Sortir and partir can be both used for -to leave a place. In this post, you will learn the differences between these two verbs and some tips to use them in a right context.
Sortir
Sortir means to leave/exit from a place (a room or a building). It's followed by the preposition de.
For example:
- Les étudiants sortent de la salle de classe. (The students leave the classroom)
Sortir means to go out, as with friends or on a date. It's usually followed by the preposition avec.
For example:
- Je sors avec mes amis ce soir. (I'm going out with my friends tonight)
Partir
Partir means -to leave in general sense/-to go away and can be used with no preposition/place.
- Je pars. (I'm leaving.)
- Nous partons demain. (We are leaving tomorrow)
Partir is used to express leaving for a large place such as a city, region or country. It's usually followed by the preposition pour.
- Quand est-ce que tu pars pour le Canada? (When are you leaving for Canada?
- Mes parents partent pour New York la semaine prochaine. (My parents are leaving for New York next week)
Here are the conjugations of these two irregular -ir verbs.
SORTIR |
PARTIR |
Je sors (I leave) | Je pars (I leave) |
Tu sors (You- singular- leave) |
Tu pars (You- singular- leave) |
Il/elle/on sort (He,she, one leaves) | Il/elle/on part (He, she, one leaves) |
Nous sortons (We leave) | Nous partons (We leave) |
Vous sortez (You-plural/formal- leave) | Vous partez (You plural/formal- leave) |
Ils/elles sortent (They leave) | Ils/elles partent (They leave) |
Let's practice!
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb sortir or partir.
1) Anne adore ____ avec ses copains le week-end.
2) Je ___ pour le concert à neuf heures.
3) Est-ce que vous ____ pour la France cet automne?
4) Mes parents et moi _____ de chez nous.
5) Quand est-ce que tu ___ pour Montréal?
Check your answers
1) sortir
2) pars
3) partez
4) sortons
5) pars