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退社する

B1 verb #3,500 most common 10 min read

退社する

Top 3,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 退社する in 30 Seconds

Explanation 退社する in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should know that 'taisha suru' is a formal way to say 'leave work.' While you might first learn 'kaeru' (to return home), 'taisha suru' is what you hear in offices. Think of it as 'Company (sha) + Leave (tai).' Even if you don't use it much yourself yet, you will hear it when you call a Japanese office. It usually means 'The person is not here because they finished work for the day.' Just remember: Sha = Company. It's a useful word for basic business situations.

At the A2 level, you can begin to use 'taisha suru' in simple professional contexts. You should understand that it's a 'suru' verb, so it becomes 'taisha shimasu' (polite) or 'taisha shimashita' (past tense). You might use it to tell a teacher or a boss about your schedule, like 'I leave work at 6 PM.' You should also be aware that it sounds more professional than 'kaeru.' It's a step toward 'Business Japanese.' You might also see it on signs or schedules in a workplace.

At the B1 level, you must understand the dual meaning of 'taisha suru.' It can mean 'going home for the day' OR 'quitting the job.' You need to use context to tell them apart. For example, if someone says they left at '5:00,' they just went home. If they say they left 'last month,' they probably quit. You should also start using the humble form 'taisha itashimashita' when answering phones for your company. This shows you understand the 'in-group/out-group' (uchi-soto) culture of Japanese business.

At the B2 level, you should be comfortable using 'taisha suru' in various formal registers. You should understand related terms like 'kotobuki-taisha' (leaving work to get married) and how 'taisha' differs from 'taishoku' (resignation). You should be able to explain personnel changes using this word in emails. You also need to navigate the nuances of 'zangyo' (overtime) and how 'teisha' (leaving on time) is discussed in modern Japanese corporate culture. Your usage should be natural and grammatically perfect in business settings.

At the C1 level, you should understand the subtle implications of 'taisha' in official corporate communications. You recognize when 'taisha' is used as a euphemism in news reports or when it's used to maintain a neutral tone in legal or HR documents. You can participate in nuanced discussions about labor laws, 'service overtime,' and how the concept of 'leaving the office' is changing with remote work (where 'taisha' might be replaced by 'taikin'). You should also master the most complex honorific forms surrounding this verb.

At the C2 level, you have a native-like grasp of 'taisha suru' and its place in the history of Japanese labor culture. You can analyze how the word is used in literature or high-level business journalism to convey specific social statuses or corporate atmospheres. You understand the historical shift from 'taisha' being a lifelong event to a daily routine. You can use the word and its derivatives with absolute precision in any context, from a casual chat with a CEO to a formal legal deposition regarding employment termination.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

退社する in 30 Seconds

Formal business verb for leaving the office for the day.
Can also mean resigning from a company permanently.
Essential for professional phone etiquette and emails.
Contrasts with 'taishoku' (only means quitting) and 'kaeru' (casual).

The Japanese verb 退社する (たいしゃする - taisha suru) is a cornerstone of Japanese business vocabulary, but it carries a significant linguistic nuance that every learner must master to avoid professional misunderstandings. At its core, the word is composed of two kanji: 退 (tai) meaning 'retreat' or 'leave,' and 社 (sha) meaning 'company.' Consequently, the literal translation is 'to leave the company.' However, in practical usage, this term serves a dual purpose that depends entirely on the context of the conversation. It can mean either leaving the office at the end of a typical workday or resigning from one's position permanently. Understanding which meaning is intended requires a keen ear for situational cues and the level of formality being employed.

Daily Departure: In most daily office interactions, especially when speaking to someone outside your company (soto), 'taisha suru' refers to the act of finishing work and going home. For example, if a client calls for your colleague who has already left, you would use this word to explain their absence.
Permanent Resignation: Conversely, in human resources contexts or when discussing career changes, 'taisha suru' signifies the end of an employment contract. It is synonymous with quitting or retiring from a specific firm.

佐藤は本日、午後６時に退社いたしました。(Sato left the office today at 6:00 PM.)

