放置|ほうちhouchi[1]atamadaka (head-high)

JLPT N1approx.Common
Definitions
  1. noun, suru verb, transitive verbleaving as is; leaving alone; leaving unattended; neglecting; abandoning
    雨あめの中なかに放置ほうちしておくと自転車じてんしゃはさびるでしょう。↗
    A bicycle will rust if you leave it in the rain.
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.

Synonyms & antonyms
  • 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

Japanese definitions
  1. 対応たいおうなどをせずに、そのままにして放はなっておくこと。また、置おいたままにしておくこと。
Kanji in this word
See also

JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

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