Translation guide
This concept covers situations where you delegate all decisions or responsibilities to another person. Japanese expresses this through specific verbs, set phrases, and grammatical patterns that emphasize entrusting, leaving matters to others, or letting someone else take charge.
To leave a decision, task, or matter entirely in someone else's hands, often implying trust or reliance.
The most common and versatile verb meaning 'to entrust' or 'to leave something to someone'. It can be used for tasks, decisions, or responsibilities.
I left all the details up to him.
I'm leaving this project up to you.
Humble form of 任せる, used when you are the one entrusting something to someone of higher status. Often used in service contexts like restaurants (omakase).
I'll leave today's meal up to the chef.
A more formal or literary verb meaning 'to entrust' or 'to leave to'. Often used for abstract things like fate, judgment, or authority.
The final decision was left up to the chairperson.
A pattern using 任せる to indicate who you are leaving something to. The thing being left can be marked with は or を.
I leave the travel planning up to my wife.
To allow another person to make choices or take control, often in a casual or collaborative context.
Same pattern as above, but used in contexts where you are actively letting someone else take the lead.
I'll leave where we go up to you.
A casual phrase meaning 'do as you like', implying you are leaving the decision or action to the other person.
Just do whatever you want. (I'm leaving it up to you.)
Polite way to say 'I'll leave it to you', often used when deferring to someone's expertise.
Well then, I'll leave that matter to you.
To express that you are not trying to control the outcome and are letting things happen naturally.
To criticize someone for shirking responsibility and pushing everything onto others.
Literally 'throw the whole thing'. Means to dump all work or responsibility on someone else without guidance. Often negative.
He always dumps all his work on his subordinates.
Means 'to leave everything to others' in a way that suggests irresponsibility or lack of initiative.
任せる is the everyday word for entrusting tasks or decisions. 委ねる is more formal and often used for abstract concepts like authority, judgment, or fate. In casual conversation, 任せる is almost always the better choice.
I left this job to him.
The judgment was entrusted to the judge.
English phrases like 'leave it all up to you' don't translate word-for-word. Use 任せる or related patterns instead. A direct translation like 全てをあなたに任せる is grammatically possible but often sounds stiff or unnatural in casual speech.
I'll leave it all up to you. (natural)
I'm leaving everything up to you.
She left all the arrangements to her assistant.
Don't just leave everything to others.
At this point, we have no choice but to leave it to fate.
He leaves everything up to others, which is a problem.