1.
business; errand; personal matter to attend to
Something one needs to do or take care of. A polite, somewhat vague way of referring to personal business or errands without specifying details.
所用で出かけます。
I'm going out on business.
所用のため、会議に出席できません。
I cannot attend the meeting due to a personal matter.
午後から所用があるので、午前中に仕事を片付けたい。
I have errands in the afternoon, so I want to finish my work in the morning.
A polite, somewhat formal word used to refer to business or errands without going into specifics. Convenient for declining invitations or explaining absences without revealing personal details.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 所用で出かける: to go out on business
- 所用のため: due to personal business
- 所用があって: because I have something to do
- 所用を済ませる: to take care of one's business
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 用事: errand, something to do — more casual and everyday
- 用件: matter of business — more formal, often used in business contexts
- 私用: personal business — specifically emphasizes it is private, not work-related
USAGE:
所用 is vaguer and more polite than 用事. It is often used in formal or business settings when one does not wish to explain the specific reason for an absence.