The frequency of this word in the Japanese corporate world cannot be overstated. It is the standard polite way to describe someone's departure from the workplace when talking to third parties. While you might use the simpler word kaeru (to return home) when talking to your family or close friends, taisha suru provides the professional polish required in the 'salaryman' culture. It signals that the person has completed their duties for the day and is no longer physically present at the place of business. This distinction is vital because Japanese work culture places high value on presence and availability.

彼は先月、個人的な理由で退社しました。(He left the company last month for personal reasons.)

In the context of career progression, 'taisha' is often paired with 'tenshoku' (changing jobs). It is a neutral term for leaving a company, unlike 'kaiko' (firing) or 'taishoku' (which is more specifically about retirement or the finality of the employment). Because of its dual meaning, Japanese speakers often add clarifying time markers. If someone says 'already taisha-shita' at 7 PM, it clearly means they went home for the day. If they say 'taisha-shita' regarding a period of months ago, it clearly means they no longer work there. This linguistic flexibility is a hallmark of the Japanese language's reliance on high-context communication, where the listener is expected to fill in the blanks based on the current situation.

Using 退社する effectively requires understanding Japanese verb conjugation and the levels of politeness (keigo). As a Suru-verb, it is highly versatile. In a professional setting, you will almost always use the polite form taisha shimasu or the humble form taisha itashimasu when referring to your own actions or the actions of those within your 'in-group' (your company) when speaking to an outsider. This is a fundamental aspect of Japanese business etiquette: lowering the status of your own group to show respect to the person you are speaking with.

The 'Already Left' Pattern: The most common way you will encounter this is in the past tense: 'Taisha itashimashita.' This is the standard response to a caller asking for an employee who has gone home. It is polite, concise, and professional.

申し訳ございません。担当の田中はすでに退社いたしました。(I am terribly sorry. Tanaka, the person in charge, has already left the office.)

When describing the act of quitting a job, the sentence structure often includes the reason or the timing. You might see it in a resume or hear it during an introduction. For example, 'Sannenkan tsutometa kaisha o taisha suru' (To leave a company I worked at for three years). Here, the particle を (o) marks the company as the object being left. This usage is more formal than the colloquial 'yameru' (to quit).

定刻通りに退社するために、効率よく仕事をこなします。(I will handle my work efficiently in order to leave the office on time.)

In written Japanese, such as emails or company announcements, 'taisha' is used to maintain a neutral tone. If a company is announcing that a high-level executive is leaving, they might use 'taisha' to avoid the potentially negative connotations of 'quitting.' It sounds more like a natural conclusion to a period of service. Furthermore, in the context of 'Work-Life Balance' (waaku raifu baransu) discussions, you will see phrases like 'hayame no taisha' (early departure from work) encouraged by management to prevent overwork. In these instances, the word serves as a formal label for the transition from work time to personal time.

Combining with Adverbs: Common adverbs include 'sude ni' (already), 'sorosoro' (soon/about to), and 'kyu ni' (suddenly). These add necessary detail to the timing of the departure.

今日は用事があるので、５時に退社させていただきます。(Since I have errands today, I will take the liberty of leaving the office at 5:00.)

The most frequent environment for hearing 退社する is over the telephone. In the world of Japanese business, phone etiquette is strictly codified. When a client or partner calls a company, the receptionist or a colleague will use 'taisha' to explain that the person sought is no longer in the building. This is often the first 'real-world' test for Japanese learners working in an office. Hearing the phrase 'Sato wa sude ni taisha itashimashita' is a signal that you should offer to take a message or suggest the caller try again the next business day.

The Reception Desk: If you visit a company late in the afternoon, the security guard or receptionist might inform you that the person you are meeting has already 'taisha-shita.' This indicates the business day has ended for that individual.

「山田さんはまだいらっしゃいますか？」「いえ、１０分前に退社されました。」("Is Mr. Yamada still here?" "No, he left the office 10 minutes ago.")

Another common place to hear this word is in 'Jikoshokai' (self-introductions) or during networking events. When someone is explaining their career history, they might say 'Mae no kaisha o kyonen taisha shimashite...' (I left my previous company last year...). In this context, it clearly means they resigned or their contract ended. It is a polite way to mention leaving a job without getting into the 'why' or 'how' immediately, maintaining a professional distance and decorum.

結婚を機に、彼女は寿退社することに決めた。(She decided to leave the company upon her marriage [Kotobuki-taisha].)

