Lahkumine

Lahkumine is an Estonian noun meaning the act of leaving or parting from a person, place, or situation. It is derived from the verb lahkuma, to depart. The term encompasses a range of meanings, from a temporary departure to a permanent withdrawal and includes both physical relocation and social or relational disengagement. It can also denote resignation or stepping down from a position in formal contexts.

In everyday use, lahkumine is applied to many kinds of changes: someone leaving a city or country, ending a relationship, leaving a group or organization, or resigning from a job. The expression can carry different degrees of formality depending on the context; more specific terms exist for particular cases, such as lahutus (divorce) or lahkumine töölt for leaving work. The word is common in media, education, and personal discourse when describing transitions and their consequences.

Practical and emotional aspects often accompany lahkumine: planning arrangements, notifying relevant people, and adjusting to new circumstances. In social sciences, lahkumine is studied under topics like relocation, relationship dissolution, and organizational change.