Polite Ways to Say You're Leaving a Job / Resigning — Japanese Business Phrases

When telling a boss or a client that you are “quitting your job,” many people hesitate over whether it's okay to simply say 「辞めます」 (yamemasu, “I'm quitting”). The word 「辞める」 (yameru) gets the meaning across, but it sounds somewhat casual in a business setting, so it helps to know polite alternatives suited to the person and the situation. This article clearly explains polite rephrasings and honorific (keigo) expressions for 「辞める」, along with example sentences by scene—for your boss, external parties, email, and more.

Is it okay to use 「辞める」 (yameru) as-is in business?

The word 「辞める」 (yameru) itself is not rude, but in formal business situations it sounds a little casual. Especially when offering your resignation to a superior, contacting people outside the company, or writing formally, it's common to rephrase it as a more polite expression such as 「退職する」 (taishoku suru, “to resign”) or 「退く」 (shirizoku, “to step down”). Whether spoken or written, choosing your words to match your relationship with the other person and the formality of the situation lets you keep a good impression right to the end.

A list of polite alternatives to 「辞める」 (yameru)

The following are representative ways to rephrase 「辞める」 politely. Use them according to the situation.

• 退職する (taishoku suru): “To resign.” The most common, basic expression, usable in both writing and speech.
• 退職いたします (taishoku itashimasu): An even more polite, humble form of “taishoku suru.” Ideal for offering or reporting your resignation.
• 退く (shirizoku): A somewhat formal expression meaning to step away from a post or duties.
• お暇をいただく (oitoma o itadaku): A polite, soft, euphemistic way of saying “to let oneself resign.”
• 身を引く (mi o hiku): A humble expression for withdrawing from a role or position.
• 職を辞す (shoku o jisu): A stiffer expression synonymous with “jishoku suru” (resigning a post). Used for officers stepping down, etc.

When in doubt, choosing 「退職する」 (taishoku suru) or 「退職いたします」 (taishoku itashimasu) will keep you from being impolite in almost any situation.

Polite keigo expressions using 「退職」 (taishoku)

In actual offers and emails, you combine 「退職」 (taishoku) with humble and polite forms. It's handy to memorize the representative patterns.

When offering your own resignation

• 退職させていただきたく、ご相談に伺いました。 (Taishoku sasete itadakitaku, go-sodan ni ukagaimashita.) — “I have come to consult with you, as I would like to resign.”
• このたび、一身上の都合により退職いたしたく存じます。 (Kono tabi, isshinjo no tsugo ni yori taishoku itashitaku zonjimasu.) — “I humbly wish to resign due to personal circumstances.”
• ◯月末をもちまして退職させていただきたく、お願い申し上げます。 (◯-gatsu-matsu o mochimashite taishoku sasete itadakitaku, o-negai moshiagemasu.) — “I would like to ask your permission to resign as of the end of [month].”

When announcing that your resignation has been decided

• このたび、◯月末日をもって退職する運びとなりました。 (Kono tabi, ◯-gatsu-matsujitsu o motte taishoku suru hakobi to narimashita.) — “It has been arranged that I will resign as of the last day of [month].”
• 勝手ながら、◯月末日をもちまして退職することとなりました。 (Katte nagara, ◯-gatsu-matsujitsu o mochimashite taishoku suru koto to narimashita.) — “Please forgive the abruptness, but I will be resigning as of the last day of [month].”

「させていただく」 (sasete itadaku) is a humble expression carrying the nuance of doing something with the other party's permission; it fits a resignation offer well, but overusing it becomes roundabout, so aim for once per sentence.

[By scene] Polite ways to convey 「辞める」 — example sentences

The best phrasing changes depending on the person and the medium. Here are example sentences by scene.

Telling your boss verbally

Start by framing it as a consultation, then convey your intention to resign politely, as in: 「お忙しいところ恐れ入ります。ご相談したいことがあり、お時間をいただけますでしょうか。実は、一身上の都合により、◯月末をもって退職させていただきたく考えております。」 (“I'm sorry to bother you when you're busy. There's something I'd like to discuss—could you spare me some time? The truth is, for personal reasons, I am thinking of resigning as of the end of [month].”) An article explaining how to bring up and time your resignation is also a helpful reference.

Conveying it in an internal email

Convey the fact of your resignation and your gratitude concisely, as in: 「このたび、一身上の都合により、◯月末日をもって退職することとなりました。在職中は大変お世話になり、心より感謝申し上げます。」 (“I will be resigning as of the last day of [month] due to personal circumstances. Thank you sincerely for all your support during my time here.”) Detailed guidance on writing resignation emails and examples by recipient are covered in an article collecting resignation-email templates.

Conveying it to clients / external parties

Along with notifying them of your resignation, it's good manners to add an introduction of your successor and your gratitude, as in: 「私事で恐縮ですが、◯月末日をもちまして退職することとなりました。後任は△△が務めさせていただきます。在職中は格別のご厚情を賜り、誠にありがとうございました。」 (“This is a personal matter, but I will be resigning as of the last day of [month]. My successor, △△, will take over. Thank you truly for your exceptional kindness during my tenure.”)

Talking about leaving your previous job in an interview

In a job-change interview, phrase it neutrally, as in 「前職を退職し」 (zenshoku o taishoku shi, “having resigned from my previous job”) or 「前職を離れ」 (zenshoku o hanare, “having left my previous job”). 「退職しました」 (taishoku shimashita) gives a calmer impression than 「辞めました」 (yamemashita). For how to convey your reason for leaving positively, see also an article on how to explain your reason for resigning.

Points for choosing words when conveying 「辞める」

• For formal offers and written documents, base your wording on 「退職する」 (taishoku suru) / 「退職いたします」 (taishoku itashimasu).
• Soften 「辞めたい」 (yametai, “I want to quit”) to 「退職を考えております」 (“I am considering resigning”).
• Don't state negative reasons; sum them up as 「一身上の都合」 (isshinjo no tsugo, “personal circumstances”).
• Always add words of gratitude to keep a good impression to the very end.
• Avoid overusing 「させていただく」 (sasete itadaku); aim for once per sentence.

Frequently asked questions about rephrasing 「辞める」

Q. How do 「辞める」 (yameru) and 「退職する」 (taishoku suru) differ?

The meanings are nearly the same, but 「退職する」 gives a more formal impression and suits official business situations. 「辞める」 is often used in everyday conversation, but for offers to a superior or in writing, 「退職する」 is the safe choice.

Q. Is 「退職させていただきます」 (taishoku sasete itadakimasu) correct keigo?

Yes, it is correct keigo. 「させていただく」 is a humble expression with the nuance of acting with the other party's permission, and it fits a resignation offer. That said, using it many times in a single email or conversation becomes roundabout, so the knack is to use it at key points.

Q. In what situations do you use 「お暇をいただく」 (oitoma o itadaku)?

Use it when you want to convey 「退職する」 euphemistically and softly. Because it's a somewhat old-fashioned, polite expression, using it in a verbal greeting to a senior person or in a formal document gives a refined impression. For everyday communication, 「退職する」 is sufficient.

Summary: Resign gracefully with polite phrasing that fits the situation

When conveying “quitting your job” in business, it's polite to base your wording on 「退職する」 (taishoku suru) / 「退職いたします」 (taishoku itashimasu) and use 「退く」 (shirizoku) or 「お暇をいただく」 (oitoma o itadaku) as the situation calls for. Choose your words to match the person and the medium—an offer to your boss, a message inside or outside the company, an interview—sum up negative reasons as 「一身上の都合」 (personal circumstances), and always add gratitude. Being mindful of polite wording all the way to the end leads to an amicable resignation.