Translation guide
The English word "ditch" has two main meanings: a noun meaning a trench or channel for water, and a verb meaning to get rid of or abandon something or someone. This guide covers both, with natural Japanese equivalents.
A long narrow hole dug in the ground, often for drainage or irrigation.
General word for a ditch, groove, or channel. Can refer to drainage ditches, gutters, or even small furrows.
道路の脇に溝がある。
There is a ditch on the side of the road.
Be careful not to fall into the ditch.
Specifically a drainage ditch or gutter. More technical than 溝.
The drainage ditch is clogged.
A roadside ditch or gutter, often covered. Common in urban contexts.
I opened the gutter cover and cleaned it.
A moat or canal, often around a castle. Can also mean a ditch in a broader sense, but usually implies a larger, man-made waterway.
There is a deep moat around the castle.
To discard, throw away, or stop using something; to end a relationship or leave someone behind.
The most common word for 'throw away' or 'discard'. Works for physical objects and abstract things like habits.
I ditched the old sofa.
It's hard to ditch bad habits.
To abandon or forsake someone, often with a nuance of leaving them in a difficult situation. Stronger than 捨てる for people.
To quit or stop doing something. Used for ditching plans, activities, or habits.
To leave someone behind, often deliberately. Similar to 'abandon' or 'strand'.
Slang for dumping a romantic partner. Very casual.
To not attend something you are supposed to, often without permission.
Casual verb meaning to skip or play hooky from school, work, or duties. Derived from 'sabotage'.
I ditched school and went to a movie.
Don't ditch your part-time job.
To take an unauthorized day off; to skip without a good reason. More explicit than サボる.
He often ditches work/school.
From English 'escape'. Used for skipping class or slipping away. Somewhat dated slang.
I ditched class.
The noun 溝 (みぞ) only means a physical ditch. It cannot be used for the verb meanings of 'ditch' (abandon, skip). Using it that way would be nonsensical.
捨てる is for objects or abstract things; 見捨てる is for abandoning people, often with emotional weight. Using 捨てる for a person can sound cold or literal (like throwing them away).
I ditched my old phone.
He ditched me at the party.
Let's ditch class and go to the beach.
彼は友達を見捨てて逃げた。
He ditched his friend and ran away.
I can't just ditch someone in need.
Let's ditch today's meeting.
I decided to ditch smoking.
He ditched his comrades and fled.
I got ditched by my girlfriend.