Translation guide
The act of giving up, leaving behind, or deserting something or someone. Japanese expresses this through various verbs and nouns depending on what is being abandoned and the nuance (physical leaving, emotional desertion, giving up on a plan, etc.).
To stop trying to do something, to abandon a project, plan, or hope.
The most common verb for giving up on something, such as a dream, goal, or attempt. Implies a conscious decision to stop pursuing.
夢を諦めた。
I gave up on my dream.
彼は計画を諦めるしかなかった。
He had no choice but to abandon the plan.
A more formal or written term for abandoning an intention or plan, often used in news or official statements.
登山を断念した。
We abandoned the mountain climb.
Literally 'throw out', used for abandoning a task or responsibility halfway, often with a negative connotation of irresponsibility.
仕事を投げ出して遊びに行った。
He abandoned his work and went out to play.
To desert someone, to leave a place or person permanently or without intention to return.
To abandon someone in need, to desert a person. Strong emotional weight, implies betrayal or neglect.
彼は家族を見捨てた。
He abandoned his family.
困っている友達を見捨てられない。
I can't abandon a friend in trouble.
To leave someone or something behind, often physically. Can be used for people, pets, or objects.
犬を道に置き去りにした。
They abandoned the dog on the street.
General verb for throwing away or discarding. Can be used for abandoning objects, pets, or even people in a harsh sense.
ゴミを捨てる。
Throw away trash.
Formal term for abandonment, often used in legal or official contexts (abandoning rights, property, responsibilities).
彼は財産を放棄した。
He abandoned his property.
To leave a ship, car, or aircraft, especially in an emergency.
Used in formal contexts like abandoning ship. Often part of set phrases.
船を放棄する。
Abandon ship.
To abandon a vehicle after using it, such as a bicycle or car left somewhere.
自転車を駅前に乗り捨てた。
He abandoned his bicycle in front of the station.
To let oneself be controlled by emotions, desires, or fate.
To abandon oneself to something, to give oneself over to a feeling or situation.
悲しみに身を任せた。
I abandoned myself to grief.
流れに身を任せる。
Go with the flow (abandon oneself to the current).
To indulge in, to abandon oneself to a pleasure or activity, often with a nuance of excess.
見捨てる (misuteru) focuses on emotional abandonment and betrayal, often of people. 置き去りにする (okizari ni suru) is more about physically leaving someone or something behind, and can be used for objects or pets without the same emotional weight.
English 'abandon' can often be translated as 諦める (akirameru) when referring to plans or hopes. Using 捨てる (suteru) for abstract things like dreams can sound unnatural or overly dramatic unless intended.
彼女は赤ん坊を捨てた。
She abandoned her baby.
Abandon oneself to drink.