Translation guide
How to express that something is left unfinished, not done, or intentionally omitted in Japanese.
To stop doing something before it is completed, or to not do something that should be done.
Literally 'leave it in a half-done state'. Used for tasks or activities that are started but not finished.
宿題をやりかけのままにして遊びに行った。
I left my homework half-done and went out to play.
Means 'leave it as it is' without finishing. Implies no further action is taken.
To fail to perform an action, often due to forgetfulness or neglect.
Pattern meaning 'to remain without doing'. Attach to verb stem. Indicates a state where the action hasn't been done.
まだ返事を書かずにいる。
I still haven't written a reply (and it's been left undone).
To deliberately not do something, often because it's unnecessary or by choice.
Avoid directly translating 'leave' as 去る (saru) or 出る (deru) when meaning 'leave undone'. These verbs mean physical departure, not leaving a task incomplete.
やりかけ emphasizes that the task was started but not finished. そのまま focuses on the state of being untouched or unchanged, regardless of whether it was started.
部屋の掃除をそのままにしておいた。
I left the room cleaning undone.
To leave something unattended or neglected. Often used for problems or tasks that should be dealt with.
問題を放置してはいけない。
You must not leave the problem unresolved.
To leave something undone, often with a sense of regret or incompleteness. Used for tasks that remain unfinished.
仕事をやり残して帰るのは気持ちが悪い。
It feels bad to go home leaving work undone.
Literally 'leave it in the state of not having done'. Emphasizes that the action was never performed.
ドアに鍵をかけないままにした。
I left the door unlocked (didn't lock it).
To neglect or fail to do something that is one's duty. Formal and often used in written contexts.
注意を怠ると事故につながる。
If you neglect to pay attention, it can lead to an accident.
To omit, leave out, or skip. Used when you intentionally exclude a step or detail.
説明を省いて要点だけ話した。
I left out the explanation and just talked about the main points.
Pattern meaning 'leave it undone on purpose' or 'choose not to do for now'. Implies a deliberate decision.
今日は掃除をしないでおこう。
I'll leave the cleaning undone today (on purpose).
To skip or omit, often used for steps in a process or items in a list. Can be casual.
朝ごはんを抜かした。
I skipped breakfast.