Translation guide
The English verb 'toss' covers a range of light, casual throwing actions, as well as mixing food, flipping a coin, and discarding something. This guide organizes the most useful Japanese expressions by the specific action or meaning you want to convey.
To throw something gently or casually, often underhand, without much force.
The most general verb for 'throw'. Can be used for tossing a ball, keys, etc., though it can also imply a stronger throw. Context makes it clear.
ボールを軽く投げて。
Toss the ball lightly.
鍵を投げてくれない？
Can you toss me the keys?
Means to throw or fling something casually, often without caring much about where it lands. Can sound a bit rough or careless.
その辺に放っておいて。
Just toss it over there.
An onomatopoeic expression for a light, casual toss. 'Poi' suggests a carefree, almost dismissive action.
彼はペンをぽいっと机に投げた。
He tossed the pen onto the desk.
To flip a coin into the air to make a decision.
Literally 'throw a coin'. The standard way to say 'toss a coin'.
コインを投げて決めよう。
Let's toss a coin to decide.
Uses the English loanword 'coin toss'. Very common and natural.
コイントスで表が出た。
Heads came up on the coin toss.
To mix ingredients by lightly lifting and turning them, as in a salad or stir-fry.
Means to dress or toss food (especially salad) with sauce or dressing. Implies a gentle mixing action.
サラダをドレッシングで和える。
Toss the salad with dressing.
General verb for 'mix'. Can be used for tossing ingredients, though it doesn't specifically imply the lifting motion.
Used for tossing food in a pan while stir-frying. 'Aoru' means to flip or toss by shaking the pan.
強火で炒めながらあおる。
Toss over high heat while stir-frying.
To move restlessly in bed, unable to sleep.
Literally 'to strike a turn in sleep'. The standard expression for tossing and turning.
昨夜は暑くて寝返りを打ってばかりだった。
Last night was so hot I kept tossing and turning.
A Chinese-derived four-character compound meaning to toss and turn restlessly. Very literary and formal.
心配事で辗转反侧した。
I tossed and turned with worry.
To throw something away or get rid of it without much thought.
The general verb for 'throw away' or 'discard'. Works for tossing trash, old items, etc.
その紙くずを捨てて。
Toss that scrap paper.
Combines 'throw' and 'discard', implying a careless or forceful tossing away.
彼は手紙を放り捨てた。
He tossed the letter away.
To move your head or hair back sharply, often to show emotion or get hair out of your face.
Literally 'shake one's head'. Can mean tossing your head back or shaking it to express negation or impatience.
彼女は髪をかき上げるように頭を振った。
She tossed her head, flipping her hair back.
Specifically means to brush or toss your hair back/up with your hand or a head movement.
彼は前髪をかき上げた。
He tossed his bangs back.
投げる is the neutral 'throw', while 放る implies a more careless or rough toss. Use 放る when you want to emphasize a lack of care or a forceful fling.
ボールを投げる (neutral)
throw/toss a ball
荷物を放る (rough/careless)
toss the luggage (carelessly)
While 投げる means 'throw', it is not used for mixing food. Use 和える or 混ぜる for tossing salads or ingredients.
Please toss the vegetables lightly.