辞める

• Reading: やめる
• Romaji: yameru
• Kanji breakdown: 辞 (ji/ya) — resign, word, term
• Pronunciation: /ja.me.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To quit; to resign; to retire from a position or job.

A Group 2 (ichidan) transitive verb. Specifically used for leaving a job, position, or organization. Different from やめる written as 止める (to stop an action). Common patterns include 会社を辞める (to quit a company) and 仕事を辞める (to quit a job). Often used with ことにした to express a firm decision.

Examples

1. 来月で今の会社を辞めることにした。 I've decided to quit my current company next month.
2. 健康上の理由で仕事を辞めた。 I quit my job for health reasons.
3. 部長は来年辞めるらしい。 Apparently the department head is resigning next year.

Usage Guide

Context: workplace, career, daily life

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

The kanji 辞 combines 舌 (tongue) and 辛 (hard/bitter), originally meaning to speak words of farewell or departure. Extended to mean formally taking leave of a position.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: Adults

Social background: Universal