Translation guide
How to express the idea of leaving something or someone in another person's care, possession, or company in Japanese. The best choice depends on whether you are leaving an object, a person, or a message, and the level of formality.
You want to leave a physical item with a person, often temporarily, so they can keep it safe or pass it on.
The most common and natural verb for leaving something with someone for safekeeping or temporary care. It implies trust that the person will look after the item.
荷物をフロントに預けてもいいですか。
Can I leave my luggage at the front desk?
鍵を隣の人に預けた。
I left the key with my neighbor.
Literally 'put and go'. Used when you physically place something somewhere and leave it, often with the nuance of abandoning or leaving behind, not necessarily with a specific caretaker.
Does not imply entrusting to a person; just leaving in a place.
荷物をここに置いていってもいいですか。
Is it okay if I leave my stuff here?
A more formal, literary word for entrusting something valuable or important to someone. Often used for abstract things like hopes or dreams, but can be used for physical items in solemn contexts.
彼に大事な書類を託した。
I entrusted the important documents to him.
You are leaving a person, often a child or someone needing care, in another person's charge.
Same verb as for objects. It works naturally for leaving a child or pet with someone.
子供を実家に預けた。
I left my child with my parents.
犬を友達に預かってもらった。
I had a friend look after my dog. (lit. I left my dog with a friend.)
Means 'to leave it to someone' or 'entrust to someone'. Implies you are letting them take responsibility. More about delegation than physical leaving.
子供の世話は妻に任せた。
I left the childcare to my wife.
You want to leave a verbal or written message for someone via a third party.
The standard way to say 'leave a message'. Literally 'request a message'.
伝言を頼んでもいいですか。
Can I leave a message?
彼に伝言を頼んだ。
I left a message with him.
A more direct translation using 預ける, common in business or service contexts.
担当者にメッセージを預けてもらえますか。
Could you leave a message for the person in charge?
A somewhat old-fashioned verb meaning to send word or leave a message through someone. Still used in formal or written contexts.
You are departing and leaving a person with someone else, often in a social setting.
There is no single verb for this. You usually describe the action, e.g., 'I left him with my friends' becomes '友達と一緒にさせた' or simply '友達のところに残した'.
彼を友達と一緒にさせて、私は先に帰った。
I left him with my friends and went home first.
子供たちをおばあちゃんのところに残して買い物に行った。
I left the kids with grandma and went shopping.
残す (のこす) means 'to leave behind' in the sense of abandoning or leaving something remaining. It is not used for entrusting something to someone's care. Saying 荷物を彼に残した sounds like you abandoned your luggage to him, not that you left it for safekeeping.
預ける (あずける) implies handing over to a person for care. 置いていく (おいていく) means leaving an object in a place and going away, without necessarily involving another person. Use 預ける when a person will look after the item.
これを預かってもらえますか。
Can I leave this with you?
Using 預かる (to take into care) from the receiver's perspective is very natural.
受付にカバンを預けました。
I left my bag with the receptionist.
よろしくと言付けられました。
I was asked to give you his regards. (lit. I was entrusted with a message saying 'yoroshiku'.)