Translation and Meaning of: 落とす - otosu

If you are studying Japanese or simply interested in the language, you may have come across the word 落とす (おとす, otosu). It is a common verb in everyday Japanese, but its meaning goes beyond simple translation. In this article, we will explore what this word represents, its origin, practical uses, and even tips for memorizing it efficiently. In addition, we will see how it appears in cultural contexts and why it is so relevant for those who want to master the language.

The meaning and uses of 落とす

落とす is a Japanese verb that means "to drop," "to knock down," or "to lose something." It can be used in both literal situations, like knocking over an object, and more abstract contexts, such as losing points on a test or missing an opportunity. For example, if someone knocks over a glass, they might say "コップを落とした" (koppu o otoshita).

Additionally, 落とす also appears in everyday expressions, such as 試験に落とす (shiken ni otosu), which means "to fail an exam." This versatility makes it a useful word for those learning Japanese, as it often appears in dialogues and texts.

The origin and writing of 落とす

The kanji 落とす is 落, which combines the water radical (氵) with the component 各 (kaku). This combination suggests the idea of something that "drops" or "falls," like drops of water dripping. Etymologically, the character carries the notion of movement downwards, which perfectly aligns with its current meaning.

It is worth noting that 落とす is a transitive verb, meaning it requires a direct object. This means that it always acts upon something or someone, unlike intransitive verbs like 落ちる (ochiru), which means "to fall" without the need for an external agent. This distinction is important to avoid confusion when forming sentences.

Tips for memorizing and using 落とす

An effective way to 落とす is to associate it with everyday situations. Imagine holding an object and accidentally letting it go – that’s the perfect scenario to use the word. Another strategy is to create flashcards with sentences like "鍵を落とした" (kagi o otoshita – "I dropped the key") to practice in real contexts.

Additionally, watching anime or Japanese dramas can help identify how 落とす is used naturally. In suspenseful scenes, for example, it's common to hear characters saying "落とせ!" (otose!) as a command to "knock down" something. These small immersions make it easier to memorize and correctly use the word.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Verb conjugation of 落とす

• 落とす - base form
• 落としました - Formal past
• 落とさない - negative gift
• 落とせ - imperative

Synonyms and similar words

• 落す (otosu) - Fazer algo cair, derrubar.
• 降ろす (orosu) - Make it come down, unload (usually used for people or objects).
• 下ろす (orosu) - , transfer down or remove something from a place (it can be synonymous with 降ろす in the context of objects).
• 落ちる (ochiru) - Fall, drop (usually used when something falls by itself).
• 落下する (rakka suru) - The action of falling means the descent of a moving object.
• 倒す (taosu) - Knock down, to knock down something or someone, usually with an impact.
• 打ち落とす (uchiotosu) - Knock down with a strike, especially something that is flying or falling.
• 捨てる (suteru) - Jogar fora, descartar algo.
• 失う (ushinau) - Losing something, not having it anymore.
• 削る (kezuru) - Cutting, scraping, or removing part of something.
• 減らす (herasu) - Diminuir, reduzir a quantidade de algo.
• 消す (kesu) - Apagar, eliminar ou extinguishing something.
• 取り除く (torinozoku) - Remover, tirar algo de um lugar.
• 削除する (sakuju suru) - Delete, remove something (usually related to information or data).
• 剥がす (hagasu) - Descolar, descascar algo que está aderido.
• 剝がす (hagasu) - Synonym for 剥がす, used in similar contexts.
• 引き下ろす (hikiorosu) - Pulling down, lowering something that is at a high altitude.
• 投げ落とす (nageotosu) - Throw down, launch something from a high place.
• 落ち込む (ochikomu) - Falling into a negative emotional state, feeling down.
• 落ち着かせる (ochitsukaseru) - To calm, to bring tranquility to someone or something.
• 落ち着く (ochitsuku) - Calm down, enter a state of tranquility.
• 落ち度 (ochido) - Falha, erro ou descuido.
• 落ち着き (ochitsuki) - Tranquilidade, estado de calma ou serenidade.
• 落ち葉 (ochiba) - Fallen leaves, usually referring to leaves that fall in autumn.
• 落ち着き払う (ochitsuki harau) - Estar completamente calmo e sereno.
• 落ち着きを失う (ochitsuki wo ushinau) - Perder a calma ou tranquilidade.
• 落ち込み (ochikomi) - Sentir-se deprimido ou desanimado.