How to say "depart" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 出かけるでかけるichidan verb, intransitive verbCovers going out on an outing or excursion rather than true departure; best when English 'depart' really just means 'head out' for shopping, a walk, or a day trip.１０分前に出かけました。↗She left home ten minutes ago.
- 旅立つたびだつgodan verb, intransitive verbSpecifically beginning a trip, often with a literary or emotional flavor, as in leaving home for a long journey. Use it only when 'depart' refers to embarking on travel, not ordinary leaving.
- 立ち去るたちさるgodan verb, intransitive verbMeans leaving or departing from a place, often after some event, with a nuance of walking away from the scene. Suits 'depart' in the sense of taking one's leave of a location.
- 辞すじすgodan verb, intransitive verbChiefly means taking one's leave, excusing oneself, or formally withdrawing, so it fits 'depart' only in that polite, ceremonial sense. It is rarely the word you want for physical departure.
- 出るでるichidan verb, intransitive verbA broad, versatile verb meaning to leave, set out, or depart, including leaving on a journey. It is a safe general choice for 'depart' when no special nuance of farewell or ceremony is intended.
For everyday outings use 「出かける」; for setting off on a journey use 「旅立つ」 or 「出る」; for leaving a place use 「立ち去る」; 「辞す」 mainly covers formally taking one's leave rather than physical departure.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
- 出かけるでかけるto go out (e.g. on an excursion or outing)
- 旅立つたびだつto begin a trip
- 立ち去るたちさるto leave
- 辞すじすto take one's leave
- 発つたつto depart (on a journey, trip, etc.)
- 征くゆくto depart (for military service)
- 辞するじするto take one's leave
- 出るでるto leave (on a journey)
- 発するはっするto leave
- 就くつくto start (on a journey)
- 立つたつto depart (on a journey, trip, etc.)
- 曲げるまげるto yield (a point)
See also
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