Japanese word

処分

Pronunciation

Romajishobun

Meaning

  • noundisposal

Example

古い家具を処分します。furu i ka gu o sho bun shi ma su

I dispose of old furniture.

Illustration for 処分 (disposal)

More examples

引っ越しの前に、使わない服の処分を決めます。hi kko shi no mae ni tsuka wa na i fuku no sho bun o ki me ma su

Before moving, I decide what to do with the clothes I no longer use.

Core concept

It presents unwanted things as items to be removed from one's possession through a chosen practical action.

Common phrases

  • 処分方法sho bun hō hō

    disposal method

  • 処分に困るsho bun ni koma ru

    have trouble getting rid of something

  • 家電の処分ka den no sho bun

    disposal of home appliances

Similar words

廃棄haiki: The act of discarding something that is no longer needed.
処理shori: The act of dealing with something in an appropriate way, including removing it.

Definition in Japanese

必要なくなった物を、適切な方法で手放して始末すること。hitsu yō na ku na tta mono o teki setsu na hō hō de te bana shi te shi matsu su ru ko to

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese noun 処分 (shobun) is formed from 処 (sho, "deal with") and 分 (bun, "divide"), expressing the handling of something by sorting it out.

Usage tips

  • Dispose of sounds more formal than throw away, so everyday speech often uses throw away for ordinary household items.

Other meanings

  • selling offnoun
  • throwing awaynoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 処分するshobunsurudispose ofverb

Word lists with this word