ‘To be away from one's desk’ in Japanese

席を外す

seki o hazusu

[seh-kee oh hah-ZOO-soo]

🇯🇵 In Japan: This is the standard tactful phrase for "not available right now". It covers meetings, breaks, anything, without giving the caller details.

Phrase Breakdown

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

o

[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.

外す

hazusu

[hah-ZOO-soo]

to remove; to leave (one's seat)

Verb meaning to take off or remove; with 席を it means to step away from one's desk.

Example

少し席を外します。

I'll step away for a moment.

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