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A2 verb 8 min de lectura

おとす

otosu

Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos おとす en 30 segundos

Explicación おとす in your Level:

At the A1 level, learners should focus on the basic physical meaning of '落とす' (otosu). This means using it to describe dropping a tangible object like a pen, a ball, or a piece of fruit. The most important grammar point here is using the particle 'wo' (を) to show what was dropped. At this stage, you don't need to worry about abstract meanings like failing exams or removing makeup. Just remember: 'Something wo otosu' = 'Drop something.' You might use it when you accidentally drop your bag or a book in class. It is a very useful word for basic daily interactions where you might need to apologize for being clumsy.

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At the A2 level, you begin to use '落とす' (otosu) for more common daily situations beyond just physical dropping. This includes 'losing' items like your wallet or keys while you are out. You will also learn the very common combination with '~te shimau' (otoshete shimatta) to express that the dropping was an accident and you feel bad about it. You might also start to see it used for 'removing' dirt or 'lowering' speed. Understanding that 'otosu' is the active version (I dropped it) versus 'ochiru' (it fell) is a key goal for A2 learners to avoid basic sentence structure errors.

By B1, you should be comfortable with the metaphorical uses of '落とす' (otosu). This includes academic contexts like failing a university credit (tan'i wo otosu) or social contexts like 'winning over' someone (hito wo otosu). You will also encounter it in technical contexts, such as 'downloading' a file (fairu wo otosu). At this level, you should be able to distinguish between 'otosu' and synonyms like 'nakusu' (to lose) or 'ushinau' (to lose abstractly). You will hear it in news reports or more complex stories, such as 'dropping the quality' of a product to save money.

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At the B2 level, you should master the nuance of '落とす' (otosu) in professional and literary settings. This includes its use in idioms like 'inochi wo otosu' (to lose one's life/die in an accident or battle) and 'hyouban wo otosu' (to damage one's reputation). You should understand how 'otosu' functions in compound verbs and how it contrasts with more specific verbs like 'sageru' (to lower) in business settings. You should also be aware of the Kanji variations, though '落とす' remains the standard. Your usage should reflect a deep understanding of the 'agentive' nature of the verb—that there is always a cause or person behind the 'drop.'

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C1 learners should explore the nuanced literary and historical applications of '落とす' (otosu). This includes the historical sense of capturing a castle (shiro wo otosu) or the psychological sense of breaking someone's will. You should be able to use it in sophisticated arguments, such as discussing 'dropping the level' of a debate or 'omitting' critical information from a manuscript (kiji wo otosu). At this level, the word is not just a verb but a tool for describing complex transitions, reductions, and failures in high-level Japanese discourse. You should also be familiar with its appearance in classical-style Japanese expressions.

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At the C2 level, you have a native-like grasp of '落とす' (otosu), including its most subtle connotations in poetry, high-level journalism, and archaic contexts. You understand the philosophical implications of 'dropping' (letting go, losing, or failing) and can use the word with perfect precision across all eight or more of its distinct meanings. You can effortlessly switch between 'otosu' and its highly specific synonyms (like 'genjiru' for reducing or 'shittai suru' for a failure) depending on the desired tone and register. You are also aware of how the word has evolved in the digital age and can use it slangily or formally without hesitation.

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Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos

おとす en 30 segundos

A versatile transitive verb meaning 'to drop' or 'to let fall'.
Used for physical objects, losing items, and removing dirt.
Commonly used for failing exams or reducing speed/volume.
Requires the particle 'wo' and has many metaphorical meanings.

The Japanese verb 落とす (おとす - otosu) is a versatile transitive verb primarily meaning 'to drop' or 'to let fall.' In the realm of Japanese linguistics, it belongs to the Godan verb group and functions as the transitive counterpart to the intransitive verb 落ちる (ochiru - to fall). Understanding the distinction between these two is the first step toward mastery. While 落ちる describes something falling on its own, 落とす implies an agent—someone or something—is causing the object to fall, whether intentionally or accidentally.

Physical Act: The most common usage involves physically dropping an object. For instance, if you fumble your phone and it hits the ground, you have 'dropped' it. This applies to food, keys, or even bombs in a historical context. It is the direct action of letting go or failing to hold onto something.

うっかりスマホをおとしてしまいました。 (I accidentally dropped my smartphone.)