You will also encounter 'taisha' in company-wide emails regarding personnel changes (jinji ido). If an employee is leaving the firm, an email might be sent out stating 'Marumaru-san ga konkai taisha suru koto ni narimashita' (It has been decided that Mr./Ms. X will be leaving the company). This is the official, formal way to announce a resignation. Similarly, on television dramas or news reports about corporate scandals, you might hear about executives being forced to 'taisha' as a form of taking responsibility, though the word 'jishoku' (resignation from a post) is also common there. In daily life, if you use a shared office or co-working space, the staff might use 'taisha' to describe users checking out for the day, though 'taishitsu' (leaving the room) is more precise for physical space.

The most common mistake learners make with 退社する is confusing it with its homophones or near-synonyms that have different levels of finality. Because 'taisha' can mean both 'leaving for the day' and 'leaving for good,' learners often panic and use the wrong word to clarify, which can actually make things more confusing. For example, using 'kaeru' (to return) in a formal business call is too casual and sounds unprofessional. Conversely, using 'taishoku' (retirement/quitting) when you just mean someone went to get dinner is a major error that implies they have lost their job!

Confusion with 'Taishoku': 'Taishoku' (退職) specifically means resigning or retiring. It NEVER means 'leaving the office for the day.' If a client asks for your boss and you say 'Taishoku shimashita,' the client will think your boss has quit the company forever.

❌ 彼は５時に退職しました。(He retired at 5:00 - Incorrect if you mean he went home.)

Another mistake involves 'uchi/soto' (inside/outside) dynamics. When you are talking to a coworker about another coworker, you don't need to be as formal as 'taisha itashimashita.' In that case, 'kaerimashita' or 'agarimashita' is much more natural. 'Taisha' is a word designed for the 'soto' (outside) world or for formal documentation. Overusing it within your own team can make you sound stiff or distant.

❌ 彼は今、会議室を退社しました。(He just left the company from the meeting room - Incorrect. Use 退室.)

Finally, learners often forget the 'itashimashita' humble form when speaking to clients. Simply saying 'Tanaka wa taisha shimashita' is grammatically correct but slightly lacking in the expected level of business humility. In Japanese business culture, your colleagues are part of your 'group,' so you must use humble language for their actions when speaking to an outsider. Failing to do so doesn't just reflect poorly on you; it reflects poorly on your entire company's training and professionalism. Always remember: in the eyes of a customer, you and your colleagues are one entity.

To truly master 退社する, you must understand the spectrum of words that describe leaving a place or a job. Japanese has many specific terms that English often lumps together. Choosing the right one depends on whether the departure is temporary, daily, or permanent, and who you are talking to.

退職する (Taishoku suru): Unlike 'taisha,' this only means resigning or retiring. It is more formal and final. You use this when someone is permanently ending their employment.
帰宅する (Kitaku suru): This literally means 'to return home.' It focuses on the destination (home) rather than the act of leaving the office. It is commonly used in news reports or formal personal statements.
上がる (Agaru): This is a more casual or idiomatic way to say 'to finish up for the day.' It is very common among coworkers or in part-time job settings (baito). 'Sorosoro agarimasu' (I'm about to finish up).

今日は仕事が早く終わったので、定時に帰宅しました。(Work finished early today, so I went home at the scheduled time.)

Another important alternative is 失礼する (Shitsurei suru). While it means 'to be rude' literally, it is the standard way to announce your own departure. You wouldn't say 'I will taisha now' to your boss; instead, you say 'Osaki ni shitsurei shimasu.' This highlights the social aspect of leaving—you are acknowledging that others are still working while you are leaving. This cultural nuance is absent from the more technical 'taisha.'

彼は長年勤めた会社を退職し、起業した。(He retired from the company he served for many years and started his own business.)

Finally, consider 離席する (Riseki suru). This means 'to leave one's seat' or 'to be away from the desk.' If you are just going to the bathroom or a quick meeting, this is the correct term. Using 'taisha' would imply you aren't coming back today. Understanding these distinctions allows you to navigate the Japanese workplace with precision, ensuring that your colleagues and clients always have an accurate understanding of your availability and status.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The kanji 'Sha' (社) in 'Taisha' is the same one used in 'Jin-ja' (Shinto Shrine). This is because companies were historically viewed as communal social groups similar to shrine communities.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /taɪʃə sʊruː/

US /taɪʃə sʊruː/

Japanese is a pitch-accent language. In 'Taisha,' the pitch usually starts low and rises on 'i', then stays relatively flat through 'sha'.

