Translation guide
The English word "out" has many meanings and uses. This guide covers the most common ones for learners, organized by practical meaning.
Expressing that someone or something is not inside a place, or is absent.
The most common word for 'outside' or 'out' as a location.
彼は外にいます。
He is outside.
外は寒いです。
It's cold out.
Used when someone is 'out' meaning they have gone somewhere and are not at home or the office.
田中さんは今出かけています。
Mr. Tanaka is out right now.
Means 'not at home' or 'absent'. Often used in set phrases like 留守にする (to be away from home).
彼は留守です。
He is not home.
Describing the action of going out or moving from inside to outside.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to go out', 'to leave', 'to exit'. Used for people or things moving out.
Transitive verb meaning 'to take out', 'to put out', 'to send out'. Used when someone moves something out.
ゴミを出す
to take out the trash
A more formal verb meaning 'to go out' (from home or office).
今日は外出しません。
I won't go out today.
Something that was hidden or secret is now known or available.
Means 'to become clear', 'to come to light'. Used for truths or facts being revealed.
真実が明らかになった。
The truth came out.
Means 'to be announced publicly', 'to be released'. Often used for official information.
新しいiPhoneが公表された。
The new iPhone is out.
Can also mean 'to be published' or 'to appear' (e.g., a book, a movie).
新しい本が出た。
A new book came out.
Something is not working, not lit, or has stopped.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to go out' (fire, light) or 'to disappear'.
Means 'out of order' for machines or equipment.
エレベーターは故障中です。
The elevator is out of order.
Can mean 'to run out' (supplies) or 'to expire'.
Something or someone is not included, not permitted, or eliminated.
A common way to say something is not allowed or is out of the question.
タバコはだめです。
Smoking is out.
Noun meaning 'exclusion'. Often used in formal contexts.
彼は候補から除外された。
He was ruled out as a candidate.
Loanword from English, used in sports (baseball) or games to mean 'out'.
彼はアウトになった。
He was out.
Someone is not conscious or is deeply asleep.
Means 'to lose consciousness', 'to pass out'.
彼は気を失った。
He passed out.
Means 'to be sound asleep'. Used when someone is 'out' meaning deeply sleeping.
彼はぐっすり眠っている。
He is out cold.
Something is no longer fashionable or is currently trendy.
Means 'out of fashion', 'outdated'.
その服は流行遅れだ。
Those clothes are out of style.
Verb meaning 'to go out of fashion', 'to become obsolete'.
Expressing strong intention or determination to do something.
Pattern meaning 'to try to do', 'to be about to do'. Can convey 'to be out to do something'.
彼は世界記録を破ろうとしている。
He is out to break the world record.
Expresses intention or plan. 'I'm out to...' can be translated with this.
私は勝つつもりだ。
I'm out to win.
English uses 'out' in many phrasal verbs and idioms that don't directly correspond to Japanese words for 'outside' or 'exit'. Always consider the meaning first.
彼は問題を解決した。
He figured it out.
よく調べてください。
Check it out.
出る (でる) is intransitive (something goes out by itself). 出す (だす) is transitive (someone puts something out).
手紙を出す
to send a letter
The battery ran out.
そのゲームは廃れた。
That game went out of fashion.