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.
I decided to quit my job.
He quit his job last month.
A more formal term for resigning or retiring from a job. Often used in official contexts.
I plan to resign next month.
Literally 'to submit a resignation letter'. Used when formally handing in notice.
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.
I want to quit smoking.
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.
Let's quit this game already.
Borrowed from English 'retire', used specifically for dropping out of a race or competition.
I quit halfway through the marathon.
To withdraw from a competition or election; formal term for forfeiting.
I withdrew from the match due to injury.
To leave a place or situation, often abruptly or permanently.
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.
I'm thinking of quitting my job.
He quit smoking last year.
She quit the team after the argument.
He quit the yakuza world.
He quit his hometown.
彼とは縁を切った。
I cut ties with him.