Spanish Phrase
Hoy no están en la oficina.
Meaning
The sentence means ‘They are not in the office today.’ It uses *estar* to talk about a temporary location, and the negation *no* makes it clear that the people are absent.
When to use
Use this phrase when you need to tell a colleague, client, or friend that a group of people (e.g., a team, the staff, or specific coworkers) is not present at the workplace today. It’s handy for phone calls, emails, or quick face‑to‑face updates.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Hoynoestánenlaoficina
Hoy
Adverb of time meaning 'today'. It usually appears at the beginning of a sentence.
no
Standard negation particle placed before the verb.
están
Third‑person plural present of the verb *estar*, used for temporary locations or states.
en
Preposition meaning 'in' or 'at' that introduces the place.
la
Definite article that agrees in gender and number with *oficina*.
oficina
Feminine noun meaning 'office'.
🗨In Conversation
¿Dónde están los empleados?
Where are the employees?
Hoy no están en la oficina.
They are not in the office today.
✕Common Mistakes
Hoy no son en la oficina.
Use *estar* for temporary location, not *ser*.
Hoy no están en oficina.
The article *la* is required; omitting it sounds unnatural.
↔Alternatives
Hoy no se encuentran en la oficina.
They are not found in the office today.
Hoy no vienen a la oficina.
They aren't coming to the office today.
Hoy no están trabajando en la oficina.
They aren't working in the office today.
Cultural Tip
In many Spanish‑speaking workplaces, *estar* is preferred over *ser* for temporary locations because it conveys a sense of ‘being there right now.’ In some regions, especially in Mexico, you might hear *despacho* instead of *oficina* for a more formal office setting. When speaking to a superior, keep the tone polite and consider adding a courtesy phrase like *Lo siento* (I’m sorry) before the statement.