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.
This photo is blurry.
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.
He deliberately blurred the photo.
Noun meaning 'out of focus' or 'blur' specifically for photos/camera focus. Casual.
This photo is out of focus, isn't it?
Formal noun/adjective meaning 'blurred' or 'unclear', often used in technical contexts.
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.
My childhood memories are 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.
Blur the background of the photo.
He blurred the story to cover it up.
Phrase meaning 'to make vague' or 'to blur' distinctions or meanings.
Don't blur the definition.
Formal phrase meaning 'to make unclear/blurred', often for images or sounds.
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'.
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.
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.
The photo is blurry.
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.
My memory is blurred.
The photo came out blurry.
The line between work and personal life is becoming blurred.
He blurred the faces in the video.
The boundary has become blurred.
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.
The audio is blurred and I can't make it out.
The vacation was a blur.