かわす

か

わ

す

Freq.FrequencyTop 20,000

Meanings

1

godan verb (-su), transitive verb

dodge; evade; avoid; sidestep

usually written using kana alone

Used for physically dodging an object or blow, as well as figuratively evading a question, issue, or responsibility.

彼かれは飛とんできたボールをかわした。
He dodged the ball that came flying at him.

記き者しゃの鋭するどい質しつ問もんをうまくかわした。

He skillfully evaded the reporter's sharp question.

Written forms

かわすUsage89%
Usually written in kana; the kanji form 躱す is rare and 避わす is an irregular kanji usage.
躱かわすUsage11%
Rare kanji form; not commonly used in modern writing.
避かわす
irregular kanji usage
Irregular kanji usage; included for search coverage only.

Kanji

躱dodge, parry, avoid
避evade, avoid, avert

Similar words

避さける
避ける means to avoid something by staying away from it or not engaging, while かわす implies a quick, evasive movement to dodge something that is already coming at you.
よける
よける is similar to かわす in meaning 'to dodge', but よける is more casual and often used for physical avoidance, while かわす can also be used figuratively.

Etymology

The origin is uncertain, but it may be related to the verb 交わす (かわす, 'to exchange'), with a semantic shift from 'crossing' to 'avoiding by moving aside'.