What does partir in French mean?

What is the meaning of the word partir in French? The article explains the full meaning, pronunciation along with bilingual examples and instructions on how to use partir in French.

The word partir in French means leave, go, leave, depart, start, go, disappear, go, go, pass away, start, begin, leave, go, go, decide on, from this day on, from this day forward, from, starting from, from, from, from that moment, from that moment on, from then on, thereafter, henceforth, from now on, from now onwards, from the moment you, the moment you, go downhill, go to the dogs, go down the drain, be at odds with, available from, make leave, get out, let go, let go, launch an attack on, attack, see where the wind takes you, go to the printer's, be sent to the printer's, go off to discover the world, go off to explore the world, go off to war, go to meet, seek out, leave in a hurry, start immediately, be easily riled, go skiing, set off at a trot, jump the gun, jump the gun, run off with the takings, take the money and run, start out the losing party, leave like a thief in the night, be well-intentioned, mean well, go off the road, spin off the road, be all over the place, be all over the place, start with the idea that, start from the idea that, take a long shot, start out with nothing, start from scratch, start from nothing, start with nothing, start off on the right foot, start off on the wrong foot, work on the assumption that, work on the basis that, spin out of control, leave in a hurry, leave in a rush, go tits-up, dash off, peter out, fizzle out, go off to reconnoitre, be off like a shot, take off like a shot, go up in smoke, go up in smoke, spin out of control, go on an assignment, go down the toilet, go down the pan, go pear-shaped, go on holiday, wander off, go on holiday, leave for your holiday, go on honeymoon, go on your honeymoon, spin out of control, spin out of control, start as favourite, leave fresh and joyful, go out feet first, start out the underdog, leave without further ado, leave without further ado, leave without paying, leave without looking back, Slow and steady wins the race, feel yourself losing consciousness, feel yourself slipping away. To learn more, please see the details below.

Listen to pronunciation

Meaning of the word partir

leave, go

verbe intransitif (s'en aller, sortir)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")
Il est tard, il faut que je parte.
It's late; I'm going to have to leave.

leave, depart

verbe intransitif (quitter un endroit) (bus, train)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")
Le bus part dans cinq minutes.
The bus leaves in five minutes.

start

verbe intransitif (démarrer)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")
J'ai tracé une ligne imaginaire qui part d'ici et qui va jusque-là.
I drew an imaginary line starting here and ending there.

go

verbe intransitif (prendre la direction de [qch])

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")
Le ballon est parti en pleine lucarne.
The ball went right into the top corner.

disappear

verbe intransitif (disparaître)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")
Cette tâche partira au lavage.
This stain will disappear in the wash.

go

verbe intransitif (se défaire)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")
L'attache de son dossier est partie.
The clip on his file has gone.

go

verbe intransitif (se mettre à fonctionner)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")
J'ai lancé la machine à laver mais elle ne veut pas partir.
I put the washing machine on, but it doesn't want to go.

pass away

verbe intransitif (figuré (mourir) (euphemism)

(phrasal verb, intransitive: Verb with adverb(s) or preposition(s), having special meaning and not taking direct object--for example, "make up" [=reconcile]: "After they fought, they made up.")
Ma grand-mère est partie l'année dernière.
My grandmother passed away last year.

start, begin

verbe intransitif (commencer)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")
Il est parti de rien dans l'entreprise.
He started from nothing in the company.

leave, go

verbe intransitif (quitter définitivement)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")
Il est parti au Brésil.
He left for Brazil.

go

verbe intransitif (être expédié)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")
Le courrier est parti ce matin.
The mail went this morning.

decide on

verbe transitif indirect (choisir, opter pour [qch])

Pour les vacances d'été, nous partons sur 3 semaines en Méditerranée. La candidate parisienne, elle, est partie sur un tartare de saumon.
The Parisian candidate went for a salmon tartare.

from this day on, from this day forward

locution adverbiale (dorénavant)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
À partir d'aujourd'hui, je ne m'occupe plus de ce dossier !

from

(dès + date, heure...)

(preposition: Relates noun or pronoun to another element of sentence--for example, "a picture of John," "She walked from my house to yours.")
Le mois prochain le magasin ouvrira à partir de 7 h. À partir du 1e juillet, nos tarifs changent. À partir de quand est-il possible de déclarer ses impôts ? À partir de cette date, la guerre a pris un autre tournant.
What is the earliest date you can make your income tax declaration?

starting from

(avec [qch] et plus)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Livraison gratuite à partir de 20 € d'achats. À partir de quel montant dois-je payer des impôts ?
Free delivery on orders of 20 euros and over.

from

(avec [qch] comme point de départ)

(preposition: Relates noun or pronoun to another element of sentence--for example, "a picture of John," "She walked from my house to yours.")
À partir du prototype, nous avons développé trois modèles.
We developed three models from the prototype.

