How to Say ‘My daughter Emi will be absent today.’ in Japanese
きょう、娘のエミはお休みします。
kyou musume no emi wa o yasumi shi masu
[kyoh moo-soo-meh noh eh-mee wah oh yah-soo-mee shee mahss]
💬 Usage Tip: Clear template: [きょう] + person + [は] + [お休みします]. Add a reason after if needed: [家族の用事で].
🇯🇵 In Japan: Schools may ask the reason. If it’s a planned family day, phrasing like [家庭の都合で] (“family circumstances”) is commonly used.
Phrase Breakdown
きょう
kyou
[kyoh]
today
A common, casual word for “today.” In school absence calls, it sets the date clearly at the start.
きょう、娘のエミはお休みします。
Today, my daughter Emi will be absent.
娘
musume
[moo-soo-meh]
(my) daughter
Noun meaning “daughter.” Often used by parents when speaking to teachers or the school.
きょう、娘のエミはお休みします。
Today, my daughter Emi will be absent.
の
no
[noh]
of; ’s
Particle showing possession/connection (AのB = “B of A / A’s B”), like “my daughter.”
きょう、娘のエミはお休みします。
Today, my daughter Emi will be absent.
エミ
emi
[eh-mee]
Emi
A name written in katakana (often used for names). In a call, it identifies the child clearly.
きょう、娘のエミはお休みします。
Today, my daughter Emi will be absent.
は
wa
[wah]
(topic marker)
Particle marking the topic (“as for Emi…”). Pronounced “wa” though written は.
きょう、娘のエミはお休みします。
Today, my daughter Emi will be absent.
お休みします
o yasumi shi masu
will be absent / will take the day off (polite)
Polite expression used to say someone will not attend (school/work). 「お〜」 adds politeness.
明日は学校をお休みします。
Tomorrow, (I/my child) will be absent from school.
Words in this phrase
お
o
[oh]
honorific prefix
Polite prefix added to some nouns (like 休み) to sound respectful/soft. Often used in school/medical contexts.
きょう、娘のエミはお休みします。
Today, my daughter Emi will be absent.
休み
yasumi
[yah-soo-mee]
absence; day off; rest
Noun meaning “a break/day off.” With お (お休み) it becomes a polite way to say someone is absent.
きょう、娘のエミはお休みします。
Today, my daughter Emi will be absent.
し
shi
[shee]
do (stem of する)
The verb stem used to form polite speech with ます. Here it makes “(will) take a day off/ be absent.”
きょう、娘のエミはお休みします。
Today, my daughter Emi will be absent.
ます
masu
[mahss]
(polite verb ending)
Polite present/future ending. In calls to school, 〜ます is standard and respectful.
きょう、娘のエミはお休みします。
Today, my daughter Emi will be absent.
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