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.
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).
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.
He dropped out of university.
To leave school, often used for expulsion or formal withdrawal. Can sound more formal or serious than 中退.
A casual way to say 'quit school'. やめる means 'to quit' or 'to stop'.
To express that someone is leaving the school building at the end of the school day or for a specific reason.
To express that someone is leaving one school to attend another.
The standard verb for transferring schools. Often used for elementary through high school.
He will transfer schools next month.
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.
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.
He was expelled from high school.
He quit school and started working.
The students left school at three o'clock.