Losing Items: In Japanese, when you lose something because it fell out of your pocket or bag, you use 'otosu.' Unlike the English 'lose' (which could mean forgetting where you put it), 'otosu' specifically suggests the item fell somewhere while you were moving. If you lose your wallet on the street, you 'dropped' it.

Beyond physical objects, 'otosu' extends into several abstract domains. It is used for 'dropping' or 'removing' things like dirt, stains, or makeup. When you wash your face, you are 'dropping' the day's cosmetics. In a competitive or academic sense, 'otosu' can mean failing an exam or losing a credit in university. It signifies a failure to 'catch' or maintain a standard. Furthermore, in the digital age, it has become common slang for 'downloading' files from the internet—dropping them from the cloud into your local storage.

クレンジングでメイクをきれいにおとす。 (Cleanly remove makeup with cleanser.)

Reducing Levels: When you lower the speed of a car, the quality of a product, or the volume of your voice, you are 'dropping' that level. This usage is vital for instructions, such as 'Slow down' (Soku-do wo otosu) or 'Lower the tone' (Tone wo otosu).

Mastering 落とす (otosu) requires understanding its grammatical placement and the variety of objects it can take. As a transitive verb, it always follows the pattern: [Subject] ga [Object] wo otosu. Even if the subject is omitted (common in Japanese), the object being dropped must be marked with を.

Accidental Loss: When you drop something by mistake, you often use the helper verb ~shimau to indicate regret. 'Saifu wo otoshite shimatta' (I unfortunately dropped/lost my wallet). This is the most natural way to express the clumsy act of dropping things.

階段で鍵をおとしたかもしれません。 (I might have dropped my keys on the stairs.)

In a professional or cleaning context, 'otosu' is the standard verb for removing impurities. If you go to a dry cleaner, you might ask them to 'drop' a stain (shimi wo otosu). If you are talking about hygiene, you 'drop' the bacteria (kin wo otosu) by washing your hands. This 'removal' nuance is a major branch of the word's utility.

この洗剤は、しつこい油汚れをしっかりおとします。 (This detergent thoroughly removes stubborn oil stains.)

Academic and Social Failure: Students often use 'otosu' when discussing grades. 'Tan'i wo otosu' means to fail to get a credit for a course. Similarly, 'Shiken wo otosu' means to fail an exam. In a social or romantic context, 'otosu' can colloquially mean to 'win over' or 'seduce' someone (make them 'fall' for you).

Finally, consider the 'reduction' aspect. If you are driving too fast, someone might say 'Supiido wo otoshite!' (Drop your speed!). If you are being too loud, they might say 'Koe wo otoshite' (Lower your voice). This usage focuses on decreasing the intensity or magnitude of a state.

もう少し声をおとして話してください。 (Please speak with a lower voice.)

You will encounter 落とす (otosu) in a myriad of daily situations in Japan. One of the most common places is at a train station. If you go to the 'Lost and Found' (Wasuremono-center), you will likely hear staff asking if you 'dropped' something. Announcements on the platform often warn passengers not to drop their belongings between the train and the platform (sukima ni mono wo otosanai de kudasai).

Beauty and Skincare: In commercials for makeup removers or soaps, the word 'otosu' is ubiquitous. They promise to 'drop' the makeup or dirt without harming the skin. Beauty influencers on YouTube frequently use 'Keshou wo otosu' (taking off makeup) in their night-time routine videos.

寝る前に必ずメイクをおとしましょう。 (Make sure to remove your makeup before going to sleep.)

In tech circles and among gamers, 'otosu' is the go-to word for downloading content. While 'daunroodo suru' is the formal Katakana version, 'otosu' is shorter and feels more native in casual conversation. You might hear a friend say, 'Atarashii geemu wo otoshita yo' (I downloaded the new game).

Dining and Restaurants: If you drop a chopstick or a napkin in a restaurant, you would apologize saying 'Hashi wo otoshite shimaimashita.' The waiter will then bring you a new one. It is a very polite and necessary phrase for any diner in Japan.

Lastly, in the workplace, 'otosu' is used when someone forgets to include a name on a list or leaves out a crucial detail in a report. 'Namae wo otoshite iru' (The name is missing/dropped). It highlights an omission that needs to be corrected.

