Translation guide
How to express 'throw away' in Japanese, covering physical disposal, discarding abstract things, and common expressions.
To discard a physical object, such as trash or an unwanted item.
The most common and general verb for 'throw away' or 'discard'. Used for trash, old items, etc.
このゴミを捨ててください。
Please throw away this trash.
古い新聞を捨てた。
I threw away the old newspapers.
More formal, often used for disposing of large items, hazardous materials, or in official contexts.
粗大ゴミを処分する。
Dispose of bulky trash.
Technical/legal term for 'dispose of' or 'discard', often used in regulations or business.
産業廃棄物を廃棄する。
Dispose of industrial waste.
To abandon or get rid of non-physical things like ideas, plans, or feelings.
Also used metaphorically for abandoning hopes, dreams, habits, etc.
To abandon or renounce, often used for rights, claims, or responsibilities.
彼は権利を放棄した。
He threw away his rights.
To fail to take advantage of a chance or to waste something valuable.
Literally 'to make useless', used for wasting time, money, or opportunities.
チャンスを無駄にした。
I threw away my chance.
お金を無駄にしないで。
Don't throw away your money.
Idiomatic: 'to throw away' an opportunity or effort, often implying a complete waste.
せっかくの努力を棒に振った。
I threw away all my hard work.
To throw something away with force or into a specific place.
To throw away by tossing or flinging, often carelessly.
空き缶を道に投げ捨てないで。
Don't throw away empty cans on the street.
To throw away or abandon, often with a nuance of neglect. Literary.
捨てる is for physical disposal or abandoning something, while 無駄にする is specifically for wasting something valuable like time, money, or an opportunity.
The English phrase 'throw away' can be translated literally as 投げて捨てる, but this is unnatural in most contexts. Use 捨てる for general disposal.
× ゴミを投げて捨てる
throw away trash (unnatural)
彼は故郷を打ち捨てて都会へ出た。
He threw away his hometown and went to the city.