Readings: トウ (Onyomi), な.げる, -な.げ (Kunyomi)
Meaning: Throw, cast, hurl, toss, pitch, abandon
The kanji 投 is formed from the radical 手 (て), meaning “hand,” and the component 殳 (ほこづくり), which is related to striking or throwing with a stick or weapon. Together, they depict the action of “throwing” or “casting” with one’s hand.
View JLPT N3 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 投 consists of 7 strokes. It begins with the radical 手 (hand) on the left, written in 4 strokes. Then, the right part 殳 (a stick/weapon) is written in 3 strokes, completing the character. Pay attention to the sweeping final stroke on the right side.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 手 |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 7 |
| JLPT Level | N3 |
| Grade | S |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- トウ (TŌ)
Kunyomi (Japanese readings)
- なげる (nageru)
Common Words Using 投
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 投資 | とうし | investment |
| 投票 | とうひょう | vote, ballot |
| 投稿 | とうこう | contribution, submission (e.g., to a blog, magazine) |
| 投球 | とうきゅう | pitching (baseball) |
| 投入 | とうにゅう | throwing in, inserting, inputting |
| 投下 | とうか | dropping, investing (e.g., bombs, capital) |
| 投書 | とうしょ | letter to the editor, contribution of an article |
| 投身 | とうしん | throwing oneself (e.g., into water, from a height) |
| 投石 | とうせき | stone throwing |
| 投獄 | とうごく | imprisonment, putting into prison |
Kunyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 投げる | なげる | to throw, to cast, to abandon |
| 投げ出す | なげだす | to throw out, to abandon, to give up |
| 投げ入れる | なげいれる | to throw into, to drop in |
| 投げつける | なげつける | to throw at, to hurl at |
| 投げかける | なげかける | to throw (a question, glance), to cast at |
| 投げ売り | なげうり | sacrifice sale, selling off at a loss |
| 投げ縄 | なげなわ | lasso, lariat |
| 投げ飛ばす | なげとばす | to throw forcefully, to send flying |
| 放り投げる | ほうりなげる | to throw away, to fling, to abandon |
| 投げキッス | なげきっす | a blown kiss |
Example Sentences
Japanese: ボールを投げる。
Kana: ボールをなげる。
Romaji: Bōru o nageru.
English: To throw a ball.
Japanese: 彼は変化球を投げた。
Kana: かれはへんかきゅうをなげた。
Romaji: Kare wa henkakyū o nageta.
English: He threw a curveball.
Japanese: このお金を自動販売機に投入してください。
Kana: このおかねをじどうはんばいきにとうにゅうしてください。
Romaji: Kono okane o jidōhanbaiki ni tōnyū shite kudasai.
English: Please insert this money into the vending machine.
Japanese: 選挙で彼女に投票した。
Kana: せんきょでかのじょにとうひょうした。
Romaji: Senkyo de kanojo ni tōhyō shita.
English: I voted for her in the election.
Japanese: 新しい事業に投資する。
Kana: あたらしいじぎょうにとうしする。
Romaji: Atarashii jigyō ni tōshi suru.
English: To invest in a new business.
Japanese: 雑誌に記事を投稿した。
Kana: ざっしにきじをとうこうした。
Romaji: Zasshi ni kiji o tōkō shita.
English: I submitted an article to the magazine.
Japanese: 諦めずに最後まで投げ出さないでください。
Kana: あきらめずにさいごまでなげださないでください。
Romaji: Akiramezu ni saigo made nagedasanaide kudasai.
English: Please don’t give up and abandon it until the end.
Japanese: 彼が投げた石が窓に当たった。
Kana: かれがなげたいしがまどにあたった。
Romaji: Kare ga nageta ishi ga mado ni atatta.
English: The stone he threw hit the window.
Japanese: インターネットにコメントを投稿した。
Kana: インターネットにコメントをとうこうした。
Romaji: Intānetto ni komento o tōkō shita.
English: I posted a comment on the internet.
Japanese: 彼はボールを遠くに投げた。
Kana: かれはボールをとおくになげた。
Romaji: Kare wa bōru o tōku ni nageta.
English: He threw the ball far away.
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