French has three verbs for English “leave”. This is the one for objects.
English “leave” splits three ways in French. Laisser means to leave something behind: « j’ai laissé mes clés à la maison ». Partir means to leave in the sense of departing: « je pars à huit heures ». Quitter means to leave a place or a person, and it needs an object: « je quitte Paris ».
The test is simple. If something stays behind, use laisser. If you are the one going, use partir. If you name what you are leaving, use quitter.
💡 Focus at this level: Basics — laisser, partir or quitter?
1. Object stays behind = laisser.
2. You depart = partir. No object needed.
3. You leave a named place or person = quitter.
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