Translation guide
The English word "off" has many meanings and functions. This guide covers the most common uses for learners, from physical removal and deactivation to starting a journey and being absent.
Expressing that something is no longer attached, in contact, or in its usual place.
Used when something comes off by itself or becomes detached. For intentional removal, use 取る (とる).
ボタンが取れた。
The button came off.
シールがなかなか取れない。
The sticker won't come off easily.
To take off or remove something that is attached, like a lid, a ring, or a part.
蓋を外してください。
Please take the lid off.
指輪を外した。
I took my ring off.
Specifically for taking off clothing or footwear.
靴を脱いでください。
Please take your shoes off.
コートを脱いだ。
I took my coat off.
For something falling off a surface or from a height.
棚から本が落ちた。
A book fell off the shelf.
Describing machines, lights, or devices that are not turned on or active.
To turn off a light, TV, or electronic device. Also used for extinguishing fire.
テレビを消して。
Turn off the TV.
電気を消すのを忘れた。
I forgot to turn off the light.
Literally 'cut', used for turning off switches, power, or gas. Often used with スイッチ (switch).
スイッチを切ってください。
Please turn off the switch.
ガスを切った？
Did you turn off the gas?
Loanword from English, often used in compounds or technical contexts, like 'off mode'.
電源をオフにしてください。
Please turn the power off.
Indicating movement away, departure, or being absent.
To depart, set off. Formal and common for trips.
明日早く出発します。
We're off early tomorrow.
To leave, move away from a place or person.
彼は町を離れた。
He went off from the town.
Use 行ってしまう for 'off he went' (with a sense of finality), or 出かける for going out.
彼はさっさと行ってしまった。
He went off in a hurry.
買い物に出かけた。
She went off shopping.
Being absent from work or school, taking time off.
Day off, holiday, rest. Use with 取る (とる) to mean 'take time off'.
今日は休みです。
I'm off today.
来週休みを取ります。
I'm taking next week off.
Formal term for vacation or leave, often used in business contexts.
An event or plan that is no longer taking place.
Cancellation, called off. Often used for events, meetings, or operations.
試合は中止になった。
The game was called off.
Loanword for cancel, used in casual and business settings.
Food that has gone bad or is no longer fresh.
To rot, go bad. Used for food that has spoiled.
この牛乳は腐っている。
This milk is off.
To go bad, spoil, especially for perishable food. Slightly softer than 腐る.
The beginning of a race or trip, often used in set phrases.
Used in compound nouns like 'kick-off' (キックオフ) or 'off-road' (オフロード). Not used alone for 'they're off!'.
キックオフは午後3時です。
Kick-off is at 3 p.m.
For races, use スタート or スタートする. 'They're off!' can be スタートしました！
English 'off' is highly polysemous. Avoid using a single Japanese word for all cases. Pay attention to the specific meaning: removal, deactivation, absence, etc.
取れる (intransitive) is for things coming off by themselves. 外す (transitive) is for removing attached objects. 脱ぐ is only for clothes and shoes.
He is off on leave.
The meeting is off.
Fish goes off easily.
選手がスタートしました！
They're off!