partir
verbCEFR B2High frequency
What does “partir” mean in English?
to depart, to set off
to depart, to set off (to begin a journey or mission; partir hacia / rumbo a)
Example sentences
El convoy humanitario partió al amanecer hacia las zonas afectadas por el seísmo.
The humanitarian convoy set off at dawn towards the areas affected by the earthquake.
Los exploradores partirán el próximo mes en una expedición científica al Ártico.
The explorers will set off next month on a scientific expedition to the Arctic.
Partimos de Madrid a las seis de la mañana para evitar el tráfico de la hora punta.
We set off from Madrid at six in the morning to avoid rush-hour traffic.
How to use it
Partir in the sense of 'to depart' or 'to set off' is a slightly elevated register alternative to salir. It typically implies a journey, mission, or expedition: partir hacia, partir rumbo a, partir en dirección a. It is intransitive in this sense. The preposition is hacia or a (not *de unless specifying departure point: partir de Madrid).
Common mistake
Partir in this sense is more formal or literary than salir. Don't confuse with partir = to split/break (partir el pan = break the bread). The departure sense is always intransitive. Partir de (depart from) vs. partir hacia (depart towards) — both are correct and common.