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.
Please throw away this trash.
I threw away the old newspapers.
More formal, often used for disposing of large items, hazardous materials, or in official contexts.
Dispose of bulky trash.
Technical/legal term for 'dispose of' or 'discard', often used in regulations or business.
Dispose of industrial waste.
To abandon or get rid of non-physical things like ideas, plans, or feelings.
To fail to take advantage of a chance or to waste something valuable.
To throw something away with force or into a specific place.
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.
throw away trash (unnatural)
せっかくの努力を棒に振った。
I threw away all my hard work.
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.