Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA |
|---|---|
| buttare via | |
| rigettare | /ri.d͡ʒetˈta.re/ |
| scartare | /skarˈta.re/ |
The phrase is used to express the act of discarding something. If you wish to express the idea of 'getting rid of' something, you can use the phrase sbarazzarsi di, which should be followed by the preposition di. If you are instead referring to the act of recycling, use the verb riciclare.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase buttare via is composed of the verb buttare (to throw) and the adverb via (away).
Which one should you use?
The choice of verb depends on what is being thrown out. Buttare via is the most common, everyday way to say 'throw out' or 'throw away' for physical trash. Use rigettare when 'throwing out' refers to rejecting an idea, a proposal or a formal application. Use scartare when 'throwing out' means discarding something that is no longer useful or selecting/rejecting options (e.g., discarding a bad idea or a faulty part).
How does it change in a sentence?
As a separable phrasal verb, when using a direct object pronoun, the via can be attached to the end of the infinitive: buttarlo via (to throw it away).
Did you know?
- In Italian, the concept of 'throwing out' can shift meaning entirely based on the object. Using scartare for a gift means 'to unwrap' it, rather than to discard it.
- The verb scartare is literally linked to the word 'carta', meaning 'paper', because the act of 'discarding' or 'sorting' originally involved separating pieces of paper or parchment.
- When Italians talk about 'throwing out' a secret or a piece of news, they don't use any of these verbs. Instead, they use buttare lì, which means to mention something casually or in passing.
Examples in context
- Ho deciso di gettare via i vecchi documenti.I decided to throw out the old documents.
- Faccio spazio in casa e mi sbarazzo di tutto ciò che non uso più.I'm making room in the house and getting rid of everything I no longer use.
- Ho buttato tutti gli oggetti rotti.I threw out all the broken objects.
- Assicurati di riciclare le bottiglie di plastica invece di buttarle via.Make sure to recycle plastic bottles instead of throwing them away.
- Devo buttare via questo vecchio giornale.I have to throw out this old newspaper.
- Puoi buttare via la scatola vuota?Can you throw out the empty box?
- Non buttare via quel vestito, è ancora buono!Don't throw out that dress, it's still good!
Example conversation
Francesco and Martina are cleaning their living room.
- FrancescoMartina, cosa faccio con questi vecchi documenti?Martina, what should I do with these old documents?
- MartinaPuoi buttare via tutto quello che non serve.You can throw out everything that isn't needed.
- FrancescoVa bene, inizio a buttare via queste carte.Okay, I'll start throwing out these papers.
- MartinaGrazie, Francesco, così finiamo prima.Thanks, Francesco, that way we'll finish sooner.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “throw out” translations and entries buttare via, rigettare, scartare, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries buttare, rigettare, scartare, via, CC BY-SA 4.0.
