Translation guide
Ways to distract someone's attention, often to gain an advantage. In Japanese, this is expressed through specific nouns and set phrases rather than a single direct translation.
To divert attention from something else, often in a strategic or competitive context.
A feint or deceptive move to mislead an opponent.
A tactic to shift public attention away from a scandal or issue.
Literally 'topic diversion'. Used when someone changes the subject to avoid scrutiny.
それは明らかな話題そらしだ。
That's an obvious diversionary tactic.
陽動作戦 implies a planned, often military-style diversion. 目くらまし is more about deception or creating confusion, like a magician's trick. For everyday distraction, 注意をそらす is simpler.
陽動作戦で敵を引きつけた。
We lured the enemy with a diversionary tactic.
手品師は目くらましを使った。
The magician used misdirection.
A military-derived term for a feint or diversionary operation. Used broadly for any planned distraction.
敵の注意をそらすために陽動作戦を実行した。
We carried out a diversionary tactic to distract the enemy.
Literally 'blinding', used for a smoke screen or deceptive maneuver to hide true intentions.
その発表は単なる目くらましだった。
That announcement was just a diversionary tactic.
A more literal phrase meaning 'a strategy to divert attention'. Clear and straightforward.
彼らは注意をそらす作戦を使った。
They used diversionary tactics.
Borrowed from English 'feint'. Common in sports like soccer, basketball, and martial arts.
彼はフェイントをかけてディフェンスを抜いた。
He used a feint to get past the defense.
Short for 陽動作戦, used in sports commentary for a diversionary play.
そのパスは陽動だった。
That pass was a diversionary tactic.
Literally 'smoke screen'. Metaphor for an action that obscures the truth.
その記者会見は煙幕に過ぎなかった。
That press conference was nothing but a smoke screen.