from

(depuis + position)

(preposition: Relates noun or pronoun to another element of sentence--for example, "a picture of John," "She walked from my house to yours.")
À partir de ce point, vous êtes chez le voisin. À partir de cet appartement, vous avez un beau point de vue sur la baie.
From this point, you are on the neighbour's property. There is a lovely view across the bay from this apartment.

from that moment, from that moment on, from then on

locution adverbiale (après ce moment)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
À partir de ce moment-là, Martine n'a plus jamais été la même.

thereafter, henceforth

locution adverbiale (figuré (cela étant connu) (formal)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
À partir de ce moment-là, on peut révéler le but de l'opération.

from now on, from now onwards

locution adverbiale (dorénavant)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
À partir de maintenant, tout le monde doit porter son badge de façon visible.
From now on, everyone must wear their badge where it can be easily seen.

from the moment you, the moment you

locution conjonction (dès que, si)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
À partir du moment où l'on s'engage, il faut aller jusqu'au bout.

go downhill, go to the dogs, go down the drain

locution verbale (figuré (dériver, aller mal) (figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Ce projet est raté et va à vau-l'eau.
This project is a failure and is going to the dogs.

be at odds with

locution verbale (se disputer)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Ce matin encore Madame Martin a eu maille à partir avec sa voisine.

available from

locution adjectivale (prêt dès une date)

make leave

locution verbale (faire fuir [qqn])

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Le bruit des pétards fit partir les enfants.
The noise of the firecrackers made the children leave.

get out

locution verbale (figuré (enlever : une tache...)

(phrasal verb, transitive, separable: Verb with adverb(s) or preposition(s), having special meaning, divisible--for example, "call off" [=cancel], "call the game off," "call off the game.")
Même avec de l'eau de Javel, je n'ai pas réussi à faire partir la tache.
I couldn't get the stain out, even with bleach.

let go

locution verbale (emploi : ne pas retenir [qqn])

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

let go

locution verbale (ne pas lutter contre sa mort) (die: figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

launch an attack on

(armée : lancer une attaque)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Les fantassins sont partis à l'assaut de la forteresse.

attack

(figuré (s'attaquer fortement à un problème) (figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Le chef de projet est parti à l'assaut de ce problème avec 3 experts.

see where the wind takes you

locution verbale (aller à la découverte de [qch]) (figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Non, nous n'avons rien préparé pour notre voyage en Inde à part les billets d'avion car nous préférons partir à l'aventure.

go to the printer's, be sent to the printer's

locution verbale (être prêt à être imprimé)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

go off to discover the world, go off to explore the world

locution verbale (voyager)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Pour ses vingt ans, il partit à la découverte du monde.

go off to war

locution verbale (aller combattre l'ennemi)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

go to meet

locution verbale (aller au devant d'un invité)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Nous sommes partis à la rencontre de nos invités.

seek out

locution verbale (aller découvrir [qch])

(phrasal verb, transitive, separable: Verb with adverb(s) or preposition(s), having special meaning, divisible--for example, "call off" [=cancel], "call the game off," "call off the game.")
Cet explorateur est parti à la rencontre d'un tribu de la jungle amazonienne.

leave in a hurry

locution verbale (partir très rapidement)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

start immediately

locution verbale (objet : démarrer rapidement) (automotive)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Après réparation, le moteur est parti au quart de tour.

be easily riled

locution verbale (figuré (personne : s'emporter facilement) (person)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Tu peux le lancer sur n'importe quel sujet, mon frère part toujours au quart de tour.

go skiing

locution verbale (aller en vacances faire du ski)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Chaque année, nous partons au ski en hiver et à la plage en été.

set off at a trot

locution verbale (figuré (filer vite)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Elle partit au trot de la réunion après cet appel.

jump the gun

locution verbale (figuré (débuter [qch] trop tôt) (figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Si ces soldats partent avant le signal, cela créera un incident diplomatique.

jump the gun

locution verbale (sports : partir trop tôt) (Sports)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

run off with the takings, take the money and run

locution verbale (péjoratif (disparaître avec l'argent gagné) (informal)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

start out the losing party

locution verbale (croire ne pas pouvoir gagner)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

leave like a thief in the night

locution verbale (péjoratif (s'éclipser trop discrètement)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Je t'ai cherché hier soir à la fête. Pourquoi est-ce que tu es parti comme un voleur avant la fin ?

be well-intentioned

(avoir l'intention de bien faire)

Son invitation part d'un bon sentiment même si je ne le partage pas.

mean well

locution verbale (agir sans intention de nuire)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
He screwed up but he meant well.

