Translation guide
How to express 'lay aside' in Japanese, covering physical setting aside, saving for later, and abandoning habits or feelings.
To place an object you are holding onto a surface or to the side, often to free your hands or pause an activity.
General verb for putting something down or placing it somewhere. Use with particle に for the location.
I laid the book aside on the desk.
Literally 'put to the side'. Emphasizes moving something out of the way.
その書類を脇に置いてください。
Please lay those documents aside.
Literally 'put horizontally/beside'. Similar to 脇に置く, but more about placing beside you.
カバンを横に置いた。
I laid my bag aside.
To keep something, especially money or time, for a future purpose.
Means to set aside, reserve, or keep something for later. Very common for money, food, or time.
毎月少しずつお金を取っておいている。
I lay aside a little money every month.
To store up, save, or lay in stock. Often used for money, supplies, or energy.
Literally 'keep separately'. Used when physically or conceptually separating something for later.
この分は別にしておいて。
Lay this portion aside.
To give up a habit, feeling, or plan, often intentionally.
To throw away, abandon, or discard. Can be used for habits, feelings, or plans.
悪い習慣は捨てなければならない。
You must lay aside bad habits.
恨みを捨てる。
Lay aside resentment.
To stop, quit, or discontinue. Simple and common for stopping an action or plan.
Metaphorically 'put aside' a topic or issue, often temporarily.
その問題はひとまず脇へ置こう。
Let's lay that problem aside for now.
To sever, cut off, or abstain from. Stronger nuance, often used for addictions or deeply rooted habits.
酒を断つ。
Lay aside alcohol.
取っておく is casual and common for everyday saving or setting aside. 蓄える is more formal and implies accumulating a stock over time, often for future security.
お菓子を取っておく。
Set aside some snacks.
知識を蓄える。
Accumulate knowledge.
Directly translating 'lay aside' as 横たえる (to lay down) is unnatural in most contexts. Use 置く for physical objects and 取っておく or 捨てる for abstract concepts.
老後のために資金を蓄える。
Lay aside funds for retirement.
You should lay that plan aside.