Translation guide
To remove, discard, or eliminate something unwanted. The best Japanese expression depends on what is being removed and how.
To dispose of something tangible, like trash or unwanted items.
The most common verb for throwing something away or discarding it.
この古い雑誌を捨ててもいいですか。
Can I throw away these old magazines?
To dispose of something, often used for larger items or in official contexts.
粗大ゴミを処分するには予約が必要です。
You need to make a reservation to dispose of large trash items.
To make something unwanted disappear, such as a problem, doubt, or obstacle.
To remove something unwanted, often used for obstacles, doubts, or physical objects.
不安を取り除くために、よく話し合った。
We talked it over to get rid of our anxieties.
To eliminate or make something disappear; can be used for abstract things like noise or problems.
To resolve or eliminate something like stress, a backlog, or a problem.
ストレスを解消するために運動を始めた。
I started exercising to get rid of stress.
To dismiss someone from a job or remove them from a position.
To fire someone; a common colloquial expression.
彼は仕事が遅いから首にされた。
He was fired because he was slow at work.
To dismiss or lay off; a formal term used in business contexts.
会社は従業員を解雇せざるを得なかった。
The company had to get rid of some employees.
To stop doing something habitual, especially something bad.
Simply means 'to stop' doing something; the most straightforward way to say you're quitting a habit.
タバコをやめたい。
I want to get rid of my smoking habit.
To cut off or abstain from something, often used for addictions or bad habits.
甘いものを断つのは難しい。
It's hard to get rid of sweets.
To eliminate insects, rodents, or other pests.
To exterminate or eliminate pests; the standard term for pest control.
ゴキブリを駆除する業者を呼んだ。
I called a service to get rid of the cockroaches.
To dispose of an item by selling it or giving it to someone else.
To sell off completely, often used when you want to get rid of something quickly.
引っ越す前に家具を全部売り払った。
I sold off all my furniture before moving.
To hand over or give something to someone else, often for free or at a low price.
While 捨てる is the most common translation for 'get rid of,' it only works for physical objects you throw away. For abstract things like problems or habits, use other verbs like 取り除く or やめる.
I'm thinking of ways to get rid of the noise.
I got rid of my unused bicycle by giving it to an acquaintance.