At the A1 level, 'départ' is one of the first nouns you learn related to travel. You use it to talk about trains, planes, and buses. It is essential for basic survival in a French-speaking country. You need to know that 'le départ' is the opposite of 'l'arrivée'. You will see it on signs at the airport. At this level, focus on simple phrases like 'L'heure de départ' (The departure time) and 'Le départ est à 10h' (The departure is at 10 AM). You should also learn the basic prepositional use: 'avant le départ' (before the departure). It is a masculine noun, so always use 'le' or 'un'. You don't need to worry about metaphorical meanings yet; just think of it as the moment you start your journey. Practice saying it clearly, as the 't' at the end is silent. This word helps you ask questions like 'Où est le tableau des départs?' (Where is the departure board?). Understanding this word makes navigating public transport much less stressful. It is a foundational building block for any traveler.
At the A2 level, you begin to use 'départ' in more varied contexts, such as the workplace or sports. You might talk about a colleague's departure ('le départ d'un collègue') or the start of a local race. You should become comfortable with the expression 'au départ', which can mean 'at the beginning' or 'initially'. For example, 'Au départ, je ne voulais pas venir' (Initially, I didn't want to come). You also learn to describe the departure with adjectives, like 'un départ rapide' or 'un départ difficile'. You start to see the connection between 'départ' and the verb 'partir' more clearly. You might use it in the context of planning a vacation: 'Nous préparons notre départ'. At this level, you should also recognize 'le point de départ' as a physical starting point. You are moving beyond simple labels and starting to integrate the word into descriptions of events and personal plans. It's about adding detail to the basic concept of leaving.
By B1, you are expected to use 'départ' in more abstract and idiomatic ways. You should be familiar with 'prendre un nouveau départ' (to make a fresh start), which is common in discussions about life changes, moving to a new city, or starting a new relationship. You will also encounter 'dès le départ' (from the very beginning) to emphasize that something has been true since the start. For example, 'Il a été honnête dès le départ'. You can use 'départ' to discuss professional situations more formally, such as 'un départ négocié' (a negotiated departure/resignation). In discussions or essays, 'le point de départ' can refer to the basis of an argument or the origin of a problem. You are now using the word to structure your thoughts and provide emphasis. You understand the difference between 'départ' and 'début' in more nuanced contexts, knowing that 'départ' often implies a more dynamic or sudden beginning. Your vocabulary is becoming more flexible, allowing you to use 'départ' to describe not just physical movement, but also the initiation of complex processes.
At the B2 level, you master the nuances and formal registers associated with 'départ'. You can use it in technical or administrative contexts, such as 'donner le départ' (to give the signal to start) or 'un avis de départ'. You understand the cultural significance of terms like 'le Grand Départ' in the context of French heritage like the Tour de France. You are capable of using 'départ' in complex sentence structures, perhaps using it as a subject in a metaphorical sense: 'Le départ de cette crise remonte à plusieurs années'. You also recognize more sophisticated synonyms like 'l'amorce' or 'le déclenchement' and know when 'départ' is the more natural choice. You can discuss the emotional impact of a departure in a nuanced way, using it in literary or journalistic contexts. Your use of 'départ' is now precise, and you can avoid common pitfalls that lower-level learners might fall into. You are comfortable with the word's role in various fixed expressions and can use them to sound more like a native speaker.
At the C1 level, you use 'départ' with total precision and stylistic flair. You might use it in academic writing to discuss the 'point de départ' of a philosophical movement or a scientific theory. You are aware of its use in legal or highly formal documents, such as 'la date de départ d'un contrat' (the effective date of a contract). You can appreciate the word's use in literature, where a 'départ' might symbolize a character's internal transformation or a definitive break with the past. You understand the subtle difference between 'un départ' and 'une démission' in a corporate context and can choose the word that best fits the desired tone. You might use expressions like 'sur le départ' to describe someone who is about to leave or whose position is precarious. Your command of the word allows you to use it in puns or rhetorical devices. You are sensitive to the rhythm of the sentence and how 'départ' fits into the overall flow of high-level discourse.
At the C2 level, 'départ' is a tool for sophisticated expression. You can use it to discuss complex historical exoduses, the 'départ' of a new era in geopolitics, or the subtle 'départ' of a musical theme in a symphony. You have a deep understanding of the word's etymology and its historical evolution in the French language. You can use it in highly specialized fields, from aeronautics to philosophy, with perfect accuracy. You are able to critique the use of the word in others' writing, identifying when a synonym might provide a more precise shade of meaning. For you, 'départ' is not just a word for leaving; it is a concept that you can manipulate to express the finest nuances of beginning, transition, and separation. You can use it in creative writing to evoke specific atmospheres, from the sterile 'départ' of a modern airport to the nostalgic 'départ' of a steam train in a historical novel. Your mastery is such that the word becomes an invisible but essential part of your rich and varied vocabulary.

