Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Leave" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "leave", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
退院する
たいいんする (taiin suru)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
残す
のこす (nokosu)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "leave" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 退院する and 残す.
In Japanese, 退院する (たいいんする (taiin suru)) is typically associated with "to leave the hospital, to be discharged from the hospital" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents Indicates the action of leaving a hospital after recovering from an illness or treatment. Opposite of 入院する..
On the other hand, 残す (のこす (nokosu)) maps to "to leave (behind), to save (money), to leave (a will)" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents Transitive verb. To leave something. A literal translation of "leave" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "退院する"
病気が治ったので、明日、病院を退院します。
Since I've recovered, I will be discharged from the hospital tomorrow.
Bilingual Context for "残す"
ご飯を少しだけ残してしまった。
I left just a little rice (on my plate).
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "病気が治ったので、明日、病院を退院します。" (Meaning: "Since I've recovered, I will be discharged from the hospital tomorrow.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "退院する" fits here because it means "to leave the hospital, to be discharged from the hospital" in the context of: "Since I've recovered, I will be discharged from the hospital tomorrow.". "残す" represents "to leave (behind), to save (money), to leave (a will)".