Translation guide
The English word 'leaving' covers departing from a place, quitting a job or group, leaving something behind, and more. This guide organizes the most useful Japanese expressions by meaning.
To go away from a location, such as home, work, or a meeting place.
The most common verb for leaving a place. Used for leaving rooms, buildings, and general locations.
家を出る。
I leave the house.
会議室を出ましょう。
Let's leave the meeting room.
More formal or literary. Implies leaving a place, often with a sense of finality or distance.
Used mainly for departing on a journey. Often seen in travel contexts.
To resign from a job, leave a club, or drop out of school.
The standard verb for quitting a job, club, or activity. Often used with を.
To forget or abandon an item, or to leave a mark/impression.
To let something remain as it is, without changing it.
Pattern meaning 'leave something as it is'. Attach to verb past tense or noun + の.
ドアを開けたままにしてください。
Please leave the door open.
To part from someone, end a relationship, or abandon.
出る is the everyday word for leaving a place. 去る is more formal and often implies a permanent or significant departure.
English uses 'leave' for forgetting items, but Japanese uses 忘れる or 置き忘れる. Using 残す would mean intentionally leaving something behind.
He left his hometown.
I leave Tokyo tomorrow.
To forget to bring something; to leave something behind unintentionally.
傘を電車に忘れた。
I left my umbrella on the train.
To leave something behind by putting it down and forgetting it.
鞄をレストランに置き忘れた。
I left my bag at the restaurant.
To leave something behind intentionally, such as food, a message, or an impression.
伝言を残してください。
Please leave a message.
彼は強い印象を残した。
He left a strong impression.
そのままにしておいて。
Leave it as it is.
To do something in advance and leave it in that state. Often implies intentional leaving.
窓を開けておいてください。
Please leave the window open.
To part from someone, break up, or say goodbye.
To abandon or desert someone, often with a negative connotation.
彼は家族を見捨てた。
He abandoned his family.
家に携帯を忘れた。
I left my phone at home.