départ 30초 만에

  • Départ means departure or start.
  • It is a masculine noun (le départ).
  • Commonly used in travel (trains, planes).
  • Used in sports for the starting line.

The French word départ is a masculine noun that primarily signifies the act of leaving a place to go elsewhere, or the point in time or space where a journey or process begins. At its core, it captures the transition from stillness to motion, or from one state to another. Whether you are standing on a train platform, waiting for the starter's pistol in a race, or launching a new business venture, the départ is that pivotal moment of initiation.

Physical Movement
The literal act of exiting a location, such as a station, airport, or home.
Temporal Beginning
The start of an event, a period of time, or a specific duration.
Conceptual Launch
The initiation of a project, an idea, or a new phase in life.

Le départ du train est prévu pour quatorze heures précises.

— Common travel announcement

In a broader sense, départ can also refer to the resignation or retirement of an employee. When someone leaves a company, colleagues might organize a 'pot de départ' (a farewell drink). This demonstrates the word's versatility in covering both physical departures and professional transitions. Furthermore, in sports, specifically racing, the départ is the starting line or the start of the race itself. Terms like 'faux départ' (false start) are essential vocabulary for any athlete.

C'est un nouveau départ pour toute l'équipe après cette restructuration.

Understanding the nuances of départ requires looking at its collocations. For instance, 'au départ' often means 'initially' or 'at first,' whereas 'dès le départ' means 'from the very beginning.' These temporal markers are crucial for structuring narratives in French. The word also carries a certain emotional weight; a departure can be a source of sadness (separation) or excitement (adventure).

Nous avons pris le départ de la course sous une pluie battante.

Son départ à la retraite a laissé un grand vide dans le service.

Vérifiez bien l'heure de départ sur votre billet d'avion.

Using départ correctly involves mastering its relationship with prepositions and its role as a noun. Unlike the verb 'partir', which requires conjugation, 'départ' functions as a fixed point in your sentence structure. One of the most common ways to use it is in the context of travel. You will often see it paired with 'de' to indicate the origin: 'le départ de Paris'.

With Verbs
Prendre le départ (to start a race), annoncer un départ (to announce a departure), retarder le départ (to delay the departure).
As a Time Marker
Au départ (initially), dès le départ (from the start), avant le départ (before leaving).
In Compound Nouns
Point de départ (starting point), zone de départ (departure area), fiche de départ (departure form).

When discussing a career change, you might say 'mon départ de l'entreprise' (my leaving the company). Note that 'départ' is always masculine (le départ, un départ). If you want to describe the quality of the start, you can add adjectives: 'un départ précipité' (a rushed departure) or 'un départ imminent' (an imminent departure).

Il faut arriver à la gare trente minutes avant le départ.

In idiomatic usage, 'un faux départ' is not just for sports; it can describe a project that failed to launch correctly or a social situation that began awkwardly. 'Prendre un nouveau départ' is a very common expression meaning to turn over a new leaf or make a fresh start in life, often after a difficult period like a breakup or a job loss.

You will encounter the word départ in various daily scenarios in France and other French-speaking countries. The most frequent location is undoubtedly transportation hubs. In any 'gare' (train station) or 'aéroport' (airport), you will see large screens labeled Départs opposite those labeled Arrivées. Announcements will constantly reference 'l'heure de départ' or 'le départ immédiat'.

