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留守中
rusuchū
What does "留守中" mean in English?
while away / out留守中に誰か来ましたか？
Did anyone come while I was away?
How to use "留守中" correctly: definitions and examples in English?
neutral
The state of being away from home or one's usual place, typically implying unavailability for visitors or tasks.
留守中に宅配便が来ました。
A delivery came while I was out.
留守中に泥棒が入った。
A burglar broke in while we were away.
留守中はメールの返信ができません。
I can't reply to emails while I'm away.
Commonly used in daily conversation to indicate absence from a location, not just home.
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Common Mistake: Using '留守' alone as 'away'
Avoid saying '彼は留守です' to mean 'He is away.' This is grammatically incorrect. Instead, use '彼は留守中です' or '彼は留守です' only in set phrases like '留守にする' (to be away from home).
Gold Rule
When to use 留守中 vs 不在中
留守中 emphasizes physical absence from a specific location (e.g., home, office). 不在中 is more formal and can imply absence from a broader context (e.g., a meeting, country). For daily conversation about being away from home, 留守中 is preferred.
Word Origin
Combines 留守 (rusu, 'absence from home') and 中 (chū, 'during/while'), forming a compound noun indicating the state of being away. 留守 itself derives from Classical Japanese 留守 (るす), meaning 'to remain absent' or 'to be away from one's duties'.
Usage Notes
Used in both formal and informal contexts. Often appears in notices (e.g., '留守中につき、荷物は玄関に置いてください' = 'While away, please leave packages at the entrance'). Not limited to home—can refer to any location (e.g., office, shop).
Word Breakdown
留守
absence from home
noun中
during/while
suffix和英辞典