Translation guide
The English word 'departure' covers leaving a place, starting a journey, and figurative deviations. In Japanese, different words are used depending on what is departing (person, vehicle) and the context (formal, casual, scheduled).
When a person leaves a location, such as home, office, or a gathering.
General term for departure, especially for starting a journey or trip. Can be used for people and vehicles.
I will depart from Tokyo tomorrow morning.
What time is the departure?
Common verb meaning 'to leave' or 'to go out'. More casual and everyday than 出発.
Please lock the door before leaving the house.
I have to go now.
Literary or formal verb for departing, often used in written language or announcements.
He left his hometown and headed for the city.
When a scheduled transport service leaves a station, airport, or port.
Used for all types of vehicles. Often seen on departure boards.
The Shinkansen departure is delayed.
Suffix attached to station names or times to indicate departure. Common in timetables and announcements.
Specifically for ships or boats setting sail.
Specifically for aircraft takeoff.
When something moves away from an established standard, tradition, or expectation.
Deviation, departure from rules, norms, or standards. Often used in formal or critical contexts.
His behavior is a departure from the rules.
To depart from a topic, tradition, or path. More general and less formal than 逸脱.
Breaking away from something, often used for departing from old ways or conventions.
They aim for a departure from tradition.
出発 is the standard word for departure of both people and vehicles, suitable for most situations. 出る is a casual, everyday verb for leaving a place. 発つ is more literary and formal, often used in writing or solemn announcements.
出発 implies starting a journey or trip. For simply leaving a room, use 出る (部屋を出る). Using 出発 would sound overly dramatic.
His sudden departure surprised everyone.
The departure of the train is at noon.
発車 is another common word for train departure.
This is a departure from our usual policy.
The departure lobby is on the second floor.
I'll take the 6 o'clock Shinkansen departing from Tokyo.
This train departs from Shibuya.
フェリーの出航は午後3時です。
The ferry departure is at 3 p.m.
The plane took off on schedule.
話が本題から離れてしまった。
The conversation departed from the main topic.