Translation guide
The English phrase 'fall out' has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common uses for learners: objects dropping from a container, hair/teeth coming out, people having a disagreement, and military dispersal. It also notes less common literal and figurative uses.
ポケットから財布が落ちた。
My wallet fell out of my pocket.
髪が抜けている。
My hair is falling out.
友達と仲たがいした。
I fell out with my friend.
Something accidentally comes out of where it was contained, like from a pocket, bag, or hand.
General verb for something falling or dropping, often used when something slips out unintentionally.
ポケットから財布が落ちた。
My wallet fell out of my pocket.
手からコップが落ちた。
The cup fell out of my hand.
Specifically for things that were attached or inserted coming out, like hair or a plug.
Something that was part of the body detaches and falls, often due to age, illness, or natural process.
Standard verb for hair, teeth, feathers, etc. coming out. Intransitive.
Two or more people argue and their relationship becomes strained or ends.
Common phrase for falling out with someone, implying a rift in the relationship.
彼とはお金のことで仲たがいした。
I fell out with him over money.
Soldiers break ranks and move away, often after a command.
Something falls from an elevated place, like a window or tree.
Same as the first meaning, but context makes it clear it's from a height.
Events conclude in a particular way. This usage is old-fashioned and mostly found in literature.
Means 'to result in ~'. This is a modern equivalent for the dated 'fall out' meaning.
すべてはうまくいくという結果になった。
Everything fell out well.
The English 'fall out' meaning 'argue' does not translate directly to 落ちる or 外れる. Use 仲たがいする or 喧嘩する instead.
彼と落ちた。
I fell out with him. (incorrect)
Use 抜ける for things that detach from where they were rooted (hair, teeth). Use 落ちる for things that simply drop from a surface or container.
髪の毛が抜け落ちた。
My hair fell out.
Emphasizes spilling or overflowing and then falling, like liquid or small items.
袋から米がこぼれ落ちた。
Rice fell out of the bag.
歯が抜けた。
My tooth fell out.
ストレスで髪が抜ける。
My hair falls out due to stress.
More vivid, emphasizes the falling away. Often used for hair loss.
抗がん剤で髪が抜け落ちた。
My hair fell out from chemotherapy.
Means to quarrel or fight. Can imply a falling out if the context is a relationship breakdown.
兄弟と喧嘩して、それ以来口をきいていない。
I fell out with my brother and we haven't spoken since.
To become on bad terms. Slightly more formal.
最近、同僚と不仲になった。
I recently fell out with a colleague.
兵士たちは列を離れた。
The soldiers fell out.
赤ちゃんがベッドから落ちた。
The baby fell out of bed.