Rhymes With

Kaisha (Company) Haisha (Dentist) Gai-sha (Foreign car) Jin-sha (Shrine - though pitch differs) Kansha (Gratitude) Sensha (Tank/Car wash) Densha (Train) Kinsha (Gold dust)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'tai' as 'tay' (it should be 'tie').
Stress-accenting the first syllable like English words.
Mispronouncing 'sha' as 'shay'.
Failing to pronounce the 'u' in 'suru' as a voiceless or shortened vowel.
Confusing the pitch with 'Taishoku'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

The kanji are common but require knowledge of the 'sha' and 'tai' readings which appear in many other words.

Writing 4/5

Writing 'tai' (退) correctly requires attention to the stroke order of the radical and the right-side component.

Speaking 3/5

Pronunciation is easy, but choosing the right level of politeness (keigo) is the real challenge.

Listening 2/5

Very easy to recognize in office settings as it's a standard phrase.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

会社 (Kaisha) 帰る (Kaeru) する (Suru) 時間 (Jikan) 仕事 (Shigoto)

Learn Next

退職 (Taishoku) 出社 (Shussha) 残業 (Zangyo) 有給休暇 (Yukyu kyuka) 転職 (Tenshoku)

Advanced

役員退職慰労金競業避止義務労働基準法自己都合退職

Grammar to Know

Suru-verbs

退社する、退社します、退社した、退社しない。

Humble Language (Kenjougo)

田中は退社いたしました (Tanaka [from my group] has left).

Honorific Language (Sonkeigo)

部長は退社されました (The manager has left).

Causative-Humble (Permission)

退社させていただきます (Please allow me to leave).

Noun + Suru

退社 (noun) + する (verb) = To leave work.

Examples by Level

５時に退社します。

I leave the office at 5.

Simple present tense polite form.

田中さんは退社しました。

Mr. Tanaka left the office.

Past tense polite form.

毎日、何時に退社しますか？

What time do you leave work every day?

Question form with 'nani-ji' (what time).

今日は早く退社したいです。

I want to leave work early today.

Desire form '-tai' added to 'suru' (shi-tai).

彼はもう退社しましたか？

Has he already left work?

Using 'mou' (already) with past tense.

６時に退社して、家へ帰ります。

I leave work at 6 and go home.

Te-form to connect two actions.

退社する時間は自由です。

The time to leave work is flexible.

The verb acts as a modifier for 'jikan' (time).

すみません、彼は退社しました。

Excuse me, he has left the office.

Standard polite apology prefix.

仕事が終わったら、すぐ退社します。

When work finishes, I leave the office immediately.

Using '-tara' (when/if) for conditional timing.

昨日は残業で、遅く退社しました。

Yesterday I left work late due to overtime.

Using 'de' to indicate the reason (overtime).

田中さんは、もう退社されたと思います。

I think Mr. Tanaka has already left.

Using 'to omoimasu' to express an opinion or belief.

退社する前に、電気を消してください。

Please turn off the lights before leaving the office.

Using 'mae ni' (before) with the dictionary form.

今日は用事があるので、４時に退社してもいいですか？

Since I have errands, may I leave at 4:00?

Asking permission with '-te mo ii desu ka'.

彼はいつも定時に退社します。

He always leaves work on time.

Using 'itsumo' (always) and 'teiji' (set time).

退社したあとで、飲みに行きましょう。

Let's go for a drink after leaving work.

Using 'ato de' (after) with the past tense.

窓を閉めてから、退社してください。

Please leave the office after closing the windows.

Using '-te kara' to indicate a sequence of actions.

担当の者は、ただいま退社いたしました。

The person in charge has just left the office.

Humble form 'itashimashita' for business etiquette.

彼は先月、一身上の都合で退社しました。

He left the company last month for personal reasons.

Context implies resignation rather than daily departure.

明日は早めに退社させていただきたいのですが。

I would like to take the liberty of leaving early tomorrow.