Public Transport
Announcements about train schedules, bus departures, and flight gates.
Sports Commentary
During the Tour de France or Olympic sprints, commentators shout about the 'grand départ'.
Office Environment
Discussions about colleagues leaving the team or the start of a new fiscal year.

In the world of sports, the 'Grand Départ' is the official opening stage of a major cycling race. It is a massive cultural event. In a more domestic setting, you might hear a parent telling a child 'Prépare tes affaires, le départ est dans dix minutes!' (Get your things ready, we're leaving in ten minutes!).

Mesdames et Messieurs, le train à destination de Lyon est prêt au départ.

In literature and news, départ is used to describe the beginning of historical movements or the exodus of populations. It carries a sense of finality or significant change. In cinema, 'un départ' often marks the end of the first act, where the hero leaves their 'ordinary world' to begin the adventure.

Even though départ is an A1 level word, learners often make subtle errors in its application. The most frequent mistake is confusing the noun 'départ' with the verb 'partir'. For example, saying 'Mon départ est à 8h' is correct, but 'Je départ à 8h' is incorrect (it should be 'Je pars').

Confusing with 'Sortie'
'Sortie' is an exit (the door or the act of going out), while 'départ' is the start of a journey.
Preposition Errors
Using 'à le départ' instead of 'au départ'.
Gender Confusion
Thinking it is feminine because it ends in 't' or relates to 'la partie'. It is always 'le départ'.

Another common error is using 'départ' when 'début' (beginning) would be more appropriate. While they both mean 'start', 'départ' implies a movement away from a point, whereas 'début' is used for the start of a movie, a book, or a conversation. You wouldn't say 'le départ du film', but rather 'le début du film'. However, you can say 'le départ d'une affaire' if you are emphasizing the launch of the business.

Faux: Au départ du livre... (Correct: Au début du livre...)

Learners also struggle with the expression 'faire part de son départ'. This is a formal way to announce one is leaving a job. Some might mistakenly say 'dire son départ', which sounds unnatural. Always remember that 'départ' usually involves a destination or a reason for leaving.

To truly master départ, you should understand how it relates to its synonyms and near-synonyms. Each word carries a slightly different nuance that can change the tone of your sentence.

Début
The general start of something (time, event, object).
Sortie
The physical act of going out or an exit point.
Envol
Specifically for birds or planes taking off; also used metaphorically for a career taking off.
Commencement
A more formal or philosophical word for 'beginning'.

While 'départ' is the act of leaving, 'adieu' or 'au revoir' are the words spoken during that act. 'L'exode' is a mass departure. 'La fuite' is a departure to escape something (a flight or escape). In a race, 'le coup d'envoi' is specifically the kickoff (usually in football), whereas 'le départ' is for racing.

Le décollage (take-off) est un type spécifique de départ pour un avion.

In business, you might hear 'lancement' (launch) instead of 'départ' when referring to a product. However, 'le point de départ' remains the standard term for the 'starting point' of an argument or a theory. Understanding these distinctions helps you move from basic fluency to nuanced expression.

How Formal Is It?

난이도

알아야 할 문법

Contractions (de + le = du)

Masculine/Feminine noun endings

Prepositions of time

Silent final consonants

Noun-Adjective agreement

수준별 예문

1

Le départ du train est à dix heures.

The train's departure is at ten o'clock.

Masculine noun 'le départ'.

2

Où est la porte de départ ?

Where is the departure gate?

Noun + de + noun construction.

3

C'est l'heure du départ.

It is time for departure.

Contraction of 'de + le' into 'du'.

4

Bon départ !

Have a good start/departure!

Adjective 'bon' matches masculine 'départ'.

5

Regarde le tableau des départs.

Look at the departure board.

Plural form 'les départs'.

6

Le départ est demain.

The departure is tomorrow.

Simple subject-verb-adverb structure.

7

Je prépare mon départ.

I am preparing my departure.

Possessive adjective 'mon'.

8

Attendez le signal du départ.

Wait for the starting signal.

Use of 'du' (de + le).

1

Au départ, j'étais un peu stressé.

Initially, I was a bit stressed.

