Translation and Meaning of: 飛ばす - tobasu

The Japanese word 飛ばす (とばす, tobasu) is a verb that carries dynamic and versatile meanings, often used in everyday situations and even in more technical contexts. If you are studying Japanese or simply interested in the language, understanding its usage, translation, and cultural nuances can enrich your vocabulary. In this article, we will explore the meaning of 飛ばす, its origin, practical examples, and how it is perceived in Japan.

In addition to being a common verb, 飛ばす has applications ranging from the literal sense of "throwing something through the air" to more metaphorical uses, such as "skipping steps" or "accelerating a process." Whether in casual conversations or idiomatic expressions, knowing this word can be useful for anyone looking to communicate more naturally in Japanese. Let's dive into the details!

Meaning and translation of 飛ばす

The verb 飛ばす can be translated in various ways, depending on the context. Its main meaning is "to make something fly" or "to launch into the air," as in 紙飛行機を飛ばす (kami hikōki o tobasu, "launch a paper airplane"). However, it can also mean "to accelerate," as in 車を飛ばす (kuruma o tobasu, "accelerate the car"), or even "to skip" something, as in 順番を飛ばす (junban o tobasu, "skip a turn").

In some cases, 飛ばす takes on a more metaphorical tone, as in 話を飛ばす (hanashi o tobasu), which can mean "to skip ahead in a conversation" or even "to leave out certain details." This flexibility makes it a useful word in different situations, but it also requires attention to avoid being used incorrectly.

Origin and components of the kanji 飛

The kanji 飛 (とぶ, tobu) means "to fly" and is composed of elements that suggest movement in the air. Its structure includes the radical 飛, which itself represents the idea of flight, and it is used in various other related words, such as 飛行機 (hikōki, "airplane") and 飛び出す (tobidasu, "to jump out"). The origin of this character comes from the pictographic representation of a bird in motion, reinforcing its main meaning.

The suffix ばす (basu) is the causative form of the verb 飛ぶ (tobu), indicating that someone is making something fly or is responsible for that movement. This construction is common in Japanese verbs and helps to understand why 飛ばす has a more active meaning than its base verb.

Cultural usage and frequency in Japan

“飛ばす” is a word frequently found in everyday Japanese, appearing in both informal conversations and more specific contexts, such as traffic or technical instructions. Its metaphorical use, such as in "skipping steps," is particularly common in work environments where efficiency and speed are valued.

In more casual situations, you can hear phrases like メールを飛ばす (mēru o tobasu), which means "send an email quickly." This type of expression reflects how the Japanese language often uses physical terms to describe digital actions, something that also happens in other languages.

Tips for memorizing 飛ばす

An effective way to fix the meaning of 飛ばす is to associate it with concrete situations. For example, imagine someone throwing a paper airplane (紙飛行機を飛ばす) or a driver speeding (車を飛ばす). Creating mental images helps to remember not only the verb but also its different uses.

Another tip is to practice with short and varied sentences, such as ボールを飛ばす (bōru o tobasu, "throw a ball") or 話を飛ばさないで (hanashi o tobasanaide, "don't skip parts of the conversation"). Repeating these examples aloud or writing them on flashcards can strengthen memorization.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Verb conjugation of 飛ばす

• 飛ばす - Positive, present, informal form
• 飛ばせる - Potential form, present
• 飛ばしている - Present continuous tense
• 飛ばした - Past tense, simple past
• 飛ばそう - Volitive form, present
• 飛ばすべき - Imperative form, present

Synonyms and similar words

• 飛翔する (Hishou suru) - Fly, soar
• 飛び立つ (Tobitatsu) - Take off, lift off
• 飛び越える (Tobikoeru) - to surpass, to jump over
• 飛び込む (Tobikomu) - Enter suddenly, dive
• 飛ばし運転する (Tobashi unten suru) - Driving at high speed
• 飛ばし読みする (Tobashi yomi suru) - Skimming reading, read quickly
• 飛ばし打ちする (Tobashi uchi suru) - Shoot quickly, fire without precision
• 飛ばし飛ばしにする (Tobashi tobashini suru) - To do something in a rushed or superficial manner
• 飛ばし飛ばしに進む (Tobashi tobashini susumu) - Advance quickly or superficially
• 飛ばし飛ばしに話す (Tobashi tobashini hanasu) - Speak quickly or superficially
• 飛ばし飛ばしに書く (Tobashi tobashini kaku) - Write quickly, without details.
• 飛ばし飛ばしに仕事をする (Tobashi tobashini shigoto o suru) - To work in a rushed or superficial manner

飛ばす

Romaji: tobasu
Kana: とばす
Type: verb
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: to jump; to omit

Meaning in English: to skip over;to omit

Definition: Go quickly from one place to another.

Example Sentences - (飛ばす) tobasu

See below some example sentences:

彼はボールを飛ばす。

Kare wa booru wo tobasu

He throws the ball.

He flies the ball.

• 彼 - The Japanese pronoun that means "he" is 彼 (かれ, kare).
• は - topic particle indicating that "he" is the topic of the sentence
• ボール - Japanese word that means "bola" -> "ball"
• を - object particle that indicates that "ball" is the direct object of the action
• 飛ばす - Japanese verb meaning "throw" or "toss"

彼女は彼を蹴飛ばした。

Kanojo wa kare wo kechirashta

She kicked him away.

She kicked him.

• 彼女 (kanojo) - she
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 彼 (kare) - he
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 蹴飛ばした (ketobashita) - kicked away