The most frequent mistake learners make is confusing 落とす (otosu) with its intransitive partner 落ちる (ochiru). This is a classic Transitive vs. Intransitive (Jidoushi/Tadoushi) trap. Remember: 落とす is something YOU do to an object. 落ちる is what happens to the object itself.

Wrong Particle Usage: Because 'otosu' is transitive, it MUST take the particle 'wo' (を). Beginners often mistakenly use 'ga' (が) as if the object is performing the action. Wrong: 'Saifu ga otoshita.' Correct: 'Saifu wo otoshita.'

× ペンがおとした。 (The pen dropped [something] - Incorrect)
○ ペンをおとした。 (I dropped the pen - Correct)

Another mistake is using 'otosu' for 'losing' something when you don't know how it happened. If you simply can't find your keys at home, use 'nakusu' (to lose). If you suspect they fell out of your pocket while walking, then 'otosu' is appropriate. Using 'otosu' implies a physical fall occurred at some point.

Confusion with 'Sageru': While 'otosu' can mean 'to lower' (like speed or volume), it is not always interchangeable with 'sageru' (to lower/hang down). 'Sageru' is used for lowering prices or physically lowering a hand. 'Otosu' for lowering usually implies a reduction in intensity or a sudden drop.

In writing, ensure you use the correct Kanji. 落とす is the standard. Sometimes people mistakenly use 堕とす (also read as 'otosu'), but this Kanji is reserved for 'falling into sin' or 'falling into a dark state' in literature and is not for daily use like dropping your phone.

To truly sound like a native, you must know when to use 落とす (otosu) and when a synonym is more precise. Japanese has many words for 'losing' or 'removing' that overlap with 'otosu' but carry different nuances.

失う (ushinau) vs 落とす: 'Ushinau' is a formal word for 'to lose.' It is used for losing abstract things like confidence, trust, or an opportunity. 'Otosu' is used for physical objects or failing specific metrics like exams. You 'ushinau' (lose) your job, but you 'otosu' (drop/lose) your wallet.
無くす (nakusu) vs 落とす: 'Nakusu' is the general word for 'to lose.' If you don't know why something is gone, use 'nakusu.' If you know it fell, use 'otosu.' If you say 'Kagi wo nakushita,' you can't find them. If you say 'Kagi wo otoshita,' you dropped them somewhere.

信頼をうしなうのは簡単だが、取り戻すのは難しい。 (Losing trust is easy, but regaining it is hard.)

下げる (sageru) vs 落とす: When talking about lowering things, 'sageru' is often about position or value (prices). 'Otosu' is about reducing level or intensity. You 'sageru' the price of a product, but you 'otosu' the speed of a car.

In the context of failing, 'ochiru' (the intransitive form) is actually more common for saying 'I failed the exam' (Shiken ni ochita). However, if you say 'I failed a credit,' you use the transitive 'Tan'i wo otoshita.' This subtle difference depends on whether the focus is on the result (falling) or the action of failing to secure the credit.

How Formal Is It?

Dato curioso

The 'Raku' in 'Rakugo' (traditional comedy) literally means 'drop'. It refers to the 'o-chi' (the drop), which is the punchline at the end of the story that 'drops' the tension and resolves the plot.

Guía de pronunciación

UK o.to.sɯ

US o.to.sɯ

The pitch accent is 'Heiban' (Flat), meaning the pitch starts low and rises, staying high for the rest of the word: o-TO-SU.

Rima con

Kotosu (this year - archaic) Motosu (to return - variant) Hotosu (hot - loanword usage) Torosu (to let through) Korosu (to kill) Norosu (to curse) Yotosu (to hand over) Sotosu (outside - suffix usage)

Errores comunes

Pronouncing 'su' too strongly like 'soo'. It should be a short 's' sound.
Stressing the first syllable like 'O-tosu'.
Confusing the pitch with 'Ochiru' which has a different pattern.
Mispronouncing 'to' as 'tu'.
Making the 'o' sounds too long.

Nivel de dificultad

Lectura 2/5

The Kanji 落 is common but simple to recognize.

Escritura 3/5

Requires remembering the 'water' radical and the 'grass' top.

Expresión oral 2/5

Easy to pronounce but requires correct particle use.

Escucha 2/5

Clear sound, but must be distinguished from 'ochiru'.

