旅立(たびだ)つ

たびだつ
verb (godan)
to depart on a journey, to set out
1. to depart on a journey, to set out
To leave on a trip or journey. Carries a sense of embarking on something significant, not just a short outing.
明日(あした)、旅立(たびだ)つ。
I depart tomorrow.
新(あたら)しい生活(せいかつ)を求(もと)めて旅立(たびだ)った。
He set out in search of a new life.
若者(わかもの)たちは希望(きぼう)を胸(むね)に故郷(ふるさと)から旅立(たびだ)った。
The young people departed from their hometown with hope in their hearts.
2. to pass away, to depart this world
A euphemism for dying, likening death to setting out on a final journey.
祖父(そふ)は静(しず)かに旅立(たびだ)った。
My grandfather quietly passed away.
彼女(かのじょ)は家族(かぞく)に見守(みまも)られながら、安(やす)らかに旅立(たびだ)った。
She passed away peacefully, watched over by her family.
最期(さいご)は苦(くる)しまずに旅立(たびだ)てたと聞(き)いて、少(すこ)し安心(あんしん)した。
I was somewhat relieved to hear that he passed without suffering in the end.

TRANSITIVITY: 自動詞(じどうし) (intransitive). No transitive pair.

ASPECT: ている indicates a completed departure (resultative). 旅立(たびだ)っている = 'has departed.'

USAGE:
More literary and emotional than 出発(しゅっぱつ)する (to depart). Often implies a significant or life-changing journey, not just going on vacation. The euphemistic sense (sense 2) is commonly used in obituaries and condolence contexts.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 故郷(ふるさと)から旅立(たびだ)つ: to leave one's hometown
  • 新天地(しんてんち)へ旅立(たびだ)つ: to set out for a new land
  • 静(しず)かに旅立(たびだ)つ: to pass away quietly

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 出発(しゅっぱつ)する: to depart (neutral, practical)
  • 発(た)つ: to depart, to leave (general)
  • 旅立(たびだ)ち: departure on a journey (noun form)
general
Added 2026.2.23 8:36
12500/12951_tabidatsu