Readings: キ (Onyomi), す.てる (Kunyomi)
Meaning: abandon, throw away, discard, reject
The kanji 棄 is formed from elements signifying “old” or “used” (𠬝) and “hands” (廾), combined with “wood” or “tree” (木). This composition suggests the act of casting aside or discarding something old or unwanted, perhaps by hand or into a pile of wood/debris.
View JLPT N1 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 棄 has 13 strokes. It starts with the top components, then the middle “hands” part, and finally the bottom “tree” radical. Pay attention to the balance and order of strokes for accurate writing.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 廾 |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 13 |
| JLPT Level | N1 |
| Grade | S (Jouyou) |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- キ (KI)
Kunyomi (Japanese readings)
- すてる (su.teru)
Common Words Using 棄
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 放棄 | ほうき | abandonment, renunciation |
| 破棄 | はき | cancellation, abrogation, breaking (a contract) |
| 廃棄 | はいき | disposal, scrapping, abandonment (of waste) |
| 投棄 | とうき | dumping, jettisoning (e.g., illegal dumping) |
| 棄権 | きけん | abstention (from voting), renunciation of a right |
| 遺棄 | いき | abandonment, desertion (e.g., of a body, child, or property) |
| 棄却 | ききゃく | dismissal, rejection (e.g., of a lawsuit or appeal) |
| 廃棄物 | はいきぶつ | waste products, discarded items |
| 放棄する | ほうきする | to abandon, to renounce |
| 破棄する | はきする | to cancel, to abrogate |
Kunyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 捨てる | すてる | to throw away, to discard (general use) |
| 命を捨てる | いのちをすてる | to sacrifice one’s life |
| ゴミを捨てる | ゴミをすてる | to throw away trash |
| 夢を捨てる | ゆめをすてる | to give up on a dream |
| 見捨てる | みすてる | to abandon, to desert, to forsake |
| 投げ捨てる | なげすてる | to throw away, to cast aside carelessly |
| 振り捨てる | ふりすてる | to shake off, to abandon (someone) |
| 使い捨てる | つかいすてる | to use and throw away, disposable |
| 放り捨てる | ほうりすてる | to cast aside, to throw away (similar to 投げ捨てる) |
| 食い捨てる | くすてる | to eat (food) and leave the rest |
Example Sentences
Japanese: 彼はその計画を放棄した。
Kana: かれはそのけいかくをほうきした。
Romaji: Kare wa sono keikaku o houki shita.
English: He abandoned that plan.
Japanese: 契約が破棄された。
Kana: けいやくがはきされた。
Romaji: Keiyaku ga haki sareta.
English: The contract was abrogated.
Japanese: 産業廃棄物の処理が問題になっている。
Kana: さんぎょうはいきぶつのしょりがもんだいになっている。
Romaji: Sangyou haikibutsu no shori ga mondai ni natteiru.
English: The disposal of industrial waste has become a problem.
Japanese: 川へのゴミの投棄は禁止されています。
Kana: かわへのゴミのとうきはきんしされています。
Romaji: Kawa e no gomi no touki wa kinshi sareteimasu.
English: Dumping trash into the river is prohibited.
Japanese: 選手は試合を棄権した。
Kana: せんしゅはしあいをきけんした。
Romaji: Senshu wa shiai o kiken shita.
English: The player abstained from the match.
Japanese: その判決は棄却された。
Kana: そのはんけつはききゃくされた。
Romaji: Sono hanketsu wa kikyaku sareta.
English: That ruling was dismissed.
Japanese: 古い服を捨てた。
Kana: ふるいふくをすてた。
Romaji: Furui fuku o suteta.
English: I threw away old clothes.
Japanese: 彼は家族を見捨てた。
Kana: かれはかぞくをみすてた。
Romaji: Kare wa kazoku o misuteta.
English: He abandoned his family.
Japanese: 使い捨てのカメラを使った。
Kana: つかいすてのカメラをつかった。
Romaji: Tsukai sute no kamera o tsukatta.
English: I used a disposable camera.
Japanese: 彼女は自分の夢を捨てることはできないと言った。
Kana: かのじょはじぶんのゆめをすてることはできないといった。
Romaji: Kanojo wa jibun no yume o suteru koto wa dekinai to itta.
English: She said she couldn’t give up on her dream.
Related Grammar & kanji list
Expand your study with grammar and kanji lists for other JLPT levels:
I’m a software engineer based in Japan, with experience in developing web and mobile applications. I’m passionate about technology, especially in DevOps, AI, and app development using platforms like AWS, Flutter, and Node.js. My goal is to build a website that shares knowledge about the Japanese language and IT, helping everyone learn and grow more easily in the digital era.