Qué aprender después

Requisitos previos

落ちる (ochiru) 下 (shita) 取る (toru) 物 (mono) 出す (dasu)

Aprende después

拾う (hirou) 失う (ushinau) 無くす (nakusu) 下げる (sageru) 壊す (kowasu)

Avanzado

陥落 (kanraku) 落胆 (rakutan) 凋落 (chouraku) 堕落 (daraku) 転落 (tenraku)

Gramática que debes saber

Transitive vs Intransitive

落とす (transitive) vs 落ちる (intransitive).

~te shimau (Regret)

落としてしまった (I unfortunately dropped it).

~te oku (Preparation)

アプリを落としておく (Download the app in advance).

~te kudasai (Request)

スピードを落としてください (Please slow down).

Causative form

落とさせる (To make someone drop something).

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Ejemplos por nivel

ペンをおとしました。

I dropped the pen.

Simple transitive verb usage with particle を.

りんごをおとさないでください。

Please don't drop the apple.

Negative request form: ~nai de kudasai.

かばんをおとしましたか。

Did you drop your bag?

Question form with 'ka'.

あ、消しゴムをおとした！

Oh, I dropped my eraser!

Casual exclamation in plain form.

ボールをおとしてください。

Please drop the ball.

Polite request form: ~te kudasai.

コップをおとさないで。

Don't drop the glass.

Casual negative request.

おもちゃをおとしました。

I dropped the toy.

Past polite form: ~mashita.

何を落としましたか？

What did you drop?

Interrogative 'nani' used with the verb.

財布をおとしてしまいました。

I accidentally dropped my wallet.

Use of ~te shimau to show regret for an accident.

どこで鍵をおとしたかわかりません。

I don't know where I dropped my keys.

Embedded question with 'ka' followed by 'wakaranai'.

ハンカチをおとしましたよ。

You dropped your handkerchief, you know.

Particle 'yo' for providing new information.

スピードをおとして運転してください。

Please drive with reduced speed.

Abstract use of 'drop' meaning 'to reduce'.

メイクをおとしてから寝ます。

I will sleep after removing my makeup.

Using 'otosu' for removing makeup.

テストで名前を書きおとした。

I forgot to write my name on the test.

Compound verb usage: kaki-otosu (to omit writing).

スマホを水の中におとしてしまった！

I dropped my phone in the water!

Regretful past tense with location particle 'ni'.

汚れをきれいに落としました。

I removed the dirt completely.

Use of 'otosu' for cleaning/removal.

大学で単位を落としてしまった。

I failed to get a credit at university.

Academic use: failing a credit.

新しいゲームを落としたよ。

I downloaded the new game.

Slang/Tech use: downloading.

彼はその試験を二回も落とした。

He failed that exam twice.

Using 'otosu' for failing a specific exam.

もう少し声を落として話せませんか？

Could you please speak in a slightly lower voice?

Polite potential request: ~masen ka.

品質を落とさずにコストを下げたい。

I want to lower costs without dropping quality.

Abstract use: dropping quality.

彼女を落とすのは難しいよ。

It's hard to win her over (romantically).

Colloquial use: to seduce or win over.

リストから彼の名前を落とした。

I left his name off the list.

Meaning 'to omit' or 'leave out'.

汚れを落とすために洗剤を足した。

I added detergent to remove the stain.

Purpose clause: ~tame ni.

不注意で会社の評判を落としてしまった。

I damaged the company's reputation through carelessness.

Abstract use: damaging reputation.

彼は事故で命を落とした。

He lost his life in an accident.

Formal idiom: inochi wo otosu.

犯人は証拠を現場に落としていった。

The criminal left evidence behind at the scene.

Compound grammar: ~te iku (left and went).

最新のパッチを落としておいてください。

Please have the latest patch downloaded.

Preparation form: ~te oku.

肩の力を落としてリラックスしてください。

Drop the tension in your shoulders and relax.

Idiomatic physical instruction.

彼は巧みな話術で相手を落とした。

He won over the other party with his skillful speaking.

Metaphorical: to convince or win over.

洗顔料で古い角質を落とす。

Remove old skin cells with a face wash.

Dermatological/Beauty context.

その城を落とすのに三ヶ月かかった。

It took three months to capture that castle.

Historical context: capturing a fortification.

筆者は意図的にこの事実を落としたようだ。

It seems the author intentionally omitted this fact.

