捨てる
suteru[sɨ̥te̞ɾɯ̟]
The Japanese phrase for "throw away" is 捨てる (suteru).
捨てる is primarily used to mean discarding or disposing of physical objects. However, it can also be used figuratively to express abandoning a feeling, a hope or a person.
Meaning: discard or dispose of (verb)
Which one should you use?
While 捨てる is the standard term for throwing things away, the compound verb 捨て去る is used to express casting something away or abandoning it entirely in a more formal or literary context.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb can change forms to suit your needs: the te-form 捨てて is used when asking someone to throw something away or when connecting the action to another verb, and the passive form 捨てられた is used to describe something that has been thrown away.
How do you pronounce it?
suteru
Did you know?
- In Japan, the act of throwing something away often involves a ritual of thanking the object first, a practice rooted in the belief that spirits can reside in material things.
- The word 捨てる is used in the phrase 捨て身 ('sutemi'), which refers to a reckless or sacrificial act where one literally 'throws away' their own body to achieve a goal.
- In Japanese culture, the concept of 'throwing away' is often tied to the idea of 'mottainai', a phrase used to express regret when something is discarded without being fully utilized.
Examples in context
- ゴミを捨てるTo throw away garbageThis sentence is useful for practicing the phrase with the object of garbage.
- 母が、私にこの古い帽子を捨てるように言った。My mother told me to throw away this old hat.This sentence shows how to use the phrase when reporting a request from someone else.Tatoeba #1723976 by anko, translation #12007058 by Winter
Example conversation
At home, cleaning up the living room.
- 陽葵 Himariこの雑誌、もういらないから捨てていい？Kono zasshi, mou iranai kara sutete ii?I don't need this magazine anymore, can I throw it away?
- 大翔 Hirotoうん、いいよ。まとめて捨てて。Un, ii yo. Matomete sutete.Yeah, go ahead. Throw them all away together.
- 陽葵 Himariわかった。じゃあ、これと一緒に捨てるね。Wakatta. Jaa, kore to issho ni suteru ne.Okay. Then I'll throw it away along with this.
- 大翔 Hirotoありがとう、助かるよ。Arigatou, tasukaru yo.Thanks, that helps.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “throw away” translations and entries 捨てる, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0, Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
