投げる
nageru[na̠ɡe̞ɾɯ̟]
The English verb 'throw' is translated into Japanese as 投げる (nageru). Wiktionary also lists 投じる (tōjiru).
Meaning: to cause an object to move rapidly through the air (verb)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 投げる | nageru | [na̠ɡe̞ɾɯ̟] (narrow) |
| 投じる | tōjiru | [to̞ːʑiɾɯ̟] (narrow) |
The primary meaning is to cause an object to move rapidly through the air. The noun form 投げ refers to the act of throwing something. You may also encounter the compound verb 投げ出す, which means to throw something down or, figuratively, giving up on a task halfway through.
Which one should you use?
While 投げる is used for physical objects, 投じる is used for abstract things, such as casting a shadow or throwing one's weight into a project.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The past tense of 投げる is 投げた. To express the polite negative 'do not throw', use 投げません.
How do you pronounce it?
nageru
Did you know?
- Japanese uses a specific term 投げっぱなし to describe the act of throwing something and leaving it there without cleaning up.
- The character used in 投げる is the same one used in the word for 'investment', implying a sense of 'casting' capital into something.
- In Japanese sumo wrestling, the technique of throwing an opponent is called 投げ and is considered one of the most decisive ways to win a match.
Examples in context
- 猫に石を投げるな。Don't throw a stone at a cat.This sentence is useful for demonstrating how to use 投げる in a command.Tatoeba #121982 by Sim5634, translation #282021 by shekitten
- 俺に物を投げるなよ。Don't throw things at me.This sentence shows how to use 投げる when someone is throwing objects at you.Tatoeba #12115524 by bunbuku, translation #11915164 by CK
- 投げるものが何もない。I don't have anything to throw.This sentence shows how to use 投げる to describe not having an object to throw.Tatoeba #4900131 by huizi99, translation #3313572 by trieuho
- Booru o nageru. (ボールを投げる。)I will throw the ball.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A park where two friends are playing with a ball.
- 陽葵 Himari健太くん、ボールを投げるよ！Kenta-kun, booru o nageru yo!Kenta, I'm going to throw the ball!
- 健太 Kentaこっちに投げて。Kocchi ni nagete.Throw it towards me.
- 陽葵 Himariはい、投げるね！Hai, nageru ne!Okay, throwing it now!
- 健太 Kentaおっ、上手だね。O', jouzu da ne.Oh, that was a good throw.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “throw” translations and entries 投げる, 投じる, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
