Translation guide
The act of leaving someone or something behind, giving up on a person, place, or responsibility. Japanese expresses this through verbs of leaving, discarding, or neglecting, with nuances depending on whether the object is a person, a thing, or a duty.
To abandon a person, such as a child, spouse, or elderly relative, often implying a failure of care or responsibility.
To abandon or desert someone, often emotionally or in a time of need. Strongly implies turning one's back on a person.
彼は家族を見捨てた。
He abandoned his family.
困っている友達を見捨てるわけにはいかない。
I can't just abandon a friend in need.
To leave someone behind, often physically. Can be used for accidentally leaving someone or deliberately abandoning them.
子供を車に置き去りにしてはいけない。
You must not leave a child behind in the car.
Formal or legal term for abandonment, especially of a person one is responsible for (e.g., child abandonment).
乳児遺棄は犯罪です。
Abandonment of an infant is a crime.
To stop pursuing a goal, plan, or activity; to abandon an attempt.
To give up on something; to abandon hope or effort. Very common and natural for personal goals or attempts.
彼は夢を諦めた。
He gave up on his dream.
計画を諦めるしかなかった。
We had no choice but to abandon the plan.
To abandon an intention or plan, often after careful consideration. More formal than 諦める.
登山は悪天候のため断念した。
We abandoned the mountain climb due to bad weather.
To renounce or abandon rights, claims, or duties. Often used in legal or formal contexts.
彼は王位を放棄した。
He abandoned the throne.
To physically leave a place, building, or vehicle, often permanently or without intention to return.
To throw away or abandon something. Can be used for objects, places, or even people in a harsh sense.
彼は車を捨てて逃げた。
He abandoned the car and fled.
古い家が捨てられたままになっている。
The old house has been left abandoned.
To leave something unattended or neglected; to abandon without care. Often used for objects or places left to decay.
自転車が放置されていた。
A bicycle had been abandoned.
To give up on a place or thing, often with a sense of finality. Similar to 見捨てる but can be used for non-human objects.
To neglect or walk away from an obligation, such as a job, post, or moral duty.
To abandon or renounce a duty, right, or responsibility. Common in formal contexts.
彼は責任を放棄した。
He abandoned his responsibility.
To throw aside or abandon a task or duty, often with a nuance of irresponsibility or giving up halfway.
仕事を投げ出してはいけない。
You must not abandon your work.
Can also be used for abandoning a duty or cause, implying a betrayal of trust.
Feeling abandoned or neglected emotionally, often in relationships.
Passive form of 見捨てる, expressing the feeling of being abandoned or deserted by someone.
彼女は恋人に見捨てられたと感じた。
She felt abandoned by her lover.
A feeling of loneliness or isolation, often associated with emotional abandonment. Not a direct translation but captures the resulting emotion.
彼は深い孤独感に苦しんだ。
He suffered from a deep sense of abandonment.
見捨てる (misuteru) is specifically for abandoning people or causes, implying emotional desertion. 捨てる (suteru) is for discarding objects or, in harsh usage, people as if they were objects. Use 見捨てる when the focus is on the relationship or duty, and 捨てる when the focus is on physical disposal or leaving behind.
The English noun 'abandonment' often does not translate directly into a single Japanese noun. Instead, use verb phrases like 見捨てること or 放棄. Avoid using 放棄 (hōki) for personal relationships unless in a formal/legal context; it sounds cold and technical.
そのプロジェクトの断念は大きな損失だった。
The abandonment of the project was a huge loss.
児童遺棄は深刻な社会問題です。
Child abandonment is a serious social issue.
その村は政府に見放された。
The village was abandoned by the government.
彼は自分の使命を見捨てた。
He abandoned his mission.