How do you say "Will be absent (from school)" in Japanese?

"Will be absent (from school)" in Japanese is "お休みします". This phrase is commonly used in Japan.

What does "お休みします" mean in English?

"お休みします" means "Will be absent (from school)" in English. Usage tip: The [お] makes it more polite. In parent-to-school talk, [お休みします] is a very standard phrasing.

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How to Say ‘Will be absent (from school)’ in Japanese

お休みします

o yasumi shi masu

[oh yah-soo-mee shee mahs]

💬 Usage Tip: The [お] makes it more polite. In parent-to-school talk, [お休みします] is a very standard phrasing.

🇯🇵 In Japan: Even for a “family day off,” parents often still use the same polite absence wording to keep it neutral and respectful.

Phrase Breakdown

お

[oh]

honorific prefix (polite)

Adds politeness to the noun/verb phrase. お休みします is a more polite way to say “(I/they) will be absent.”

Example

きょうは学校をお休みします。

We will take today off from school.

休み

yasumi

[yah-soo-mee]

rest; absence (polite noun form)

With お, it becomes お休み, used politely for absence/rest. Common in school absence calls.

Example

娘はきょうお休みします。

My daughter will be absent today.

し

shi

[shee]

do (verb stem)

Stem of する. In お休みします it means “to take (a rest/day off).”

Example

きょうはお休みします。

I will be absent today.

ます

masu

[mahs]

polite verb ending (-masu)

Makes the expression polite and appropriate for formal phone calls.

Example

きょうはお休みします。

I will be absent today.

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