Translation guide
The act of propelling something through the air with force, typically using the hand and arm. This guide covers common verbs, nouns, and related expressions for throwing in Japanese.
To throw something in a general sense, such as a ball, stone, or object.
The most common and versatile verb for 'to throw'. Used for balls, stones, and many objects.
彼はボールを投げた。
He threw the ball.
石を投げないでください。
Please don't throw stones.
To throw or toss, often casually or carelessly. Can also mean to leave something undone.
彼は本を机の上に放った。
He tossed the book onto the desk.
A more formal or literary verb for throwing, often used in abstract contexts like 'to cast a vote' or 'to invest'.
彼は議論に一石を投じた。
He threw a stone into the discussion (i.e., raised a new point).
Throwing a ball in sports like baseball, or throwing an opponent in martial arts.
Used for pitching in baseball and throwing in general sports contexts.
彼は速い球を投げる。
He throws a fast ball.
Specifically means 'to pitch' (a ball) in baseball.
ピッチャーが投球する。
The pitcher pitches.
A throwing technique in martial arts like judo or wrestling.
To throw something away, discard, or dispose of it.
The standard verb for 'to throw away' or 'to discard'.
ゴミを捨ててください。
Please throw away the trash.
To throw away forcefully or carelessly; literally 'throw and discard'.
To host or organize a party or event.
The most natural way to say 'throw a party' in Japanese.
今度の土曜日にパーティーを開きます。
We're throwing a party this Saturday.
A more casual way to say 'have a party'.
今夜パーティーをしよう！
Let's throw a party tonight!
To deliver a punch or strike.
To throw a punch; literally 'to send out a punch'.
彼は突然パンチを繰り出した。
He suddenly threw a punch.
To throw a punch, with a nuance of releasing or letting fly.
ボクサーは強烈なパンチを放った。
The boxer threw a powerful punch.
To operate a switch or lever, often quickly.
To turn on a switch; literally 'to put in the switch'. Use 切る (きる) for turning off.
彼はスイッチを入れた。
He threw the switch (turned it on).
To throw a switch, emphasizing the physical action of flipping it.
彼はスイッチを倒して機械を動かした。
He threw the switch and started the machine.
To direct a quick look or glance.
To throw a glance; literally 'to cast a gaze'.
彼女は彼に冷たい視線を投げかけた。
She threw him a cold glance.
To glance at; to throw a quick look.
彼は彼女をちらりと見た。
He threw a glance at her.
To spend money freely or wastefully to solve a problem.
To pour money into something; to throw money at a problem.
彼らは問題解決に金を注ぎ込んだ。
They threw money at the problem.
To use money to get one's way; literally 'to make money talk'.
彼は金に物を言わせて解決した。
He threw money at it and solved it.
The English phrasal verb 'throw up' (vomit) is not expressed with 投げる. Use 吐く (はく) or 嘔吐する (おうとする) instead.
彼は吐いた。
He threw up.
投げる means to throw something with the intention of it traveling through the air, while 捨てる means to discard or throw away. 投げ捨てる combines both: to throw away forcefully.
He threw his opponent with a throwing technique.
彼はタバコを道に投げ捨てた。
He threw his cigarette away on the street.