Translation guide
The act of stopping or leaving something, such as a job, habit, or activity. Japanese has different expressions depending on what is being quit and the context.
To resign from a job or leave a position voluntarily.
The most common verb for quitting a job or position. Used for leaving a company, club, or role.
会社を辞めることにしました。
I decided to quit my job.
彼は先月仕事を辞めた。
He quit his job last month.
A more formal term for resigning or retiring from a job. Often used in official contexts.
来月退職する予定です。
I plan to resign next month.
Literally 'to submit a resignation letter'. Used when formally handing in notice.
辞表を出して会社を辞めた。
I submitted my resignation and quit the company.
To stop doing something regularly, such as smoking, drinking, or a hobby.
The general verb for stopping an action or habit. Can be used for quitting smoking, drinking, etc.
タバコをやめたいです。
I want to quit smoking.
お酒をやめて、健康になった。
I quit drinking and became healthier.
An idiomatic expression meaning to quit a bad habit or shady business, literally 'to wash one's feet'. Used for leaving behind a disreputable lifestyle.
To stop participating in a game, match, or contest before it ends.
Can be used for quitting a game or activity, but often sounds abrupt. More natural in casual contexts.
もうこのゲームやめよう。
Let's quit this game already.
Borrowed from English 'retire', used specifically for dropping out of a race or competition.
マラソンで途中リタイアした。
I quit halfway through the marathon.
To withdraw from a competition or election; formal term for forfeiting.
怪我のため試合を棄権した。
I withdrew from the match due to injury.
To leave a place or situation, often abruptly or permanently.
To leave a place or organization. Commonly used for quitting a group or leaving a room.
彼は会議を途中で出た。
He quit the meeting halfway through.
To leave a place or situation, often with a sense of finality. More literary or formal.
彼は故郷を去った。
He quit his hometown.
To end a personal relationship, such as a romantic partnership or friendship.
The English verb 'quit' covers many situations, but Japanese uses different verbs depending on what is being quit. Using やめる for everything can sound unnatural. For example, 'quit a job' is 辞める, while 'quit smoking' is やめる, and 'quit a game' might be やめる or リタイアする depending on context.
辞める (やめる) specifically means to resign or leave a position, while やめる (often written in kana) is for stopping an action or habit. The kanji 辞 is used for quitting jobs, roles, or memberships.
仕事を辞めようかと考えています。
I'm thinking of quitting my job.
彼は去年タバコをやめました。
He quit smoking last year.
彼女は口論の後、チームを辞めた。
She quit the team after the argument.
彼はやくざの世界から足を洗った。
He quit the yakuza world.
I cut ties with him.