Causative-humble 'sase-te itadaku' for polite requests.

退社する際に、忘れ物がないか確認してください。

When leaving the office, please check that you haven't forgotten anything.

Using 'sai ni' (at the time of) for formal instructions.

彼女は寿退社することになりました。

It has been decided that she will leave the company to get married.

Specific cultural term 'kotobuki-taisha'.

急ぎの用件でしたが、彼はすでに退社した後でした。

It was an urgent matter, but he had already left for the day.

Using 'no ato deshita' to describe a completed state.

退社時間は、部署によって異なります。

The time people leave work varies by department.

Noun form 'taisha-jikan' as the subject.

効率的に働いて、定時退社を目指しましょう。

Let's work efficiently and aim to leave on time.

Using 'mezashimashou' (let's aim for).

弊社を退社された後の、彼の動向は分かりません。

I don't know his movements after he left our company.

Using 'heisha' (our company) and honorific 'sareru'.

退社する社員に、離職証明書を発行する。

Issue a certificate of resignation to the employee leaving the company.

Formal HR context; 'taisha' clearly means resigning.

働き方改革により、早めの退社が推奨されている。

Earlier departure from work is encouraged due to work-style reforms.

Using 'ni yori' (due to) and passive 'suisho sarete iru'.

彼は競合他社へ転職するために退社した。

He left the company to change jobs to a competitor.

Using 'tame ni' (in order to) with 'tenshoku' (job change).

退社のご挨拶に伺いました。

I have come to give my greetings upon leaving the company.

Formal humble expression for a final greeting.

多くの社員が、サービス残業でなかなか退社できない。

Many employees cannot easily leave work due to unpaid overtime.

Potential form 'taisha dekinai' (cannot leave).

退社時刻を記録するシステムが導入された。

A system to record the time of leaving work was introduced.

Technical context of 'taisha-jikoku' (exit time).

定年退社を迎える上司に、花束を贈った。

We gave a bouquet to the boss who is reaching mandatory retirement.

Combining 'teinen' (retirement age) with 'taisha'.

退社に際して、機密保持契約書に署名した。

Upon leaving the company, I signed a non-disclosure agreement.

Formal expression 'ni saishite' (on the occasion of).

彼は、経営陣との意見の相違から退社を余儀なくされた。

He was forced to leave the company due to a disagreement with management.

Grammar 'o yoginaku sareta' (was forced to).

一身上の都合により退社いたしたく、お願い申し上げます。

I humbly request to leave the company for personal reasons.

Very formal 'itashitaku,お願い申し上げます' pattern.

退社後の競業避止義務について、法的な確認が必要だ。

Legal confirmation is needed regarding the non-compete obligation after leaving.

Legal terminology 'kyogyo hishi gimu'.

彼女の電撃的な退社は、業界全体に衝撃を与えた。

Her sudden departure from the company shocked the entire industry.

Adjective 'dengekiteki' (lightning-fast/sudden).

退社が常態化しているブラック企業の実態を調査する。

Investigate the reality of 'black companies' where leaving [late] is normalized.

Describing social issues with 'jotai-ka' (normalization).

円満退社を望むなら、引き継ぎを完璧にするべきだ。

If you want a peaceful resignation, you should complete the handover perfectly.

Compound 'enman-taisha' (leaving on good terms).

退社後のキャリアパスを明確に描くことが重要です。

It is important to clearly map out your career path after leaving the company.

Abstract usage in career counseling.

不祥事の責任を取り、社長が引責退社することとなった。

Taking responsibility for the scandal, the president decided to resign.

Specific term 'in-seki taisha' (resigning to take responsibility).

終身雇用が崩壊し、退社と入社を繰り返す流動的な労働市場になった。

With the collapse of lifetime employment, the labor market became fluid with repeated departures and entries.

Socio-economic analysis context.

退社に伴う諸手続きを、オンラインで完結させる仕組みを構築する。

Build a mechanism to complete all procedures associated with leaving the company online.

Formal 'ni tomonau' (accompanying).

彼の退社は、組織の若返りを図るための戦略的な布石だった。

His departure was a strategic move aimed at rejuvenating the organization.

Metaphorical 'fuseki' (strategic move/stone in Go).

