Translation guide
How to express 'dispose of' in Japanese depends on what you are getting rid of and how. The most common everyday word is 捨てる (throw away). For more formal or official contexts like waste management, use 処分する. There are also specific verbs for selling off assets, dealing with problems, or discarding abstract things.
To put something in the trash or get rid of something you no longer need.
The most common and versatile word for 'throw away' or 'dispose of' in daily life. Used for physical objects.
この書類を捨ててもいいですか。
Can I dispose of these documents?
ゴミは明日の朝捨ててください。
Please dispose of the trash tomorrow morning.
Specifically means 'put out for garbage collection'. Used when talking about taking trash to the collection point.
燃えるゴミは火曜日に出してください。
Please dispose of burnable trash on Tuesdays.
To get rid of something in an appropriate, often regulated manner, such as industrial waste, hazardous materials, or large items.
The standard formal term for 'dispose of', often used in legal, business, and environmental contexts. Implies proper or official disposal.
産業廃棄物は適切に処分しなければなりません。
Industrial waste must be disposed of properly.
古いパソコンを処分したいのですが。
I'd like to dispose of an old computer.
More formal and often used in written or legal contexts. Emphasizes abandonment or discarding as waste.
この製品は廃棄する際に注意が必要です。
Caution is required when disposing of this product.
To dispose of property, stocks, or other assets, usually by selling.
Means 'sell off' or 'dispose of by sale'. Used for real estate, securities, etc.
彼は株式をすべて売却した。
He disposed of all his stocks.
Literally 'let go from one's hands'. Can mean to sell, give away, or part with something, often with emotional nuance.
思い出の品を手放すのは辛い。
It's hard to dispose of sentimental items.
To handle, settle, or get rid of a problem, task, or person (sometimes with negative connotations).
Means 'tidy up', 'put away', or 'deal with'. Can be used for tasks, problems, or literally disposing of things.
この問題を早く片付けたい。
I want to dispose of this problem quickly.
Means 'process', 'handle', or 'dispose of'. Used for tasks, data, waste, etc. More formal than 片付ける.
苦情を適切に処理する。
Dispose of complaints appropriately.
Can mean 'dispose of', 'settle', or euphemistically 'kill' or 'get rid of someone'. Use with caution.
Can imply killing or eliminating a person in certain contexts (e.g., yakuza movies).
彼は邪魔者を始末した。
He disposed of the nuisance. (Could imply killing)
To get rid of non-physical things like thoughts, habits, or emotions.
Also used metaphorically for abstract things like ideas, pride, or habits.
古い考え方を捨てるべきだ。
You should dispose of old ways of thinking.
A trendy term combining 断 (refuse), 捨 (discard), 離 (separate). Refers to the minimalist practice of decluttering life and mind.
最近、断捨離にハマっています。
Lately I'm into disposing of unnecessary things (minimalism).
捨てる is the everyday 'throw away'. 処分する is formal and implies proper disposal, often used in official or environmental contexts. Use 捨てる for household trash, 処分する for industrial waste or legal matters.
Do not directly translate 'dispose of' as ディスポーズ・オブ. It is not natural Japanese. Always use the appropriate Japanese verb based on context.