I was absent

estuve ausente

I was absent(ay wuhz ahb-sihnt)

phrase

1. (I was not present)

a. estuve ausente (short or defined period of time)

How does the teacher know I was absent last class? - Because she called the roll.

¿Cómo supo la maestra que estuve ausente en la última clase? - Porque pasó lista.

b. estaba ausente (long or undefined period of time)

I was sitting at the back, so people who didn't see me thought I was absent.

Estaba sentado al fondo, por lo que la gente que no me vio pensó que estaba ausente.

2. (I was distracted)

a. estaba distraído

I'm sorry. I was absent and didn't listen to what you said.

Perdón. Estaba distraído y no escuché lo que dijiste.