退社という選択が、彼にとっての自己実現への第一歩となった。

The choice of leaving the company became the first step toward self-actualization for him.

Philosophical usage in literature.

労働契約の終了、すなわち退社は、双方の合意に基づくべきである。

The termination of an employment contract—that is, leaving the company—should be based on mutual agreement.

Legal definition phrasing 'sunawachi' (namely/that is).

退社時の挨拶回りは、日本独自の企業文化の象徴とも言える。

The round of greetings upon leaving a company can be called a symbol of Japan's unique corporate culture.

Cultural analysis context.

彼は、自身の信念を貫くために、あえて退社という道を選んだ。

He dared to choose the path of leaving the company to stick to his beliefs.

Literary 'aete' (daringly/purposely).

Common Collocations

定時に退社する

一身上の都合で退社する

寿退社する

中途退社する

早期退社する

退社時間を守る

すでに退社している

退社を促す

円満に退社する

退社届を出す

Common Phrases

お先に退社します

— I'm leaving before you (formal version).

部長、お先に退社いたします。

退社のご挨拶

— Farewell greetings upon leaving a company.

退社のご挨拶に伺いました。

本日退社いたしました

— Has left for the day (standard phone response).

佐藤は本日退社いたしました。

定時退社日

— No-overtime day (designated day to leave on time).

水曜日は定時退社日です。

退社後の予定

— Plans after leaving work.

退社後の予定はありますか？

急ぎで退社する

— To leave work in a hurry.

急用ができて、急ぎで退社した。

無断で退社する

— To leave work without permission (AWOL).

無断で退社するのは社会人として失格だ。

退社を検討する

— To consider quitting the job.

将来のために退社を検討している。

退社を惜しむ

— To regret or be sad about someone's departure.

皆が彼の退社を惜しんでいる。

退社証明書

— Certificate of leaving a company.

転職先に退社証明書を提出する。

Often Confused With

退社する vs 退職

Taishoku only means quitting for good. Taisha can mean that OR just going home for the day.

退社する vs 退室

Taishitsu means leaving a specific room (like a meeting room), not the whole company building.

退社する vs 退場

Taijo means leaving a stage, arena, or venue (like a stadium).

Idioms & Expressions

"寿退社 (Kotobuki-taisha)"

— Leaving a job because of marriage (considered 'congratulatory').

彼女は寿退社して専業主婦になった。

Social/Traditional

"引責退社 (Inseki-taisha)"

— Resigning to take responsibility for a failure or scandal.

不祥事により、理事が引責退社した。

Formal/News

"定年退社 (Teinen-taisha)"

— Leaving a company upon reaching the mandatory retirement age.

父は昨年、無事に定年退社を迎えた。

General

"円満退社 (Enman-taisha)"

— Leaving a company on good terms with everyone.

円満退社は次のキャリアにもプラスになる。

Business

"中途退社 (Chuto-taisha)"

— Leaving a company before the end of a contract or retirement.

中途退社者の比率を調査する。

"勧奨退社 (Kansho-taisha)"

— Leaving a company at the suggestion/encouragement of the employer (often with incentives).

会社が勧奨退社を募集し始めた。

HR/Formal

"強制的退社 (Kyoseiteki-taisha)"

— Forced departure from a company.

彼は事実上の強制的退社となった。

Legal/News

"自主退社 (Jishu-taisha)"

— Leaving a company of one's own volition.

解雇ではなく、自主退社を選んだ。

Formal

"早期退社 (Soki-taisha)"

— Leaving the company earlier than planned (often referring to early retirement programs).

早期退社優遇制度が実施された。

Business

"一身上の都合による退社 (Isshinjo no tsugo ni yoru taisha)"

— Leaving for personal reasons (the standard polite phrase used in resignation letters).

退職願には「一身上の都合により退社」と書くのが一般的だ。

Very Formal

Easily Confused

退社する vs 帰宅 (Kitaku)

Both involve leaving work.

Kitaku focuses on arriving at home; Taisha focuses on leaving the office.

私は今、帰宅途中です。

退社する vs 離席 (Riseki)

Both involve being absent from a desk.

Riseki is temporary (bathroom, meeting); Taisha is for the day or forever.

彼は今、離席しております。

退社する vs 退館 (Taikan)

Both mean leaving a building.

