How to Say ‘To take a day off / to be absent’ in Japanese
休みます
yasumi masu
[yah-soo-mee mahs]
💬 Usage Tip: [休みます] is neutral (“take time off”). For school/office politeness, [お休みします] is softer.
🇯🇵 In Japan: Absences are usually reported early in the morning. Some schools prefer phone; others use an app or contact notebook.
Phrase Breakdown
休み
yasumi
[yah-soo-mee]
rest; be absent (stem)
From 休む (“to rest; to be absent”). Used for taking a day off from school/work.
きょうは学校を休みます。
I will miss school today.
ます
masu
[mahs]
polite verb ending (-masu)
Makes the verb polite: 休みます (“will be absent / will take off”). Appropriate for calls to school.
きょうは休みます。
I will be absent today.
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