1.
to leave one's seat; to step away temporarily
Used when someone temporarily leaves their desk, seat, or position, typically in a workplace or meeting setting. Implies the absence is brief and the person will return.
田中は今席を外しております。
Tanaka is away from his desk at the moment.
ちょっと席を外してもいいですか。
May I step away for a moment?
会議の途中で急な電話が入り、席を外さなければならなかった。
An urgent call came in during the meeting, and I had to step away.
A standard business and workplace expression. When answering phones on behalf of a colleague, the polite form 席を外しております is one of the most common phrases used in Japanese offices. The expression implies a temporary absence — the person has not left for the day.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 席を外しております: is away from their desk (humble/polite, for phone calls)
- ちょっと席を外す: to step away briefly
- 少々席を外します: I'll step away for a moment (polite)
USAGE:
- Primarily used in office and meeting contexts
- On the phone: used to explain a colleague's temporary absence without giving details
- In meetings: used to excuse oneself briefly
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 中座する: to leave in the middle (of a meeting or gathering) — more formal, often implies leaving a social event
- 離席する: to leave one's seat — a more formal, written alternative