Laisser vs. Quitter: understanding the difference between two French verbs meaning "to leave," including usage rules and examples.
In French, both laisser and quitter can relate to the idea of "leaving," but they have different meanings and uses. Laisser means "to let," "to leave (something or someone)," or "to allow," while quitter means "to leave (a place or person)" or "to quit." Understanding the difference helps avoid confusion and use each verb correctly.
- Laisser = to leave (something/someone behind), to let, to allow
- Quitter = to leave (a person, place, or situation), to depart, to quit
- Laisser focuses on leaving an object or allowing something
- Quitter focuses on departing from someone or somewhere
Laisser means to leave something or someone behind, to let or allow something to happen, or to stop holding or keeping something. It can be used with objects, people, or abstract ideas (like time or responsibility).
- Example: Je laisse mes clés sur la table. (I leave my keys on the table.)
- Example: Laisse-moi tranquille ! (Leave me alone!)
- Example: Elle laisse partir son frère. (She lets her brother leave.)
Quitter means to leave or depart from a person, place, situation, or job. It implies a more active leaving or separation and can also mean "to break up" in a relationship context.
- Example: Je quitte la maison à 8h. (I leave the house at 8 a.m.)
- Example: Il a quitté son emploi. (He quit his job.)
- Example: Elle a quitté son petit ami. (She left her boyfriend.)
Él ___ su empleo.
How do you say "He left his job" in French?
Il a quitté son emploi
"Il a quitté son emploi" is correct. "Quitter" is used for leaving jobs. "Laissé" doesn't fit, and the others are grammatically incorrect.
- Object vs. source: Laisser usually has an object (something left behind), while quitter focuses on the source being left.
- Allow vs. depart: Laisser can mean "let/allow," whereas quitter always means "leave/depart."
- Neutral vs. intentional: Laisser is neutral (just leaving something), quitter implies a deliberate departure or separation.
| Aspect | Laisser | Quitter |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Leave something/someone behind, let/allow | Leave/depart from someone/place/situation, quit |
| Typical object | Thing or person left behind | Place, person, job, relationship left |
| Example | Je laisse mon sac ici. | Je quitte mon sac ici. (less common) |
| Nuance | Neutral, can mean "let" | Intentional departure or separation |
- Laisser partir quelqu’un = let someone go
- Quitter quelqu’un = leave someone (end relationship)
- Laisser un message = leave a message
- Quitter la pièce = leave the room
- Laisser un objet = leave an object behind
- Quitter un emploi = quit a job
- Don’t use laisser when you mean “leave a place” — use quitter instead.
- Don’t use quitter when you mean “leave something behind” or “let something be” — use laisser.
- Remember quitter is transitive: it requires an object (person, place, job).
Which sentence is correct?
Je quitte la maison.
You "quitte" a place (leave a house). You don't "laisse" a house; instead, you might "laisser" something in it.
Last updated: Thu Jun 12, 2025
