Quadruple VS
Synonym Boundary: "捨てる", "倒す", "投げる", "かなぐり捨てる"
All represent the core concept "throw", but require precise selection.
Japanese Option A
捨てる
すてる (suteru)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option B
倒す
たおす (taosu)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
投げる
なげる (nageru)
N3 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
かなぐり捨てる
かなぐりすてる (kanaguri suteru)
N2 / CEFR
Quadruple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "throw" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "捨てる", "倒す", "投げる", "かなぐり捨てる" based on context.
- 捨てる (すてる (suteru) - Level: N4): Maps to "to throw away, to discard" and is used when Used for disposing of unwanted items. Can also imply abandoning something..
- 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..
Context for "捨てる"
ごみをゴミ箱に捨ててください。
Please throw the trash in the bin.
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.
Synonym Mastery Challenge
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "ごみをゴミ箱に捨ててください。" (Meaning: "Please throw the trash in the bin.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "捨てる" is correct here because it represents "to throw away, to discard" in the context: "Please throw the trash in the bin.".