to throw away / waste
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to throw away
To throw something in the trash because it is unusable, broken, or no longer needed. This is a colloquial expression.
Die Joghurtbecher sind leer, du kannst sie wegschmeißen.
The yogurt cups are empty; you can throw them away.
to waste
In a figurative sense, to leave a chance, an opportunity, or even talent unused, or to squander it.
Er hatte eine große Karriere vor sich, aber er hat alles einfach so weggeschmissen.
He had a great career ahead of him, but he just wasted it all.
'Wegschmeißen' (to throw away) is a separable verb. The prefix 'weg-' comes at the end in a main clause. In a subordinate clause, the verb stays together, and in the infinitive with 'zu', 'zu' comes in the middle.
Ich schmeiße die alten Zeitungen weg.
I’m throwing the old newspapers away.
The verb 'wegschmeißen' (to throw away) belongs to colloquial language. It is very common in everyday life, but in formal texts or conversations you would more likely use 'wegwerfen' (to throw away) or 'entsorgen' (to dispose of).
Soll ich den leeren Karton wegschmeißen?
Should I throw away the empty cardboard box?
Whether the literal or figurative meaning is intended can be recognized from the object. If it refers to a concrete object, it is literal. If it refers to something abstract like a chance or money, it is meant figuratively.
Schmeiß die kaputte Tasse bitte weg. (wörtlich)
Please throw the broken cup away. (literal)
In the figurative meaning, 'wegschmeißen' (to waste) is often used with abstract nouns that represent value: 'eine Chance wegschmeißen' (to waste a chance), 'sein Talent wegschmeißen' (to waste one's talent), 'sein Leben wegschmeißen' (to throw one's life away), or 'Geld wegschmeißen' (to waste money).
Du hast so ein großes Talent, schmeiß es nicht einfach weg!
You have such great talent; don’t just throw it away!
to waste
Verschwenden is the neutral term for squandering a valuable opportunity or resource without gaining anything from it. In a figurative sense, wegschmeißen can also mean leaving a chance or talent unused, but it sounds more colloquial and vivid. Verschwenden is generally more appropriate in factual statements, while wegschmeißen can also be used in casual speech.
Sie schmiss ihre Chance auf ein Stipendium durch mangelnde Vorbereitung weg.
She threw away her chance at a scholarship through inadequate preparation.
Sie verschwendete ihre Chance auf ein Stipendium durch mangelnde Vorbereitung.
She wasted her chance at a scholarship through inadequate preparation.
