Translation guide
This guide covers how to express the concept of leaving school in Japanese, including graduating, dropping out, leaving for the day, and transferring. The appropriate expression depends on the reason for leaving and the context.
To express that someone has completed their studies and officially left school by graduating.
The standard verb for graduating from a school. Use を to mark the school.
彼は高校を卒業した。
He graduated from high school.
I will graduate from university next year.
The noun form meaning 'graduation'. Often used in compounds like 卒業式 (graduation ceremony).
卒業おめでとう！
Congratulations on your graduation!
To express that someone left school before completing their studies, often permanently.
The standard verb for dropping out of school. 中退 means 'leaving midway'. Use を to mark the school.
彼は大学を中退した。
He dropped out of university.
To leave school, often used for expulsion or formal withdrawal. Can sound more formal or serious than 中退.
彼は高校を退学になった。
He was expelled from high school.
A casual way to say 'quit school'. やめる means 'to quit' or 'to stop'.
彼は学校をやめて働き始めた。
He quit school and started working.
To express that someone is leaving the school building at the end of the school day or for a specific reason.
Literally 'to leave school', used when physically exiting the school premises. Neutral and common.
放課後、すぐに学校を出た。
I left school right after classes ended.
A more formal or written term for leaving school to go home. Often used in school contexts.
生徒たちは三時に下校した。
The students left school at three o'clock.
To express that someone is leaving one school to attend another.
To express that someone is leaving school before the usual dismissal time, e.g., due to illness or an appointment.
To leave school (or work) early. Commonly used for leaving due to illness or personal reasons.
気分が悪いので早退します。
I'm not feeling well, so I'm going to leave early.
卒業 (graduation) is a positive completion. 中退 (dropping out) is leaving voluntarily or due to circumstances before completion. 退学 can imply expulsion or a formal withdrawal, often with a negative connotation.
The English phrase 'leaving school' can be ambiguous. In Japanese, you must specify the reason: graduating, dropping out, leaving for the day, etc. Using 学校を出る for graduation would be unnatural.