Translation guide
Ways to express the idea of releasing, emitting, or allowing something to escape in Japanese, depending on what is being let out (sound, air, liquid, emotions, etc.) and the context.
To let out air from a tire, gas from a container, or liquid from a vessel.
General verb for extracting or letting out something contained, such as air, water, or a plug. Often used with the object being removed.
I let the air out of the tire.
お風呂の水を抜く。
I drain the bathwater.
To let something leak or escape unintentionally or through negligence. Often used for gas, liquid, or secrets.
ガスを漏らしてしまった。
I accidentally let the gas leak out.
Formal/technical term for releasing or discharging substances, often used in scientific or industrial contexts.
工場が有害物質を放出した。
The factory released harmful substances.
To let out a cry, scream, sigh, or other vocal sound.
Literally 'to put out a voice', the most common way to say 'let out a sound' or 'utter a sound'.
驚いて声を出した。
I let out a sound of surprise.
To emit or let out a sound, often used in written or formal contexts. Can also be used for light, smell, etc.
彼はため息を発した。
He let out a sigh.
Intransitive verb for a sound escaping unintentionally, like a gasp or moan slipping out.
To let out anger, frustration, joy, etc., often verbally or through behavior.
General phrase for expressing or showing one's emotions.
彼はなかなか感情を出さない。
He rarely lets his emotions show.
To dump or vent one's feelings, often in a sudden, uncontrolled way. Casual.
彼女に不満をぶちまけた。
I let out all my frustrations on her.
To release or let off steam, often used for stress or pent-up energy.
ストレスを発散するために運動した。
I exercised to let out some stress.
To alter a garment to make it looser or larger.
In sewing contexts, 出す means to let out a seam or hem. Often used with the part being adjusted.
ウエストを少し出してもらえますか？
Could you let out the waist a little?
To loosen or relax the fit, though less specific to tailoring than 出す.
To let someone out of a room, cage, prison, etc.
Simple verb for letting someone or something out of an enclosed space.
犬を庭に出してあげて。
Let the dog out into the yard.
子供たちを外に出すな。
Don't let the children out.
To release or set free, often used for prisoners or animals from captivity.
彼は刑務所から解放された。
He was let out of prison.
To reveal or disclose something that was meant to be kept private.
To leak or let slip information, often accidentally.
彼は秘密を漏らしてしまった。
He let out the secret.
To disclose or reveal a secret, often intentionally. Casual.
Idiom meaning 'to let slip' or 'to make a slip of the tongue'.
つい口を滑らせて本音を言ってしまった。
I accidentally let out my true feelings.
The English phrasal verb 'let out' covers many distinct actions. In Japanese, you must choose the verb based on what is being released and how. Using 出す for everything can sound unnatural. For example, 'let out a sigh' is ため息をつく or ため息を漏らす, not ため息を出す.
A scream escaped my lips.
このジャケットの身幅をゆるめてください。
Please let out the body width of this jacket.
Who let out that information?