Taikan is used for any building (library, gym); Taisha is specifically for your company.

２０時までに退館してください。

退社する vs 辞める (Yameru)

Both mean quitting.

Yameru is casual and general; Taisha is formal and specific to a company.

バイトを辞める。

退社する vs 上がる (Agaru)

Both mean finishing work.

Agaru is used for shifts (retail, restaurants) or casual talk; Taisha is for white-collar offices.

バイト、上がります！

Sentence Patterns

[Time]に退社します。

６時に退社します。

もう退社しましたか？

田中さんはもう退社しましたか？

[Name]は退社いたしました。

佐藤は退社いたしました。

一身上の都合で退社する。

一身上の都合で退社することにしました。

定時に退社できるよう〜する。

定時に退社できるよう、効率よく働きます。

〜を機に退社する。

結婚を機に退社しました。

退社に際して〜。

退社に際して、挨拶回りをしました。

〜の責任を取り退社する。

不祥事の責任を取り、引責退社した。

Word Family

Nouns

退社 (Leaving work/company)

退社時刻 (Exit time)

退社届 (Resignation notice)

Verbs

退社する (To leave work/company)

出社 (Arriving at work)

退職 (Resignation)

帰宅 (Returning home)

離職 (Leaving a job)

解雇 (Dismissal)

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely frequent in professional settings, daily occurrences.

Common Mistakes

Using 'taisha' to mean you're going to a meeting. → Use 'riseki' or 'gaishutsu'.
Taisha implies you are done with work for the day or leaving the company entirely.
Saying 'taisha shimasu' to your boss when leaving. → Say 'Osaki ni shitsurei shimasu'.
Using 'taisha shimasu' about yourself to a superior sounds like you're reporting a technical fact rather than being polite.
Confusing 'taisha' with 'taishoku' on a phone call. → Use 'taisha' for daily departure.
If you say 'taishoku' (retired), the client will think the person no longer works there at all.
Pronouncing 'taisha' with a long 'shaa'. → Pronounce it with a short 'sha'.
Long vowels change meanings in Japanese. Keep it crisp.
Using 'taisha' for school or hospital. → Use 'taigaku' (school) or 'taiin' (hospital).
'Sha' specifically refers to a company/office.

Tips

Leaving the Office

When you leave, always say 'Osaki ni shitsurei shimasu.' Your colleagues will reply 'Otsukaresama desu.' This is the golden rule of Japanese office life.

Handling Callers

If someone asks for a person who has gone home, use 'Sude ni taisha itashimashita.' It sounds very professional and polite.

Taisha vs Taishoku

Remember: Taishoku = Quit (Permanent). Taisha = Leave building OR Quit. Use Taishoku when you want to be 100% clear about quitting.

Kotobuki-taisha

While the term still exists, be careful using it as it can sometimes reflect dated gender expectations. Use it only when the person themselves uses it.

Suru-Verb Conjugation

Don't forget that it's a Suru-verb. Practice 'taisha shimasu', 'taisha shite', and 'taisha shinai' to be ready for any sentence.

Resignation Letters

In a formal 'Taishoku-negai' (resignation request), you often write 'Isshinjo no tsugo ni yoru taisha' as the reason.

Farewell Gifts

When someone is performing their final 'taisha' (quitting), it's common to give a small gift or flowers on their last day.

Remote Work

In the era of Slack and Zoom, you might see 'taikin' (退勤) used more often than 'taisha' for 'signing off' for the day.

Kanji Mastery

Learn the kanji 'Tai' (退) well; it appears in 'taikutsu' (boredom), 'taiin' (leaving hospital), and 'taigaku' (dropping out of school).

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'TAI' as 'TIE' (like a necktie). When you leave the company (SHA), you take off your necktie. TAI-SHA = Tie off, leave company.

Visual Association

Imagine a salaryman walking through a 'Torii' gate that looks like a company logo, moving away (retreating) from it at sunset.

Word Web

Office Home Resignation 5:00 PM Business Phone Politeness Salaryman Career

Challenge

Try to use 'taisha' in three different ways today: once for leaving your desk, once for leaving for the day, and once for discussing a career change.