Analytical use: intentional omission.

景気の悪化が消費者の意欲を落としている。

The worsening economy is dampening consumer motivation.

Economic context: lowering motivation/intent.

一瞬の油断が命取りとなり、ランクを落とした。

A moment of negligence was fatal, and his rank dropped.

Competitive context: dropping rank.

この洗剤は、繊維を傷めずに汚れだけを落とす。

This detergent removes only the dirt without damaging the fibers.

Technical description: selective removal.

彼は数々の難攻不落の城を落としてきた。

He has captured many impregnable castles.

Historical/Literary narrative.

議論の質を落とすような発言は控えてください。

Please refrain from remarks that lower the quality of the debate.

Formal request in a high-level setting.

画面の明るさを極限まで落として作業する。

Work with the screen brightness lowered to the absolute limit.

Technical instruction: extreme reduction.

そのスキャンダルは政権の支持率を大きく落とした。

That scandal significantly dropped the administration's approval rating.

Political context: dropping approval ratings.

彼は自らの矜持を落としてまで、その地位に固執した。

He clung to that position even at the cost of dropping his pride.

Philosophical/Literary: sacrificing pride.

その詩は、言葉の端々に哀愁を落とし込んでいる。

The poem infuses a sense of melancholy into every word.

Metaphorical compound: otoshi-komu (to infuse/drop into).

歴史の闇に葬り去られた事実を、再び世に落とす。

To bring back to the world a fact buried in the darkness of history.

Dramatic/Literary: releasing information.

照明を落とした舞台に、一筋の光が差し込んだ。

A single beam of light shone onto the stage where the lights had been dimmed.

Artistic context: dimming lights.

彼は敵の計略にはまり、奈落の底へ突き落とされた。

He fell into the enemy's trap and was thrust into the depths of hell.

Idiomatic/Dramatic: tsuki-otosu (to thrust down).

細部にまで神経を研ぎ澄ませ、無駄を削ぎ落とす。

Sharpen your focus to the details and shave off all waste.

Compound verb: sogi-otosu (to shave off/remove waste).

その判決は、司法の信頼を地に落とすものだった。

The verdict was one that dragged the trust in the judiciary into the dirt.

Strong idiom: chi ni otosu (to drag through the mud).

情報の断片を繋ぎ合わせ、真実を導き落とす。

Connect the fragments of information to distil the truth.

Metaphorical use: distilling/reaching a conclusion.

Colocaciones comunes

財布を落とす

スピードを落とす

メイクを落とす

単位を落とす

汚れを落とす

声を落とす

命を落とす

城を落とす

評判を落とす

アプリを落とす

Frases Comunes

聞き落とす

— To fail to hear; to miss something said.

大事な情報を聞き落とした。

書き落とす

— To forget to write something down; to omit.

住所を書き落としてしまった。

見落とす

— To overlook; to fail to notice.

間違いを見落とす。

突き落とす

— To push someone down; to thrust into a bad situation.

絶望の淵に突き落とす。

切り落とす

— To cut off; to prune.

木の枝を切り落とす。

振り落とす

— To shake off; to throw off (like from a horse).

泥を振り落とす。

削ぎ落とす

— To shave off waste; to streamline.

無駄な機能を削ぎ落とす。

産み落とす

— To give birth to (literary).

新しい命を産み落とす。

投げ落とす

— To throw down.

ゴミを谷底へ投げ落とす。

滑り落とす

— To let something slide and fall.

手が滑って皿を滑り落とした。

Se confunde a menudo con

おとす vs 落ちる (ochiru)

Ochiru is intransitive (it falls). Otosu is transitive (I drop it).

おとす vs 無くす (nakusu)

Nakusu is for general loss. Otosu is specifically for dropping.

おとす vs 下げる (sageru)

Sageru is for lowering position/price. Otosu is for reducing intensity/speed.

Modismos y expresiones

"ほっぺたが落ちる"

— Extremely delicious (literally: cheeks falling off).

このケーキはほっぺたが落ちるほど美味しい。

Casual

"命を落とす"

— To die (usually in an accident or war).

彼は若くして命を落とした。

Formal

"肩を落とす"

— To be disappointed or dejected (shoulders dropping).

不合格の通知を見て肩を落とした。

Neutral

"二の句が継げないほど落とす"

— To silence someone by criticizing them severely.

