Translation guide
The English verb 'repel' covers physical pushing away, causing disgust, and resisting something. This guide organizes Japanese expressions by these core meanings, from most common to niche.
To drive back an attacker, force something away, or prevent approach.
Most common for repelling an enemy or attacker. Used in military, sports, or pest contexts.
敵を撃退した。
We repelled the enemy.
虫を撃退するスプレー。
A spray that repels insects.
To drive away or shoo away. Common for animals, pests, or unwanted people.
To repel or shed something like water, bullets, or attacks. Often used for materials or surfaces.
この布は水をはじく。
This fabric repels water.
盾で矢をはじいた。
He repelled the arrow with his shield.
To keep something away, not let it come near. Often used for insects or unwanted approaches.
この香りは虫を寄せ付けない。
This scent repels insects.
To make someone feel repulsed or disgusted.
Formal expression meaning 'to cause a feeling of disgust'. Suitable for describing something repulsive.
彼の態度は私に嫌悪感を抱かせた。
His attitude repelled me.
To make someone feel unpleasant or uncomfortable. Common in everyday speech.
その臭いが私を不快にさせた。
The smell repelled me.
Casual, strong expression for making someone feel disgusted or sick. Often used in informal contexts.
あの映画は本当にむかつかせる。
That movie really repels me.
Literally 'physiologically cannot accept'. Strong expression for instinctive repulsion.
彼の顔が生理的に受け付けない。
I find his face repelling.
To resist an idea, influence, temptation, or abstract force.
To refuse or reject something like an offer, advance, or temptation. Can imply repelling an abstract thing.
誘惑を拒んだ。
I repelled the temptation.
To flatly reject or repulse an idea, proposal, or advance. Stronger than 拒む.
To repel or drive back an argument, criticism, or attack. Often used in formal or written contexts.
To not be affected by water, magnets, etc.
Used for water repellency, magnetic repulsion, etc. Same as physical push away but in scientific context.
このコーティングは水をはじく。
This coating repels water.
同じ極は互いにはじき合う。
Like poles repel each other.
Specifically for magnetic or electrical repulsion. Also used figuratively for resistance.
磁石の同極は反発する。
Like poles of a magnet repel.
撃退する is more forceful and often used for enemies or serious threats. 追い払う is for driving away animals or pests, and can be used in daily life.
English 'repel' for disgust is often translated as 不快にさせる or 嫌悪感を抱かせる. Direct translations like 反発させる are unnatural for emotional repulsion.
彼の提案をはねつけた。
She repelled his proposal.
批判を退ける。
Repel criticism.