Translation guide
The English word 'cast' has many distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common ones for learners: throwing, assigning roles, shaping metal, voting, and more. Each meaning is treated separately with natural Japanese equivalents.
To throw something, especially with force or in a deliberate manner.
General verb for 'throw'. Works for most physical objects.
He cast the ball far away.
More formal/literary. Often used in set phrases like 'cast a vote' or 'cast doubt'.
He cast doubt on the plan.
Means 'throw' or 'fling', often casually or carelessly. Can also mean 'leave alone'.
He cast the book onto the desk.
To select actors for specific parts in a performance.
Standard term for 'cast' in the context of assigning roles. Often used as a noun: 配役 (casting).
The director cast a newcomer in the lead role.
Loanword from English, commonly used in entertainment industry.
She was cast in the movie.
Means 'appoint' or 'select for a role', broader than just acting. Often used for casting someone in a specific position.
They cast him as the lead.
To form an object by pouring liquid material into a mold and letting it harden.
To formally submit a vote in an election.
To look or shine something in a specific direction, often briefly.
To get rid of something, especially skin, a shell, or an old habit.
To take off (clothes, shoes). For 'cast off clothes', use this.
He cast off his jacket.
To molt/shed skin (for reptiles, insects). Figuratively, to break out of one's shell.
The snake cast its skin.
To cast aside/abandon (habits, doubts, etc.). Stronger than 捨てる.
To draw up a horoscope by calculating planetary positions.
General verb for 'tell fortunes' or 'divine'. For 'cast a horoscope', use 星占いをする or ホロスコープを作成する.
She cast my fortune.
Specifically 'cast a horoscope' in astrological context.
To cause something to appear or be created, often in a figurative sense.
The loanword キャスト is mainly used for 'cast' in the sense of actors or sometimes fishing. It does not cover throwing, voting, or shedding. Use the appropriate Japanese verb for each meaning.
投げる is the everyday word for 'throw'. 投じる is formal and used in abstract contexts like 'cast doubt' or 'cast a vote'. Don't use 投じる for throwing a ball.
Cast a sword.
Cast parts by pouring molten metal into molds.
The voters cast their precious ballots.
He cast his eyes out the window.
彼は迷いを捨て去った。
He cast aside his doubts.
The astrologer cast my horoscope.
The tree cast a long shadow.