出席

• Reading: しゅっせき
• Romaji: shusseki
• Kanji breakdown: 出 (shutsu) — go out, appear, exit; 席 (seki) — seat, place, occasion
• Pronunciation: /ɕɯs.se.ki/

Meaning

Attendance; presence. Being present at a class, meeting, or event.

Functions as a noun or する verb (出席する). The opposite is 欠席 (kesseki, absence). Attendance is taken seriously in Japanese schools and workplaces. 出席率 (shussekiritsu) is attendance rate, and 出席を取る (shusseki wo toru) means to take attendance.

Examples

1. 今日の会議に出席できますか。 Can you attend today's meeting?
2. 毎日授業に出席することが大切です。 It's important to attend class every day.
3. 出席率が低いと、単位がもらえない。 If your attendance rate is low, you won't earn the credits.

Usage Guide

Context: school, work, meetings

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 出 (shutsu, go out/appear) and 席 (seki, seat/place). Literally means appearing at one's seat — showing up and being present.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal