Translation guide
The English verb 'toss' covers a range of light, casual throwing actions, as well as mixing food, flipping a coin, and discarding something. This guide organizes the most useful Japanese expressions by the specific action or meaning you want to convey.
To throw something gently or casually, often underhand, without much force.
The most general verb for 'throw'. Can be used for tossing a ball, keys, etc., though it can also imply a stronger throw. Context makes it clear.
Toss the ball lightly.
Can you toss me the keys?
Means to throw or fling something casually, often without caring much about where it lands. Can sound a bit rough or careless.
Just toss it over there.
An onomatopoeic expression for a light, casual toss. 'Poi' suggests a carefree, almost dismissive action.
He tossed the pen onto the desk.
To flip a coin into the air to make a decision.
To mix ingredients by lightly lifting and turning them, as in a salad or stir-fry.
Means to dress or toss food (especially salad) with sauce or dressing. Implies a gentle mixing action.
Toss the salad with dressing.
General verb for 'mix'. Can be used for tossing ingredients, though it doesn't specifically imply the lifting motion.
Used for tossing food in a pan while stir-frying. 'Aoru' means to flip or toss by shaking the pan.
Toss over high heat while stir-frying.
To move restlessly in bed, unable to sleep.
Literally 'to strike a turn in sleep'. The standard expression for tossing and turning.
Last night was so hot I kept tossing and turning.
A Chinese-derived four-character compound meaning to toss and turn restlessly. Very literary and formal.
I tossed and turned with worry.
To throw something away or get rid of it without much thought.
To move your head or hair back sharply, often to show emotion or get hair out of your face.
Literally 'shake one's head'. Can mean tossing your head back or shaking it to express negation or impatience.
She tossed her head, flipping her hair back.
Specifically means to brush or toss your hair back/up with your hand or a head movement.
He tossed his bangs back.
投げる is the neutral 'throw', while 放る implies a more careless or rough toss. Use 放る when you want to emphasize a lack of care or a forceful fling.
throw/toss a ball
toss the luggage (carelessly)
While 投げる means 'throw', it is not used for mixing food. Use 和える or 混ぜる for tossing salads or ingredients.
野菜を軽く混ぜてください。
Please toss the vegetables lightly.