Translation guide
The English phrase "blow away" has several distinct meanings. It can refer to something being moved by the wind, completely destroying something with an explosion, impressing someone greatly, or defeating someone decisively. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for each of these uses.
To be carried off or scattered by the wind.
Transitive verb meaning to blow something away. Use when the subject (wind, explosion, etc.) acts on an object.
The strong wind blew the roof away.
Intransitive verb meaning to be blown away. Use when the subject itself is blown away.
My hat blew away in the wind.
General verb meaning to let fly or send flying. Can be used for wind blowing things away, but less specific than 吹き飛ばす.
The wind blew the papers away.
Intransitive verb meaning to fly or be blown away. Often used for light objects.
The paper blew away in the wind.
To completely destroy or remove something using an explosion or powerful force.
Same verb as above, but used for explosive destruction. Emphasizes the force of the blast.
The bomb blew the building away.
Means to blow up or blast. Focuses on the act of exploding rather than the scattering effect.
They blew the bridge away.
Literally 'to reduce to powder'. Emphasizes complete destruction into small pieces.
The car was blown to pieces by the explosion.
To amaze or overwhelm someone with excellence or emotion.
Means to move or impress someone emotionally. Common for performances, art, etc.
Her singing voice blew the audience away.
Means to overwhelm or overpower. Often used for impressive skill or scale.
I was blown away by the movie's visual beauty.
Idiom meaning to astonish or take someone's breath away. Literally 'pull out the liver', quite strong.
To defeat an opponent thoroughly or easily in a competition or conflict.
Means to win a crushing victory. Common in sports and elections.
Our team blew the opponents away.
General verb for defeating or beating someone decisively.
Literally 'to kick away', meaning to reject or defeat easily. Often used in debates or competitions.
He blew away his opponent's argument.
While 吹き飛ばす can be used metaphorically for strong impact, it is not natural for expressing that something impressed you. Use 感動させる or 圧倒する instead.
吹き飛ばす is transitive (something blows something else away), while 吹き飛ぶ is intransitive (something gets blown away). Choose based on whether there is a direct object.
His magic trick blew me away.
彼はチャンピオンを打ち負かした。
He blew the champion away.