席(せき)を外(はず)す

せきをはずす
expression
to leave one's seat; to step away
businessdaily-life
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(たなか)は今(いま)席(せき)を外(はず)しております。
Tanaka is away from his desk at the moment.
ちょっと席(せき)を外(はず)してもいいですか。
May I step away for a moment?
会議(かいぎ)の途中(とちゅう)で急(きゅう)な電話(でんわ)が入(はい)り、席(せき)を外(はず)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(せき)を外(はず)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(せき)を外(はず)しております: is away from their desk (humble/polite, for phone calls)
  • ちょっと席(せき)を外(はず)す: to step away briefly
  • 少々(しょうしょう)席(せき)を外(はず)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

Related Words

Compare: 中座(ちゅうざ)する (to leave in the middle)
Compare: 離席(りせき)する (to leave one's seat)
Compare: 離席(りせき) (leaving one's seat)
general
Added 2026.4.28 0:06 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
25500/25832_sekiwohazusu