Japanese word

放置

Pronunciation

Romajihōchi

Meaning

  • nounleave unattended

Example

荷物を放置しないでください。ni motsu o hō chi shi na i de ku da sa i

Please do not leave your baggage unattended.

Illustration for 放置 (leave unattended)

More examples

空き地に古い自転車が放置されています。a ki chi ni furu i ji ten sha ga hō chi sa re te i ma su

An old bicycle has been left unattended in the vacant lot.

Core concept

Centers on allowing something to remain as it is instead of taking care of it or dealing with it.

Common phrases

  • 問題を放置するmon dai o hō chi su ru

    leave a problem unresolved

  • 荷物を放置するni motsu o hō chi su ru

    leave luggage unattended

  • 自転車を放置するji ten sha o hō chi su ru

    abandon a bicycle

  • ごみを放置するgo mi o hō chi su ru

    leave garbage lying around

Similar words

ほったらかしhottarakashi: A state in which a person or thing receives no care or attention.
置き去りokizari: Leaving a person or thing behind at a place without taking it along.
放任hōnin: Allowing a person or thing to remain without control, guidance, or care.

Definition in Japanese

必要な手を加えず、物事をそのままの状態にしておくこと。hitsu yō na te o kuwa e zu mono goto o so no ma ma no jō tai ni shi te o ku ko to

Word origin

放置 (hōchi, "leaving unattended") is formed from 放 (hō, "release") and 置 (chi, "place"), whose combination conveys leaving something in place without attention.

Usage tips

  • The compound 放置自転車 (hōchi jitensha) refers to a bicycle left in a public place, and it often appears in signs and local notices.

Other meanings

  • leave as isnoun
  • neglectnoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word