출발하다 vs 떠나다
Korean word comparison
Listen to 출발하다
Listen to 떠나다
| 출발하다 | 떠나다 |
|---|---|
CHUL-bal-ha-da verb | tteonada verb |
| to depart; to set off from a place | to leave; to depart |
How they differ
떠나다 is broader than 출발하다. It can mean leaving a place, person, or situation, not just setting off on a trip or journey. 출발하다 focuses more specifically on the act of starting a trip or moving off from a starting point.
When to use each
When to use 출발하다: Use 출발하다 when you want to emphasize the start of a trip, flight, bus ride, race, or other movement from a departure point.
When to use 떠나다: Use 떠나다 when the main idea is simply leaving somewhere or departing from a place, even if it is not a formal trip.
Side-by-side examples
- 기차가 서울역에서 출발하다.
(The train departs from Seoul Station.) - 그는 고향을 떠났다.
(He left his hometown.)
Register & nuance: 떠나다 is very common and natural in everyday Korean, while 출발하다 is more situation-specific and often used for transportation or scheduled departures.
- See the full Word of the Day entry for 출발하다
- See the Word of the Day entry for 떠나다
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