Translation guide
The English verb "banish" means to force someone or something to leave a place, or to get rid of a thought or feeling. This guide covers natural Japanese ways to express these ideas, from formal expulsion to mental clearing.
To officially or forcefully make someone leave a country, area, or group.
The most direct equivalent for 'banish' in the sense of exile or expulsion. Used for formal banishment from a country, organization, or group.
He was banished from the country.
The politician was banished from the party.
Literally 'drive out' or 'kick out'. More forceful and physical than 追放する. Can be used for expelling someone from a room, house, or group.
He was kicked out of the room.
They kicked the drunk out of the bar.
Historical term for sentencing someone to exile or banishment to a remote island or province. Used in historical contexts.
He was sentenced to banishment.
To make a thought, worry, doubt, or memory disappear from your mind.
Literally 'drive away'. Commonly used for banishing negative thoughts, fears, or doubts. Figurative use of physical expulsion.
I tried to banish my anxiety.
Means 'sweep away' or 'eliminate completely'. Used for banishing doubts, worries, or negative elements in a thorough manner.
I banished all doubts.
Literally 'forget and leave behind'. Implies banishing a memory by forgetting it completely.
To eliminate something like fear, ignorance, or poverty from a situation or society.
Simple and common verb meaning 'to eliminate' or 'get rid of'. Often used in everyday speech for banishing problems or negative things.
Banishing poverty is difficult.
I want to banish fear.
Strong word meaning 'eradicate' or 'stamp out'. Used for banishing social ills, diseases, or pests.
We must banish corruption.
Means 'exterminate' or 'drive out'. Often used for banishing enemies, pests, or undesirable elements forcefully.
They banished the rats.
English 'banish a thought' is not directly translated as 思考を追放する, which sounds unnatural. Use 追い払う or 忘れる instead.
I banished the thought.
追放する is formal and often used for official exile or expulsion from an organization. 追い出す is more physical and casual, like kicking someone out of a room.
He was banished from the country. (formal)
I kicked him out of the room. (casual)
I banished the thought from my mind.
I tried to banish the memory.