Meanings of 缺席
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 缺席
Podcast: 缺席
Podcast: 缺席
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 缺席
缺席 (absent) vs 不在 (not present) — use 缺席 for formal contexts, while 不在 is more casual.
Imagine a classroom where a student is sitting at their desk, but suddenly they vanish, leaving an empty chair. The character 缺 (que) suggests a 'lack' or 'missing', and 席 (xi) means 'seat'. Together, they visualize a missing seat in the room, emphasizing absence.
Be cautious with the tone, as 缺席 (que1 xi2) must be pronounced correctly to avoid confusion with other phrases. It is often used in formal contexts, so avoid using it in casual conversations. Common collocations include '缺席会议' (absence from a meeting) or '缺席考试' (absence from an exam).
As an HSK Level 6 word, 缺席 connects well with other formal vocabulary related to education and professional settings. Students should focus on its usage in sentences about attendance and punctuality, which are critical themes at this level.
In Chinese culture, attendance is often associated with respect and responsibility. Being absent from important events, such as family gatherings or business meetings, may be viewed as a lack of commitment or respect.
Learners often confuse 缺席 with 不在 (bu4 zai4), which means 'not being there' but lacks the formal nuance of absence. For example, saying '我今天不在学校' (I am not at school today) is informal, while '我今天缺席学校' (I am absent from school today) is correct and more formal.
Pronunciation of 缺席
Drill the tone of 缺席 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Component Characters
Write 缺席
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 缺席 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 缺席
缺席 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Complete the Sentence
关于他____的原因有很多传言。
There has been much gossip about the possible reasons for his absence.
Example Sentences for 缺席 (4)
Cultural Notes for 缺席
In Chinese culture, attendance is often associated with respect and responsibility. Being absent from important events, such as family gatherings or business meetings, may be viewed as a lack of commitment or respect.
Frequently Asked Questions about 缺席
You can say, '他因为生病而缺席了会议' (He was absent from the meeting due to illness).