彼は相手を徹底的に言葉で落とした。

Literary

"奈落の底に落とす"

— To cast someone into the depths of hell/despair.

裏切りが彼女を奈落の底に落とした。

Dramatic

"地におちる"

— To fall to the ground (used for reputation/prestige).

権威が地におちる。

Formal

"目を落とす"

— To cast one's eyes down; to look down at something.

書類に目を落とす。

Neutral

"落としどころ"

— A compromise point or mutually acceptable solution.

交渉の落としどころを探る。

Business

"落とし穴"

— A pitfall or hidden trap/danger.

契約には落とし穴がある。

Neutral

"落ち着く"

— To calm down; to settle down (related root).

一度落ち着いて考えよう。

Neutral

Fácil de confundir

おとす vs 捨てる (suteru)

Both involve letting go of an object.

Suteru is intentional discarding (throwing away). Otosu is dropping (often accidental).

ゴミを捨てる vs 鍵を落とす。

おとす vs 降ろす (orosu)

Both involve downward movement.

Orosu is controlled lowering (unloading/dropping off). Otosu is letting fall.

乗客を降ろす vs ボールを落とす。

おとす vs 減らす (herasu)

Both can mean 'to reduce'.

Herasu is for quantity. Otosu is for level/intensity/speed.

体重を減らす vs スピードを落とす。

おとす vs 忘れる (wasureru)

Both relate to 'losing' things.

Wasureru is forgetting to bring/take. Otosu is physically dropping.

傘を忘れる (left it there) vs 傘を落とす (it fell).

おとす vs 負ける (makeru)

Both mean 'to lose'.

Makeru is losing a game/match. Otosu is losing an object/failing a test.

試合に負ける vs 単位を落とす。

Patrones de oraciones

[Noun] を落としました。

ペンを落としました。

[Noun] を落としてしまいました。

財布を落としてしまいました。

[Noun] を落とさないでください。

コップを落とさないでください。

[Noun] を落とすのは難しい。

彼女を落とすのは難しい。

[Noun] を落とさずに[Action]。

品質を落とさずに生産する。

[Noun] を落としていく。

証拠を落としていく。

[Noun] に[Noun] を落とし込む。

作品に情熱を落とし込む。

[Noun] を地に落とす。

信頼を地に落とす。

Familia de palabras

Sustantivos

落とし物 (otoshimono) Lost property/dropped item

落とし穴 (otoshiana) Pitfall/trap

落とし子 (otoshigo) Illegitimate child (archaic)

Verbos

落ちる (ochiru) To fall (intransitive)

落ち着く (ochitsuku) To calm down

落とし込む (otoshikomu) To drop into/incorporate

Adjetivos

落ち着いた (ochitsuita) Calm/composed

落ちぶれた (ochibureta) Ruined/fallen in status

Relacionado

落下 (rakka - fall/descent)

落胆 (rakutan - discouragement)

落第 (rakudai - failing a grade)

落選 (rakusen - losing an election)

落語 (rakugo - traditional storytelling with a 'punchline/drop')

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Cómo usarlo

frequency

Extremely high in daily conversation, cleaning, and tech.

Errores comunes

Using 'ga' instead of 'wo'. → Saifu wo otoshita.
Since 'otosu' is transitive, it needs the object marker 'wo'.
Confusing 'otosu' with 'ochiru'. → Pen wo otoshita (I dropped it) vs Pen ga ochita (The pen fell).
The subject and focus change between transitive and intransitive.
Using 'otosu' for 'forgetting'. → Kasa wo wasureta.
If you left your umbrella at a shop, use 'wasureru', not 'otosu'.
Using 'otosu' for losing a game. → Shiai ni maketa.
Losing a competition is 'makeru'. 'Otosu' is for objects or failing tests.
Mispronouncing as 'odosu'. → Otosu (drop) vs Odosu (threaten).
The 't' and 'd' sounds change the meaning completely.

Consejos

Particle Choice

Always use 'wo' (を) with 'otosu' because it is a transitive verb. You are acting on the object.

Regret

Add '~te shimatta' to 'otosu' when you drop something by accident to sound more natural.

Cleaning

Think of 'otosu' as 'removing' whenever you are talking about soap, stains, or makeup.

