1.
to abandon, to forsake, to desert
To give up on someone or something and leave them without help or care. Carries a strong emotional connotation of betrayal or cold-heartedness.
友達を見捨てるわけにはいかない。
I can't just abandon my friend.
困っている人を見捨てないでほしい。
Please don't turn your back on people in trouble.
会社が倒産しそうになると、社員たちは次々と会社を見捨てて辞めていった。
When the company was on the verge of bankruptcy, the employees deserted one after another.
USAGE:
見捨てる is a compound verb from 見 (see) and 捨てる (to throw away). It implies a deliberate decision to stop caring about or helping someone. The phrase 見捨てるわけにはいかない (I can't just abandon...) is very common and expresses moral obligation.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 見捨てるわけにはいかない: can't just abandon
- 見捨てられる: to be abandoned/forsaken (passive)
- 見捨てないで: don't abandon me/us
- 神に見捨てられる: to be forsaken by God