Translation guide
The English verb "vacate" means to leave a place, position, or seat so that it becomes empty or available. In Japanese, the best translation depends on what is being vacated: a room or building, a seat, a job or position, or a legal property. This guide covers the most natural Japanese expressions for each situation.
To exit a room, house, hotel, or other space so that it becomes empty, often by a certain time.
Formal term for vacating a rented room, apartment, or building. Commonly used in contracts and official notices.
テナントは月末までに退去しなければならない。
The tenant must vacate the premises by the end of the month.
Literally 'to empty the room'. Used in everyday situations like checking out of a hotel or leaving a room for someone else.
チェックアウトは10時ですので、それまでに部屋を空けてください。
Checkout is at 10, so please vacate your room by then.
Means 'to leave' or 'to go out of' a place. Can be used when telling someone to vacate, but can sound direct or harsh.
Can sound rude if used as a command without softening.
すぐにここを出て行け！
Vacate this place immediately!
Specifically means to evacuate or move out, often under legal or forced circumstances. Used for eviction or clearing a dangerous area.
住民は危険区域から立ち退くよう命じられた。
Residents were ordered to vacate the danger zone.
To get up from a seat so that someone else can use it, or to leave a specific place you are occupying.
Means 'to yield one's seat'. The most natural and polite way to say you are giving up your seat for someone, especially on public transport.
お年寄りには席を譲りましょう。
Let's vacate our seats for the elderly.
Literally 'to empty the seat'. Used when you temporarily leave your seat, e.g., at a conference, and intend to return, or when you want someone to free up a seat.
ちょっと席を空けますが、すぐ戻ります。
I'll vacate my seat for a moment, but I'll be right back.
Means 'to stand up from one's seat'. Implies leaving the seat, but not necessarily giving it to someone else. Often used when leaving a meeting or event.
会議中に席を立つのは失礼にあたる。
It's rude to vacate your seat during a meeting.
To resign from a job, step down from a position, or leave an official role.
Formal term for resigning from a position or office. Used for politicians, executives, etc.
社長は責任を取って辞任した。
The president vacated his position to take responsibility.
General term for leaving a job or retiring. Suitable for regular employment.
彼は来月退職する予定だ。
He plans to vacate his job next month.
A more literary or formal way to say 'resign from a post'.
不祥事の責任を取り、職を辞した。
He vacated his post, taking responsibility for the scandal.
To annul, cancel, or set aside a court decision or legal ruling.
Legal term meaning to overturn or quash a lower court's decision.
最高裁は原判決を破棄した。
The Supreme Court vacated the lower court's ruling.
General term for canceling or revoking something, including legal decisions.
裁判所はその命令を取り消した。
The court vacated the order.
The English verb "vacate" does not have a single direct equivalent in Japanese. Translating it as 空にする (to empty) or 去る (to leave) without context often sounds unnatural. Always choose the expression that matches the specific situation.
部屋を空にする
to empty a room (not 'vacate' in the sense of leaving)
退去する is the standard formal term for vacating a rented property, while 立ち退く implies forced eviction or evacuation. Use 退去する for normal move-outs and 立ち退く for legal or emergency situations.