Adverbial phrase 'au départ'.

2

Nous avons fêté le départ de Julie.

We celebrated Julie's departure.

Possessive 'de Julie'.

3

Le départ de la course est à la mairie.

The start of the race is at the town hall.

Preposition 'à la' for location.

4

Il a pris un nouveau départ dans une autre ville.

He made a fresh start in another city.

Expression 'prendre un nouveau départ'.

5

Le départ a été retardé par la pluie.

The departure was delayed by the rain.

Passive voice 'a été retardé'.

6

C'est un départ précipité.

It's a rushed departure.

Adjective 'précipité' following the noun.

7

Vérifiez votre quai de départ.

Check your departure platform.

Imperative 'vérifiez'.

8

Le point de départ est ici.

The starting point is here.

Fixed phrase 'point de départ'.

1

Dès le départ, il savait que ce serait difficile.

From the very start, he knew it would be difficult.

Emphasis with 'dès'.

2

Son départ a surpris tout le monde au bureau.

His departure surprised everyone at the office.

Subject-verb agreement.

3

Nous devons fixer une date de départ pour le projet.

We must set a start date for the project.

Noun phrase 'date de départ'.

4

C'est un faux départ pour cette nouvelle entreprise.

It's a false start for this new company.

Metaphorical use of 'faux départ'.

5

Le départ des oiseaux migrateurs annonce l'hiver.

The departure of migratory birds heralds winter.

Abstract use of 'départ'.

6

Il a organisé un pot de départ avant de quitter l'agence.

He organized a farewell drink before leaving the agency.

Cultural term 'pot de départ'.

7

Le départ de l'incendie a été localisé dans la cuisine.

The start of the fire was located in the kitchen.

Technical use for the origin of an event.

8

Tout dépend du point de départ de votre réflexion.

Everything depends on the starting point of your thinking.

Abstract use of 'point de départ'.

1

Le Grand Départ du Tour de France est un événement majeur.

The Grand Départ of the Tour de France is a major event.

Proper noun usage.

2

Son départ à la retraite sera fêté dignement.

His retirement will be celebrated properly.

Phrase 'départ à la retraite'.

3

Le départ de l'avion a été annulé sans explication.

The plane's departure was cancelled without explanation.

Passive voice 'a été annulé'.

4

Il est sur le départ, ses valises sont déjà dans la voiture.

He is about to leave; his suitcases are already in the car.

Idiom 'être sur le départ'.

5

Le départ de cette rumeur est difficile à identifier.

The origin of this rumor is difficult to identify.

Metaphorical 'départ' as origin.

6

Un départ négocié est préférable à un licenciement.

A negotiated departure is preferable to a dismissal.

Professional terminology.

7

Le départ de la fusée a été retransmis en direct.

The rocket launch was broadcast live.

Specific use for aerospace.

8

Elle a pris le départ malgré sa blessure à la cheville.

She started the race despite her ankle injury.

Expression 'prendre le départ'.

1

Le départ de l'intrigue se situe dans un petit village isolé.

The starting point of the plot is set in a small, isolated village.

Literary analysis context.

2

Cette théorie prend pour départ un postulat erroné.

This theory takes an erroneous premise as its starting point.

Academic usage 'prendre pour départ'.

3

Le départ massif des capitaux inquiète les marchés.

The massive flight of capital is worrying the markets.

Economic context.

4

Son départ précipité a laissé planer de nombreux doutes.

His rushed departure left many doubts hanging.

Nuanced narrative style.

5

Il faut analyser le départ de cette crise sociétale.

We must analyze the origin of this societal crisis.

Sociological context.

6

Le départ de l'œuvre est marqué par un ton mélancolique.

The beginning of the work is marked by a melancholy tone.

Artistic/Literary criticism.

7

Le départ de feu a été maîtrisé rapidement par les secours.

The start of the fire was quickly brought under control by emergency services.

Specific term 'départ de feu'.

8

Elle a toujours été sur le départ, incapable de se fixer.

She was always on the move, unable to settle down.

Metaphorical character description.

1

L'ontologie heideggérienne prend son départ dans la question de l'Être.

