Quadruple VS
Synonym Boundary: "倒す", "投げる", "かなぐり捨てる", "一石を投じる"
All represent the core concept "throw", but require precise selection.
Japanese Option A
倒す
たおす (taosu)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option B
投げる
なげる (nageru)
N3 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
かなぐり捨てる
かなぐりすてる (kanaguri suteru)
N2 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
一石を投じる
いっせきをとうじる (isseki wo toujiru)
N1 / CEFR
Quadruple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "throw" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "倒す", "投げる", "かなぐり捨てる", "一石を投じる" based on context.
- 倒す (たおす (taosu) - Level: N4): Maps to "to throw down, to knock over, to defeat" and is used when Transitive verb. Can mean to cause something to fall over.
- 投げる (なげる (nageru) - Level: N3): Maps to "to throw" and is used when Used for throwing objects. Can also be used metaphorically, e.g., 疑問を投げる.
- かなぐり捨てる (かなぐりすてる (kanaguri suteru) - Level: N2): Maps to "to throw away; to cast aside; to fling off (forcefully or completely)" and is used when To forcefully or completely discard something, often something abstract like shame, pride, or hesitation..
- 一石を投じる (いっせきをとうじる (isseki wo toujiru) - Level: N1): Maps to "to throw a stone (into a quiet pond); to cause a stir/sensation; to make a suggestion (to provoke discussion)" and is used when An idiom meaning to introduce something.
Context for "倒す"
風が強くて木が倒れてしまいました。
The wind was strong, and the tree fell over. (倒れる - intransitive. 倒す is transitive)
Context for "投げる"
彼は野球のボールを高く投げました。
He threw the baseball high.
Context for "かなぐり捨てる"
彼はプライドをかなぐり捨てて、助けを求めた。
He cast aside his pride and asked for help.
Context for "一石を投じる"
彼の発言が、その議論に大きな一石を投じた。
His remark threw a significant stone into the discussion.
Synonym Mastery Challenge
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "風が強くて木が倒れてしまいました。" (Meaning: "The wind was strong, and the tree fell over. (倒れる - intransitive. 倒す is transitive)")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "倒す" is correct here because it represents "to throw down, to knock over, to defeat" in the context: "The wind was strong, and the tree fell over. (倒れる - intransitive. 倒す is transitive)".