How to say "leave-taking" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 告別こくべつnoun, suru verb, intransitive verbThe common word for 'farewell' and 'leave-taking'; it covers the general act of parting from someone or bidding them goodbye, and is the natural first choice when you need a noun for a farewell.
- 暇乞いいとまごいnoun, suru verb, intransitive verbLess common; it names the act of saying goodbye when taking one's leave of someone, with the literal nuance of asking leave to depart — for most purposes 告別 is the word you want.
For the general sense of 'leave-taking' use the common 告別; 「暇乞い」, which is less common, is for the specific act of saying goodbye when taking one's leave of someone.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
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