Heideggerian ontology takes its starting point in the question of Being.

High-level philosophical discourse.

2

Le départ de la symphonie est d'une sobriété déconcertante.

The beginning of the symphony is disconcertingly sober.

Musicological analysis.

3

On peut dater le départ de ce mouvement littéraire aux années 20.

The start of this literary movement can be dated to the 1920s.

Historical/Literary precision.

4

Ce départ en exil fut pour lui une véritable déchirure.

This departure into exile was a true heartbreak for him.

Evocative, high-register prose.

5

Le départ de l'action dramatique coïncide avec l'arrivée du messager.

The start of the dramatic action coincides with the arrival of the messenger.

Theatrical analysis.

6

L'analyse du départ de l'influx nerveux est complexe.

The analysis of the initiation of the nerve impulse is complex.

Scientific/Biological precision.

7

Son départ fut le catalyseur d'une révolution interne.

His departure was the catalyst for an internal revolution.

Metaphorical/Political usage.

8

Il s'agit d'un départ sans retour, une rupture définitive.

It is a departure with no return, a definitive break.

Philosophical/Existential tone.

자주 쓰는 조합

point de départ
heure de départ
faux départ
ligne de départ
ville de départ
quai de départ
avis de départ
bon départ
nouveau départ
grand départ

자주 혼동되는 단어

départ vs début

départ vs partie

départ vs partir

혼동하기 쉬운

départ vs

départ vs

départ vs

départ vs

départ vs

문장 패턴

사용법

vs debut

Départ is for leaving/motion; Début is for beginning/time.

vs partie

Départ is the act; Partie is a game or a part of a whole.

자주 하는 실수
  • Using 'la départ' (it's masculine).
  • Saying 'au début' when referring to a train leaving.
  • Pronouncing the final 't'.
  • Confusing 'départ' with 'partir' in a sentence.
  • Using 'départ' for the start of a movie.

Travel Tip

Always look for the 'Départs' sign at the airport to find your gate.

Gender Tip

Remember 'le départ' by associating it with 'le train'.

Social Tip

If a colleague has a 'pot de départ', it's polite to attend.

Sound Tip

Focus on the 'é' sound; it's sharp like in 'café'.

Style Tip

Use 'dès le départ' to show something was true from the beginning.

Racing Tip

'Prendre le départ' means to actually start the race.

Office Tip

'Un départ négocié' is a formal way to talk about leaving a job.

Expression Tip

'Nouveau départ' is perfect for New Year's resolutions.

Avoid Mistake

Don't say 'Je départ'; say 'Je pars'.

Audio Tip

Listen for the silent 't' in songs and movies.

암기하기

기억법

The 'DE' in DEpart is for DElivering yourself to a new place.

어원

Old French 'despart', from 'despartir' (to divide, separate).

문화적 맥락

The 'chassé-croisé' during summer involves massive 'départs' and 'retours'.

The 'pot de départ' is essential for maintaining professional social bonds.

The 'Grand Départ' is the ceremonial start of the world's most famous cycling race.

실생활에서 연습하기

실제 사용 상황

대화 시작하기

"À quelle heure est ton départ ?"

"Tu as déjà fait ton pot de départ ?"

"Quel est le point de départ de ton idée ?"

"C'est quand le grand départ pour tes vacances ?"

"Tu préfères un départ le matin ou le soir ?"

일기 주제

Décrivez votre dernier départ en vacances.

Imaginez un nouveau départ dans un autre pays.

Pourquoi le départ est-il parfois triste ?

Quel est le point de départ de votre passion pour le français ?

Racontez un faux départ que vous avez vécu.

자주 묻는 질문

10 질문

It is masculine: le départ.

Départ is for leaving or starting a journey/race. Début is for the beginning of a period or object.

Un faux départ.

A farewell party or drink at work.

No, the 't' is silent.

Yes, especially in phrases like 'point de départ'.

L'arrivée (arrival).

It means 'initially' or 'at the start'.

Yes, for planes, trains, and buses.

Yes, 'son départ de l'entreprise' can mean they quit.

셀프 테스트 180 질문

/ 180 correct

Perfect score!

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