Translation guide
The English word 'blur' can refer to something visually unclear, a vague memory, or the act of making something indistinct. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for these meanings.
Describing an image, photo, or view that is not sharp or clear.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to be blurred' or 'to become blurry'. Used for photos, vision, or outlines.
この写真はぼやけている。
This photo is blurry.
遠くの景色がぼやけて見える。
The distant scenery looks blurred.
Transitive verb meaning 'to blur' something. Less common than the intransitive form.
The transitive form is less common; often rephrased using causative or other verbs.
彼は写真をわざとぼやけさせた。
He deliberately blurred the photo.
Noun meaning 'out of focus' or 'blur' specifically for photos/camera focus. Casual.
この写真、ピンぼけだね。
This photo is out of focus, isn't it?
Formal noun/adjective meaning 'blurred' or 'unclear', often used in technical contexts.
画像が不鮮明です。
The image is blurred.
Describing a memory, impression, or boundary that is not clear or well-defined.
Adjective meaning 'vague', 'ambiguous', or 'blurred' for abstract things like memories or definitions.
子供の頃の記憶は曖昧だ。
My childhood memories are blurred.
境界線が曖昧になっている。
The boundary has become blurred.
Adverb/adjective meaning 'vaguely', 'dimly', or 'blurred'. Often used for memories or awareness.
Formal adjective meaning 'unclear' or 'blurred', used for sounds, images, or concepts.
Actively causing something to become blurred, such as a line, distinction, or image.
Transitive verb meaning 'to blur' or 'to make vague'. Used for images, lines, or distinctions.
写真の背景をぼかす。
Blur the background of the photo.
彼は話をぼかしてごまかした。
He blurred the story to cover it up.
Phrase meaning 'to make vague' or 'to blur' distinctions or meanings.
定義を曖昧にしてはいけない。
Don't blur the definition.
Formal phrase meaning 'to make unclear/blurred', often for images or sounds.
画像を不鮮明にする処理。
A process to blur the image.
Describing something moving so fast that it becomes indistinct.
Pattern meaning 'so fast it's a blur'. Literally 'too fast to see'.
車が速すぎて、通り過ぎる時はぼやけて見えた。
The car was so fast it was just a blur as it passed.
Phrase meaning 'in a flash' or 'before you know it', often used when time passes in a blur.
休みはあっという間だった。
The vacation was a blur.
ぼやける is intransitive (something is blurry), while ぼかす is transitive (to blur something). Use ぼやける for describing a state, and ぼかす when you intentionally make something blurry.
写真がぼやけている。
The photo is blurry.
写真をぼかす。
Blur the photo.
For vague memories or ambiguous boundaries, use 曖昧 or ぼんやり instead of ぼやける, which is primarily visual.
記憶が曖昧だ。
My memory is blurred.
写真がぼやけて写った。
The photo came out blurry.
仕事と私生活の境界線が曖昧になってきている。
The line between work and personal life is becoming blurred.
彼は動画の顔をぼかした。
He blurred the faces in the video.
そのことはぼんやりとしか覚えていない。
I only have a blurred memory of that.
音声が不明瞭で聞き取れない。
The audio is blurred and I can't make it out.