Volume

If someone is being too loud, 'koe wo otoshite' is a polite way to ask them to lower their voice.

Credits

In university, 'tan'i wo otosu' is the standard way to say you failed a class.

Downloading

Use 'otosu' for files and apps in casual settings to sound like a native tech user.

Writing

The Kanji 落 has the 'water' radical on the left because things often fall into water (or like rain).

Driving

Remember 'supiido wo otosu' for safety instructions on Japanese roads.

Seduction

In slang, 'otosu' can mean to successfully get someone to date you.

Lost and Found

If you find something on the ground, say 'Otoshimono desu yo' to the owner.

Memorízalo

Mnemotecnia

Think of 'O-TO-SU' as 'OH, TO THE SOIL'. When you drop something, it goes 'oh' and falls 'to the soil'.

Asociación visual

Imagine a person holding an 'O' shaped donut and letting it fall ('SU') onto a 'TO' (toe).

Word Web

落とす (To Drop) 財布 (Wallet) 汚れ (Dirt) 単位 (Credit) スピード (Speed) メイク (Makeup) アプリ (App) 命 (Life)

Desafío

Try to use 'otosu' in three different ways today: once for a physical object, once for cleaning, and once for a digital action.

Origen de la palabra

Derived from the Old Japanese verb 'otosu', which has been used since the Nara period. It originally described the physical act of causing something to move from a higher to a lower position.

Significado original: To cause to fall; to drop.

Japonic

Contexto cultural

Be careful using 'inochi wo otosu' as it is a very heavy way to describe death. Use 'nakunaru' for general passing.

English speakers often distinguish between 'dropping' (accidental) and 'losing' (unknown cause). In Japanese, 'otosu' covers both if the item fell.

Rakugo (The art of the 'drop') The phrase 'Inochi wo otosu' in Samurai films Common J-Pop lyrics about 'falling in love' (koi ni ochiru) vs 'winning someone over' (otosu)

Practica en la vida real

Contextos reales

Losing something

財布を落とした
どこで落とした？
落とし物センター
警察に届ける

Cleaning

汚れを落とす
メイクを落とす
シミを落とす
洗剤で落とす

Driving

スピードを落とす
速度を落とせ
ブレーキをかける
安全運転

School

単位を落とす
試験を落とす
名前を書き落とす
落第する

Tech

ファイルを落とす
アプリを落とす
ダウンロードする
保存する

Inicios de conversación

"すみません、何か落としましたよ。 (Excuse me, you dropped something.)"

"最近、何か大切なものを落としたことはありますか？ (Have you dropped/lost anything important recently?)"

"どうやってこの汚れを落とせばいいですか？ (How should I remove this stain?)"

"大学の単位を落としたことはありますか？ (Have you ever failed a university credit?)"

"新しいゲーム、もう落とした？ (Did you download the new game yet?)"

Temas para diario

今日、何かを落としてしまった時のことを書いてください。 (Write about a time you dropped something today.)

あなたが大切にしている「汚れを落とす方法」を教えてください。 (Tell me about your favorite way to remove stains/dirt.)

もし道で財布を落としたら、どうしますか？ (What would you do if you dropped your wallet on the street?)

最近ダウンロード（落とした）したアプリについて書いてください。 (Write about an app you recently downloaded.)

「命を落とす」という言葉について、どう感じますか？ (How do you feel about the expression 'losing one's life'?)

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

Yes, but only if you lost it by dropping it. If you forgot it at home, you use 'wasureru'. If it's just gone and you don't know why, use 'nakusu'.

'Otosu' is transitive (I drop the pen). 'Ochiru' is intransitive (The pen falls).

Yes, in casual/modern Japanese, 'fairu wo otosu' means to download a file.

You can say 'Shiken wo otoshita' (transitive) or 'Shiken ni ochita' (intransitive). The latter is more common.

Yes, 'keshou wo otosu' or 'meiku wo otosu' is the standard phrase.

It is a formal/literary way to say someone died, usually in an accident or war.

No, but 'inochi wo otosu' means to lose one's own life. To kill is 'korosu'.

Yes, in historical contexts, 'shiro wo otosu' means to make the castle fall/capture it.

It is 'otosu' (落とす). Don't confuse it with 'odosu' (to threaten).

Use 'supiido wo otosu' to mean 'slow down'.

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