Word Origin

Composed of Middle Chinese-derived kanji. 'Tai' (退) comes from the radical for 'motion' and a component meaning 'back/retreat.' 'Sha' (社) originally referred to a local god or a group gathered at a shrine, later evolving to mean 'society' or 'company.'

Original meaning: To retreat or withdraw from the company/society.

Sino-Japanese (Kango).

Cultural Context

Be careful when using 'taisha' about others; ensure you use the correct honorifics (sareru) or humble forms (itashimashita) to avoid sounding rude or overly casual about someone's employment status.

In English, we simply say 'I'm leaving' or 'He's gone home.' We rarely use a formal word like 'departing the firm' for a daily occurrence. 'Taisha' bridges this gap between daily action and formal status.

The movie 'Shall We Dance?' depicts the rigid 'taisha' routines of Japanese salarymen. The drama 'Watashi, Teiji de Kaerimasu' (I will leave on time) centers entirely on the protagonist's struggle to 'taisha' at 6 PM. News reports about 'Inseki-taisha' are common in Japanese media during corporate scandals.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Business Phone Call

申し訳ございません、田中は退社いたしました。
何時に退社されましたか？
退社後、連絡はつきますか？
明日の出社までお待ちください。

HR / Resignation

来月末で退社することになりました。
退社届の書き方を教えてください。
一身上の都合で退社します。
退社後の手続きについて。

Daily Office Life

今日は定時で退社します。
お先に退社させていただきます。
まだ退社しないでください。
退社前にゴミを捨てます。

Career Advice

円満退社が大切です。
退社する前に次の仕事を探す。
なぜ前の会社を退社したのですか？
退社理由を明確にする。

Work-Life Balance

早めの退社を心がける。
定時退社を促進する。
退社後の時間を大切にする。
退社が遅くなると健康に悪い。

Conversation Starters

"「今日は何時に退社する予定ですか？」 (What time do you plan to leave work today?)"

"「最近、定時で退社できていますか？」 (Have you been able to leave work on time lately?)"

"「田中さんが退社されると聞いて、驚きました。」 (I was surprised to hear that Mr. Tanaka is leaving the company.)"

"「退社した後に、どこかへ寄りますか？」 (Are you stopping anywhere after you leave work?)"

"「退社する前に、この書類を確認していただけますか？」 (Could you check this document before you leave work?)"

Journal Prompts

「今日の退社時間は何時でしたか？その理由も書いてください。」 (What time did you leave work today? Write the reason as well.)

「もし明日、自由に退社できるとしたら、何時に退社して何をしたいですか？」 (If you could leave work at any time tomorrow, what time would you leave and what would you do?)

「あなたが会社を退社（辞める）時に、一番大切にしたいことは何ですか？」 (When you leave [quit] a company, what is the thing you want to value most?)

「定時退社について、あなたの意見を日本語で書いてみましょう。」 (Write your opinion on leaving work on time in Japanese.)

「これまでの人生で、大きな『退社（離職）』の経験はありますか？」 (Have you ever had a major experience of 'leaving a company' in your life so far?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No. 'Taisha' implies you are leaving for the remainder of the day or permanently. For a quick trip, use 'chotto soto ni demasu' or 'riseki shimasu'.

Yes, significantly. 'Kaeru' is for friends and family. 'Taisha' is for professional reporting and formal contexts.

Look for time markers. '5 PM' = went home. 'Last week' or 'for personal reasons' = quit. If unsure, 'taishoku' is the safer word for quitting.

It's a bit stiff. For a part-time job (baito), 'agaru' or 'shigoto ga owaru' is much more natural.

It's a specific term for a woman leaving her job because she is getting married. 'Kotobuki' means 'congratulations/longevity'.

It's becoming less common for remote work. People often use 'gyomu o shuryo shimasu' (finishing work) or 'taikin' (clocking out) instead.

The opposite for leaving for the day is 'shussha' (arriving at the office). The opposite for resigning is 'nyusha' (joining the company).

Yes, when you mean you are quitting. If you just mean going home, usually you just say 'taisha shimasu' without the object.

It means resigning to take the blame for a mistake, scandal, or poor performance. 'Inseki' means 'taking responsibility'.

It's both. 'Taisha' is a noun (the act of leaving), and 'taisha suru' is the verb (to leave).