Translation guide
How to express the formal or polite act of departing, saying goodbye, or excusing oneself in Japanese.
I should be going.
Polite, signals imminent departure
To formally announce or perform one's departure, often in a polite or ceremonial context.
A standard polite phrase used when leaving a room, ending a visit, or excusing oneself. Literally 'I am being rude', but functions as 'Excuse me' or 'I'll take my leave now'.
I'll take my leave now. (said when leaving before others, e.g., at work)
Well then, I'll be going now.
A very polite and somewhat formal way to announce one's departure, often used when leaving someone's home or a formal gathering. It literally means 'I will take my leave'.
I should be taking my leave soon.
A more polite version of お先に失礼します, using humble language. Suitable for formal business settings.
I will take my leave now. (very polite)
Literally 'With this, I take my leave.' Used when departing after a brief interaction or when handing something over.
Well then, I'll take my leave now.
To physically depart from a social situation, meeting, or location.
The standard way to say 'I'm going home' or 'I'm leaving'. Used in casual to semi-formal contexts.
I'm leaving now.
I'll be heading home soon.
Means 'I'm leaving' or 'I'll go out'. Used when exiting a room or building, not necessarily going home.
I'll leave first.
A shortened, casual way to say 'I'm leaving before you'. Often used among colleagues or friends.
I'm off! (leaving before others)
To leave a conversation or room briefly, with the intention of returning.
To bid farewell in a poetic, dramatic, or old-fashioned manner.
An archaic or literary way to say 'farewell'. Not used in everyday speech; may appear in songs, poetry, or historical dramas.
Farewell, my friend.
A refined, somewhat old-fashioned farewell, often associated with upper-class or traditional settings. Can mean 'Goodbye' or 'Take care'.
Farewell, let us meet again.
The English phrase 'take one's leave' is quite formal and somewhat old-fashioned. In Japanese, the most natural equivalents depend heavily on context. Using a literal translation like 休暇を取る (きゅうかをとる, 'take a vacation') would be incorrect for the social act of departing. Stick to the set phrases above.
失礼します is the all-purpose polite phrase for leaving, suitable for most situations. お暇します is more formal and humble, typically used when leaving someone's home or a formal event. Overusing お暇します in casual settings can sound stiff.