扔掉
rēngdiào
In Chinese, to throw away is 扔掉. If unsure, use 扔掉 (rēngdiào). Wiktionary also lists 棄置 / 弃置 (qìzhì) and 扔.
Meaning: discard or dispose of (verb)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 扔掉 | rēngdiào |
| 棄置 / 弃置 | qìzhì |
| 扔 |
The phrase is used to describe the act of discarding or disposing of something. You can use the word 请 (please) before these phrases to say "please throw away."
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For formal or written contexts, such as discussing the disposal of hazardous waste or abandoned property, use 弃置 or 丢弃. In casual spoken Chinese, the single syllable 扔 is often used alone to mean 'throw away' when the context is clear. The form 扔了 is an informal and abbreviated way to say "throw away."
How do you pronounce it?
rēngdiào
Did you know?
- In some dialects, particularly in the north, people use the word 扔 to mean 'to leave something behind' or 'to dump a partner' in a relationship.
- Using 丢弃 in a sentence can imply a more permanent and cold abandonment, such as an owner throwing away a pet, whereas 扔掉 is usually for inanimate objects.
- While 扔 means to throw, in many northern Chinese dialects, people often use the word 丢 (diū) to mean 'throw away', even though 丢's primary meaning is to 'lose' something.
Examples in context
- 这本杂志不要扔。我还没看呢。Don't throw away this magazine. I haven't read it yet.This sentence is useful for practicing the use of 扔.Tatoeba #405228 by fucongcong, translation #59198 by CK
- 我们应该把垃圾扔掉。We should throw away the garbage.
- 这件衣服已经破损了，你可以丢弃它。This piece of clothing is already damaged, you can throw it away.
- 我扔了那本旧书。I threw away that old book.
- 请把这些旧报纸扔掉。Qǐng bǎ zhèxiē jiù bàozhǐ rēngdiào.Please throw away these old newspapers.
- 我不小心把你的笔扔掉了。Wǒ bù xiǎoxīn bǎ nǐ de bǐ rēngdiào le.I accidentally threw away your pen.
Example conversation
At home, Jia Yi is cleaning up the living room.
- 佳怡 Jiayi这些过期的零食可以扔掉吗？Zhèxiē guòqī de língshí kěyǐ rēngdiào ma?Can I throw away these expired snacks?
- 俊杰 Junjie可以，全部扔掉吧。Kěyǐ, quánbù rēngdiào ba.Yes, throw them all away.
- 佳怡 Jiayi那瓶空的果汁也要扔掉吗？Nà píng kōng de guǒzhī yě yào rēngdiào ma?Should I throw away that empty juice bottle too?
- 俊杰 Junjie是的，顺便把垃圾也扔掉。Shì de, shùnbiàn bǎ lājī yě rēngdiào.Yes, throw away the trash at the same time.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “throw away” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
