In French, there are three verbs that can indeed all be translated as “to leave a place” in English. These are the French verbs partir, sortir, quitter.
Each of these verbs can undoubtedly mean “to leave”. However, each has its own usage and nuances, so watch out. They are not equally interchangeable.
PARTIR – TO LEAVE – PRESENT TENSE
Partir is generally used to express leaving a place or departing. As a result, it’s often used when referring to traveling or going away.
Je pars à 8h. – I am leaving at 8:00.
Nous partons en vacances. – We are going on vacation.
PARTIR DE – TO LEAVE (FROM) A PLACE – PRESENT
The preposition “de” is required after “partir” when leaving a specific place.
Je pars du bureau à 8h. – I am leaving (from) the office at 8:00.
Nous partons de l’hôtel. – We are leaving (from) the hotel.
PARTIR (DE) – TO LEAVE (FROM) – PASSÉ COMPOSÉ
“Partir” is conjugated with être as a helping verb and is then followed by the past participle “parti” in the passé composé. Agreement must unquestionably be made between the subject and the past participle. “Partir” is an intransitive verb, therefore it does not take a direct object.
Je pars à 8h. – I am leaving at 8:00. –
Je suis parti(e) à 8h. – I left at 8:00.
Nous partons en vacances. – We are going on vacation.
Nous sommes parti(e)(s) en vacances. – We left (went) on vacation.
Je pars du bureau à 8h. – I’m leaving the office at 8:00.
Je suis parti(e) du bureau à 8h. – I left the office at 8:00.
Nous partons de l’hôtel. We are leaving the hotel.
Nous sommes parti(e)(s) de l’hôtel. We left the hotel.
SORTIR (DE) – TO GO OUT – PRESENT TENSE
Sortir can also mean “to leave,” but it often implies going out or exiting a place. The preposition “de” is required after “sortir” when it means you’re leaving (exiting) a place. “De” is not required when “sortir” a place is not mentioned.
Elle sort du lit. – She is getting out of bed.
Tu sors? – Are you leaving / going out?
SORTIR (DE) – TO GO OUT – PASSÉ COMPOSÉ
Like partir, sortir equally uses être as a helping verb in the passé composé when it means “to leave.” Subsequently, agreement must be made in this context, because “sortir” is an intransitive verb (no direct object).
Elle sort du lit. – She is getting out of bed.
Elle est sortie du lit. – She got out of bed.
Tu sors? – Are you leaving / going out?
Tu es sorti(e)? – Did you leave / go out?
Ils sortent ce soir? – Are they going out tonight?
Ils sont sortis hier soir? – Did they go out last night?
QUITTER – TO LEAVE – PRESENT TENSE
Quitter is used when someone leaves a person or thing, indicating separation (temporary or permanent). That person or thing is a direct object, therefore making “quitter” a transitive verb.
Je quitte la maison. – I am leaving the house.
Elle quitte son mari. – She is leaving her husband.
QUITTER – TO LEAVE – PASSÉ COMPOSÉ
“Quitter” uses avoir as a helping verb in the passé composé because it takes a direct object and does not require a preposition. This is specifically what makes “quitter” a transitive verb. Therefore, no agreement needs to be made between the subject and past participle.
Je quitte la maison. – I am leaving the house.
J’ai quitté la maison. – I left the house.
Elle quitte son mari. – She is leaving her husband.
Elle a quitté son mari. – She left her husband.
Tu quittes ton travail? – You’re quitting / leaving your job?
Tu as quitté ton travail? – You quit / left your job?
French Verbs Partir Sortir Quitter Lesson Guide
