に任せる
Leave 〜 up to, Entrust 〜 to
Structure
(Target) Nounに + (Task) Nounを + 任せる
Explanation
The pattern (A) を (B) に任せる expresses the idea of 'leaving (A) in the hands of (B)' or 'entrusting (A) to (B)'. This is the primary function of the る-Verb 任せる, which means 'to entrust'.
In sentences using (A) を (B) に任せる, the particle を marks (A), which is the responsibility or item being entrusted. The particle に marks (B), the recipient of that responsibility.
- 旅行の計画を全部あなたに任せても大丈夫？Are you sure it's okay for me to leave all the trip planning to you?
- こんなに大切な仕事を経験のない彼に任せたの？You left such an important job to him, even though he has no experience?
Fun-fact
While this grammar pattern typically involves entrusting a task to a person, it can also be used to express leaving a result or outcome to an abstract concept like fate or luck.
- 試合の結果を運命に任せよう。Let's leave the outcome of the match to fate.
- どっちの道を選ぶか、コインを投げて偶然に任せよう。Let's flip a coin and leave it to chance to decide which road to choose.
Examples
パーティーの企画を友人に任せた。
I left the party planning to my friend.
新しい部下にこの仕事を任せよう。
Let's entrust this job to the new subordinate.
この件の最終決定を部長に任せます。
I will leave the final decision on this matter to the department manager.
弟に犬の散歩を任せている。
I'm leaving walking the dog to my little brother.
プロジェクトのリーダーを若手のエースに任せた。
They entrusted the project leader role to the young up-and-comer.
なぜ新人にそんな大事な役目を任せたのですか。
Why did you entrust such an important role to a newcomer?
夕食の準備を子供たちに任せてみた。
I tried leaving the dinner preparations to the children.
自分の運命を天に任せるしかない。
There's nothing to do but leave my fate to the heavens.
アルバイトに店の鍵を任せるのは心配だ。
I'm worried about entrusting the store key to a part-timer.
旅行の間、飼い猫の世話を隣の人に任せてきた。
I left my pet cat's care to my neighbor while I was away.
自分の問題を他人に任せてばかりいてはいけない。
You can't always leave your own problems to other people.
私にこのような大役を任せていただき、大変光栄です。
I am extremely honored that you have entrusted me with such an important role.