Definition

Noun: - Absence: The state of not being present at a place where one is expected or required to be.

Usage

The word "khiếm diện" is a formal, literary, and somewhat archaic term in modern Vietnamese. It is primarily used in official, legal, or very formal written contexts to denote absence. It is not commonly used in everyday spoken language.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Sự khiếm diện của ông ấy trong cuộc họp đã được ghi vào biên bản. (His absence from the meeting was recorded in the minutes.)
  • Lý do khiếm diện phải được trình bày bằng văn bản. (The reason for absence must be submitted in writing.)

Advanced Usage

• "bị xem là khiếm diện": to be considered absent.
  • Nếu không có đơn xin phép, anh ta sẽ bị xem là khiếm diện không có lý do. (Without a leave request, he will be considered absent without reason.)

Variants and Related Words

• Vắng mặt (verb phrase): To be absent. This is the standard, neutral term used in both spoken and written Vietnamese.
  • Cô ấy vắng mặt trong buổi họp hôm nay. (She was absent from today's meeting.)
• Sự vắng mặt (noun): Absence.
  • Sự vắng mặt của cô ấy rất đáng chú ý. (Her absence was very noticeable.)
• Nghỉ (verb): To take a day off, to be off (less formal, often for planned leave).
  • Hôm nay tôi nghỉ làm. (I am off work today.)

Synonyms

• Vắng mặt: absent (the most common and direct synonym).
• Thiếu mặt: absent (literary, also formal and less common).

Related Phrases

• Khiếm diện không phép: Absent without leave (AWOL); unauthorized absence.
  • Binh lính nào khiếm diện không phép sẽ bị kỷ luật. (Any soldier who is absent without leave will be disciplined.)

Notes on Meaning

"Khiếm diện" strictly refers to the state or fact of being absent. It does not imply a lack or deficiency in quality (which is the meaning of "khiếm" in other compounds like "khiếm thính" - hearing-impaired). Its usage is almost exclusively tied to physical presence at an event, meeting, or duty.

noun

1. absent