Translation guide
The act of changing direction or turning aside, or causing something to do so. In Japanese, the expression depends on what is being deflected (physical objects, light, questions, attacks, etc.) and whether it is intentional or natural.
To cause a moving object to change direction, often by hitting or blocking it.
Transitive verb meaning to turn aside or deflect something. Commonly used for physical objects like balls, punches, or arrows.
He deflected the ball.
Deflect an arrow with a shield.
Intransitive verb meaning to turn aside or be deflected. Used when the subject itself changes direction.
The ball hit the goalpost and deflected.
Technical term meaning to cause deflection or deviation, often used in physics or engineering contexts.
The magnetic field deflects the electron beam.
To avoid answering a question or to redirect a conversation away from an uncomfortable topic.
To dodge or parry, used both physically and metaphorically for avoiding questions or attacks.
He skillfully deflected the question.
To change the subject or divert the conversation. Very common for deflecting a topic.
She tried to deflect the conversation.
To evade or dodge a question, often by giving a vague answer or changing the subject.
To shift blame or responsibility away from oneself onto someone or something else.
To shift responsibility onto another person or thing. A formal phrase often used in business or serious contexts.
He deflected the blame for his mistake onto his colleague.
To pin the blame on someone, often unfairly. More colloquial and accusatory.
He tried to deflect the blame onto me.
A slight change in the direction of a ball or puck, often unintentional, caused by touching a player.
Loanword from English, commonly used in sports commentary for a deflection off a player.
The shot went in off a deflection.
Descriptive phrase meaning 'the course changed after hitting something'. Used when a loanword might not be understood.
The bending or deviation of light, sound, or other waves due to an obstacle or medium.
そらす is the most general for turning something aside physically or metaphorically (e.g., a ball, a conversation). かわす implies a skillful dodge, often used for avoiding attacks or questions. はぐらかす is specifically for evading a question by being vague or changing the subject, and can carry a nuance of being slippery or untrustworthy.
He dodged the punch.
The politician deflected the question evasively.
He deflected the question evasively.
The ball deflected off a player.
電子ビームの偏向を測定する。
Measure the deflection of the electron beam.