放置|ほうちhouchi[1]atamadaka (head-high)
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- noun, suru verb, transitive verbleaving as is; leaving alone; leaving unattended; neglecting; abandoning
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 放置する(ほうちする) |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 放置します(ほうちします) |
| Negative (nai) | 放置しない(ほうちしない) |
| polite (masen) | 放置しません(ほうちしません) |
| classical zu / nu | 放置せず・放置せぬ(ほうちせず・ほうちせぬ) |
| Past (ta) | 放置した(ほうちした) |
| polite (mashita) | 放置しました(ほうちしました) |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 放置しなかった(ほうちしなかった) |
| polite (masen deshita) | 放置しませんでした(ほうちしませんでした) |
| Te form | 放置して(ほうちして) |
| Potential | 放置できる(ほうちできる) |
| Passive | 放置される(ほうちされる) |
| Causative | 放置させる(ほうちさせる) |
| Causative passive | 放置させられる(ほうちさせられる) |
| Conditional (ba) | 放置すれば(ほうちすれば) |
| tara | 放置したら(ほうちしたら) |
| Volitional | 放置しよう(ほうちしよう) |
| polite (mashou) | 放置しましょう(ほうちしましょう) |
| Imperative | 放置しろ(ほうちしろ) |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
- Synonym放っておくほうっておくCasualColloquial for leaving someone or something alone, as in 「放っておいて」; in speech it stands in for the more written 「放置」, which is mostly for objects and problems.
- SynonymほったらかすCasualColloquial, with a disapproving nuance of irresponsibility: tossing something aside and leaving it. 「放置」 is more written and neutral.
- SynonymうっちゃるCasualColloquial: to throw something out or set it down and leave it be. 「放置」 is the more written word.
- Synonym捨て置くすておくWrittenWritten/formal prose for leaving a matter alone or not pursuing it, as in 「捨て置けない」. 「放置」 is more common.
- Synonym捨てて置くすてておくWrittenWritten/formal prose, synonymous with 「捨て置く」: setting something aside and ignoring it. In everyday speech, 「放っておく」 is the natural choice.
- SynonymほっぽらかすCasualColloquial with a casual, offhand feel: dropping something and leaving it undone. 「放置」 is more written.
- Related遺棄いきWrittenWritten/formal prose and a legal term: abandoning a corpse, an elderly dependent, etc., as in 「死体遺棄」. 「放置」 is not necessarily illegal.
- Related打ち遣るうちやるWrittenWritten/formal prose and archaic: sending someone far off or abandoning them without care. Rare in modern usage.
- RelatedネグレクトNeutralLoanword for neglect, especially a caregiver failing to look after a child, elderly person, or disabled person; also neglect in general. 「放置」 also covers objects.
- Antonym管理かんりNeutralAntonym on the axis of managing versus not managing: overseeing and handling something instead of leaving it.
- Antonym世話せわNeutralAntonym on the axis of caring versus not caring: looking after someone rather than leaving them unattended.
- Antonym介入かいにゅうNeutralAntonym on the axis of stepping in versus not: a third party intervening in a problem instead of leaving it alone.
For objects or problems left unattended, 「放置」 is the default, as in 「放置自転車」; in speech say 「放っておく」 or 「ほったらかす」. For neglect of care duties use 「ネグレクト」, and for unlawful abandonment 「遺棄」. The opposites are 「管理」 and 「世話」.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only


