How to Say ‘Want to let (someone) be absent’ in Japanese
休ませたい
yasuma se tai
[yah-soo-mah seh tie]
💬 Usage Tip: [〜たい] expresses desire: [休ませたい] = “want to let (them) rest.” For a firm decision, [休ませます] can sound clearer.
🇯🇵 In Japan: Schools may prefer decisive language for attendance records. If it’s confirmed, [休ませます] is often smoother than [休ませたいです].
Phrase Breakdown
休ま
yasuma
[yah-soo-mah]
to have/let (someone) be absent (want to) (base part)
The base part of 「休ませたい」. Used when you want to keep your child home.
明日、子どもを休ませたいです。
Tomorrow, I’d like my child to be absent.
せ
se
[seh]
(part of causative) make/let (someone) do
Here it combines with 「休ま」 to make 「休ませ…」 before adding 「たい」.
明日、子どもを休ませたいです。
Tomorrow, I’d like my child to be absent.
たい
tai
[tie]
want to; would like to
Expresses desire. With 「休ませたい」 it means “I want to let (my child) rest / keep (my child) home.” Polite: 「休ませたいです」.
明日、さくらを休ませたいです。
Tomorrow, I’d like Sakura to take the day off.
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