出発する
shuppatsu-suru
The English verb 'leave' can be translated into Japanese as 出発する (shuppatsu-suru) or 去る.
Meaning: to depart (intransitive) (verb)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 出発する | shuppatsu-suru | |
| 去る | saru | [sa̠ɾɯ̟] (narrow) |
出発する is used to describe the act of setting off or the specific moment of departure from a starting point, such as a station or a city. In more casual contexts, you might use 行く to indicate leaving a place or 行ってくる if you are leaving with the intention of returning.
Which one should you use?
出発する is a neutral term used when focusing on the beginning of a journey or the moment of departing from a specific point. In contrast, 去る is a more formal or literary term that often implies leaving a place behind permanently or departing from a person or a situation.
How does it change in a sentence?
The polite form of 出発する is 出発します, and the past tense is 出発した.
How do you pronounce it?
shuppatsu-suru
Did you know?
- A person leaving a room might say お先に失礼します, which translates to 'I am being rude by leaving before you'. This prioritizes the social harmony of the group over the act of departing.
- The verb 去る is so heavy with finality that it is used as a euphemism for death. In literary contexts, it describes a person departing from the world of the living entirely.
- The word 去る can be used to describe the passage of time, such as 'a year leaving'. It treats time as a physical location that one moves away from.
Examples in context
- 出発する時間だ。It's time to leave.This sentence is useful for stating the time to use 出発する.Tatoeba #147706 by KK_kaku_, translation #247561 by CK
- いつ出発するの？When will you leave?This sentence is useful for asking when someone will use 出発する.Tatoeba #228639 by tommy__san, translation #66004 by CK
- 明日出発するの？Will you leave tomorrow?This sentence is useful for asking if someone will use 出発する tomorrow.Tatoeba #11922403 by small_snow, translation #6153048 by sundown
- 行くねI'm leaving, bye!
- もう帰るI'm leaving now or I'm going home
- 41 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kenta and Himari are at the train station planning their trip.
- 健太 Kenta何時に出発する？Nanji ni shuppatsu suru?What time are we departing?
- 陽葵 Himari十時には出発する予定だよ。Juuji ni wa shuppatsu suru yotei da yo.We are scheduled to depart at ten.
- 健太 Kentaじゃあ、準備を始めよう。Jaa, junbi o hajimeyou.Then, let's start getting ready.
- 陽葵 Himariそうだね、急ごう。Sou dane, isogou.Right, let's hurry.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “leave” translations and entries 去る, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