go off the road, spin off the road

locution verbale (sortir de la route)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

be all over the place

locution verbale (ne pas suivre de logique) (figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

be all over the place

locution verbale (figuré (manquer de cadrage) (figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

start with the idea that, start from the idea that

locution conjonction (considérer que)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

take a long shot

locution verbale (avoir beaucoup de retard à rattraper)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")

start out with nothing

locution verbale (commencer sans apport)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

start from scratch

locution verbale (commencer sans apport)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

start from nothing, start with nothing

locution verbale (commencer sans s'y connaître)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

start off on the right foot

locution verbale (figuré (bien débuter, entamer [qch]) (figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

start off on the wrong foot

locution verbale (figuré (mal débuter, entamer [qch]) (figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

work on the assumption that, work on the basis that

locution verbale (sous-entendre que)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Si tu pars du principe qu'il est meilleur que toi, tu n'arriveras pas à le battre.

spin out of control

locution verbale (familier (mal se dérouler)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
La fête se passait à merveille jusqu'à ce que les potes tarés de mon frère débarquent et là, tout est parti en cacahouète.

leave in a hurry, leave in a rush

locution verbale (partir rapidement de façon imprévue)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Je suis parti en catastrophe quand l'école m'a téléphoné.

go tits-up

locution verbale (vulgaire (mal se dérouler) (UK, vulgar, slang)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

dash off

locution verbale (partir précipitamment)

peter out, fizzle out

locution verbale (familier (mal se dérouler)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")

go off to reconnoitre

locution verbale (partir en reconnaissance)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Le sergent partit en éclaireur devant la troupe.

be off like a shot, take off like a shot

locution verbale (partir très vite)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Les sprinteurs partirent en flèche au coup de feu.

go up in smoke

locution verbale (être entièrement consumé)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

go up in smoke

locution verbale (figuré (disparaître) (figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

spin out of control

locution verbale (anglicisme, familier (devenir incontrôlable) (figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

go on an assignment

locution verbale (voyager pour le travail)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Il part en mission au moins une fois par mois.

go down the toilet, go down the pan

locution verbale (familier (mal se dérouler) (figurative, informal)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

go pear-shaped

locution verbale (familier (mal se dérouler) (figurative, informal)

go on holiday

locution verbale (aller en villégiature) (UK)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Cet été, nous partirons en vacances en Bretagne.

wander off

locution verbale (aller se promener)

Les enfants partent en vadrouille dans les champs.

go on holiday, leave for your holiday

locution verbale (aller en vacances) (UK)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Nous partirons en voyage dès la fin de l'année scolaire.

go on honeymoon, go on your honeymoon

locution verbale (voyager pour fêter son mariage) (married couple)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Les jeunes mariés partiront en voyage de noces le soir du mariage.

spin out of control

locution verbale (personne : délirer, en faire trop)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Après un verre d'alcool, il part déjà en vrille.

spin out of control

locution verbale (chose : ne pas suivre le cours prévu)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Cette partie part en vrille, je ne gagnerai encore pas.

start as favourite

locution verbale (être vu comme le futur gagnant) (UK)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

leave fresh and joyful

locution verbale (figuré (être exagérément optimiste)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

go out feet first

locution verbale (être mort) (informal)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

start out the underdog

locution verbale (s'attendre à perdre)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")

leave without further ado

locution verbale (partir rapidement, sans insister)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Nous étions tellement contents d'avoir gagné le gros lot que nous partîmes le récupérer sans attendre notre reste.

leave without further ado

locution verbale (partir rapidement, sans insister)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Ce repas était minable, nous partîmes sans demander notre reste.

leave without paying

locution verbale (s'enfuir sans avoir payé)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

leave without looking back

locution verbale (figuré (partir sans regret)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Slow and steady wins the race

(la précipitation est inappropriée)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

feel yourself losing consciousness

(être sur le point de s'évanouir)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

feel yourself slipping away

(être sur le point de mourir)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Let's learn French

So now that you know more about the meaning of partir in French, you can learn how to use them through selected examples and how to read them. And remember to learn the related words that we suggest. Our website is constantly updating with new words and new examples so you can look up the meanings of other words you don't know in French.

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French (le français) is a Romance language. Like Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish, it comes from popular Latin, once used in the Roman Empire. A French-speaking person or country can be called a "Francophone". French is the official language in 29 countries. French is the fourth most spoken native language in the European Union. French ranks third in the EU, after English and German, and is the second most widely taught language after English. The majority of the world's French-speaking population lives in Africa, with about 141 million Africans from 34 countries and territories who can speak French as a first or second language. French is the second most widely spoken language in Canada, after English, and both are official languages at the federal level. It is the first language of 9.5 million people or 29% and the second language of 2.07 million people or 6% of the entire population of Canada. In contrast to other continents, French has no popularity in Asia. Currently, no country in Asia recognizes French as an official language.