Translation guide
To deliberately choose not to do something, often for health, moral, or religious reasons. In Japanese, the expression depends on what you are abstaining from and the context.
To refrain from consuming something, especially for health, diet, or religious reasons.
General verb meaning 'to refrain from' or 'to hold back'. Commonly used for food, drink, smoking, etc.
お酒を控えています。
I'm abstaining from alcohol.
甘いものを控えてください。
Please abstain from sweets.
Stronger, more decisive 'to cut off' or 'to give up'. Often used for quitting a habit completely.
タバコを断つことにした。
I decided to abstain from smoking.
Same reading as 断つ, but implies severing or cutting off completely. Used in more dramatic or literary contexts.
酒を絶って修行に励む。
Abstain from alcohol and devote oneself to training.
To choose not to do something, often for moral, practical, or personal reasons.
Also used for actions. 'To refrain from doing something'.
外出を控えてください。
Please abstain from going out.
無駄な発言は控えましょう。
Let's abstain from unnecessary remarks.
To be discreet or restrained; to abstain out of prudence or respect. Often used in set phrases.
To choose not to vote in an election or decision.
To refrain from sexual relations, often for moral, religious, or health reasons.
To practice abstinence, especially from sexual activity or other desires.
彼は禁欲生活を送っている。
He lives a life of abstinence.
To practice moderation or temperance; can include sexual abstinence but broader.
健康のために節制している。
I'm abstaining for my health.
控える is the most common and versatile for 'abstain' in daily life. 断つ implies a decisive break, often from a bad habit. 慎む carries a nuance of self-restraint out of respect or caution, and is more formal.
There is no single Japanese verb that covers all uses of 'abstain'. Using アブステインする is not natural. Choose the expression based on what you are abstaining from.
More formal version of 控える. Often used in official or polite requests.
コメントは差し控えさせていただきます。
I will abstain from commenting.
不謹慎な発言は慎んでください。
Please abstain from making insensitive remarks.