Translation guide
Expressing the idea of entrusting or leaving something to someone else, often implying reliance on others or delegation.
To leave a matter, task, or decision in someone else's hands, often with a sense of reliance.
The most common and versatile way to say 'leave it to someone'. Can be used for tasks, decisions, or responsibilities.
この仕事は彼に任せます。
I'll leave this job to him.
細かいことはあなたに任せるよ。
I'll leave the details to you.
Polite form of 任せる, often used in service contexts to mean 'I'll leave it to you' (e.g., at a restaurant).
料理はシェフにお任せします。
I'll leave the cooking to the chef.
More formal and literary than 任せる. Implies entrusting something important, like one's fate or a major decision.
運命を神に委ねる。
To leave one's fate to God.
To leave a situation or object untouched, allowing it to remain in its current state, often implying neglect or deliberate non-interference.
Literally 'leave as is'. Used for physical objects or situations you choose not to change.
窓はそのままにしておいてください。
Please leave the window as it is.
問題をそのままにしてはいけない。
You shouldn't leave the problem unresolved.
To leave something alone, often with a nuance of neglect or ignoring. Can be used for people or things.
Formal term for leaving something unattended or neglected, often used in warnings or official contexts.
危険物を放置しないでください。
Do not leave hazardous materials unattended.
To depart from a location or abandon someone, often with a sense of finality.
To leave something or someone behind, often intentionally. Can be used for objects, people, or memories.
家族を故郷に残して東京に行った。
I left my family behind in my hometown and went to Tokyo.
To abandon or leave someone behind, often with a negative connotation of desertion.
彼は仲間を置き去りにして逃げた。
He abandoned his comrades and fled.
任せる is the everyday word for entrusting tasks or decisions. 委ねる is more formal and often used for abstract concepts like fate, authority, or one's heart. In casual conversation, stick to 任せる.
この件は君に任せるよ。
I'll leave this matter to you.
全てを運命に委ねた。
I left everything to fate.
English 'leave' has many meanings. Do not use 去る (saru) or 出る (deru) for 'leaving a task to someone'. Use 任せる instead. For 'leave as is', use そのままにする, not 去る.
Leave him alone.