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.
He is avoiding me.
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.
Dodge a ball.
Walk avoiding puddles.
To keep something at a distance; to keep away. Often used for keeping people or things away deliberately.
Keep bad friends away.
To not talk about something, to steer clear of a subject.
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.
I'll make sure not to be late.
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.
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.
Prevent a fire.
Avert danger.
回避する is quite formal and can sound stiff in everyday conversation. Use 避ける or other alternatives for casual contexts.
She avoided talking about politics.
Let's not touch on that issue.
He didn't mention that name.
お酒を控えています。
I'm refraining from alcohol.
Refrain from speaking.
夜遅くに外出することを避ける。
Avoid going out late at night.
Prevent illness.
戦争を回避する努力。
Efforts to avert war.
Draft evasion