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.
強風が屋根を吹き飛ばした。
The strong wind blew the roof away.
Intransitive verb meaning to be blown away. Use when the subject itself is blown away.
帽子が風で吹き飛んだ。
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.
風が書類を飛ばした。
The wind blew the papers away.
Intransitive verb meaning to fly or be blown away. Often used for light objects.
紙が風で飛んでいった。
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.
爆弾が建物を吹き飛ばした。
The bomb blew the building away.
Means to blow up or blast. Focuses on the act of exploding rather than the scattering effect.
彼らは橋を爆破した。
They blew the bridge away.
Literally 'to reduce to powder'. Emphasizes complete destruction into small pieces.
爆発で車が粉々になった。
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.
彼女の歌声は観客を感動させた。
Her singing voice blew the audience away.
Means to overwhelm or overpower. Often used for impressive skill or scale.
その映画の映像美に圧倒された。
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.
我がチームは相手を圧勝した。
Our team blew the opponents away.
General verb for defeating or beating someone decisively.
彼はチャンピオンを打ち負かした。
He blew the champion away.
Literally 'to kick away', meaning to reject or defeat easily. Often used in debates or competitions.
彼は相手の主張を一蹴した。
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.
彼のマジックには度肝を抜かれた。
His magic trick blew me away.