Translation guide
The concept of avoiding something, whether a person, topic, action, or situation. Japanese expresses this through various verbs, nouns, and strategies depending on what is being avoided and the nuance (deliberate evasion, natural prevention, or social avoidance).
To stay away from someone or something on purpose, often due to dislike, fear, or awkwardness.
The most common and versatile verb for 'avoid'. Can be used for people, places, things, and abstract situations.
彼は私を避けている。
He is avoiding me.
渋滞を避けるために早く出発した。
I left early to avoid traffic.
Often used for physically dodging or sidestepping something, like an object or attack. More physical than 避ける.
ボールをよける。
Dodge a ball.
水たまりをよけて歩く。
Walk avoiding puddles.
To keep something at a distance; to keep away. Often used for keeping people or things away deliberately.
悪い友達を遠ざける。
Keep bad friends away.
To not talk about something, to steer clear of a subject.
Also used for avoiding topics. Very natural.
その話題は避けましょう。
Let's avoid that topic.
彼女は政治の話を避けた。
She avoided talking about politics.
To leave something untouched/not mention it. Implies intentionally not bringing it up.
その問題には触れないでおこう。
Let's not touch on that issue.
Literally 'not put in mouth', meaning to not mention something at all.
彼はその名前を口にしなかった。
He didn't mention that name.
To refrain from doing something, to prevent oneself from acting.
Pattern meaning 'to make sure not to do ~'. Very common for expressing avoidance of an action.
遅刻しないようにする。
I'll make sure not to be late.
甘いものを食べ過ぎないようにしている。
I'm trying not to eat too many sweets.
To refrain from, hold back, abstain. Often used for moderating behavior like drinking, eating, or speaking.
Can also be used with verb nominalizations (こと) to mean avoid doing something.
To stop an undesirable outcome or event.
To prevent, defend against. Used for stopping negative events like accidents, disasters, or problems.
事故を防ぐための対策。
Measures to prevent accidents.
病気を防ぐ。
Prevent illness.
To avert, evade, or avoid (often used for risks, crises, or formal situations). More formal than 避ける.
リスクを回避する。
Avoid risk.
戦争を回避する努力。
Efforts to avert war.
Avoiding social interaction or situations due to anxiety, discomfort, or cultural norms.
避ける (sakeru) is general avoidance, often of something you don't want to encounter. 防ぐ (fusegu) is prevention, stopping something bad before it happens. 回避する (kaihi suru) is formal evasion/averting, often used for risks or crises.
回避する is quite formal and can sound stiff in everyday conversation. Use 避ける or other alternatives for casual contexts.
お酒を控えています。
I'm refraining from alcohol.
発言を控える。
Refrain from speaking.
Avoid going out late at night.