Translation guide
How to express the idea of creating emotional, social, or physical distance from someone or something in Japanese.
To become less close to someone emotionally or socially, to withdraw from a relationship or group.
The most common and natural way to say 'distance oneself' in a social or emotional sense. Literally 'put distance'.
I've been distancing myself from him lately.
You should distance yourself from that group.
To withdraw or pull back from a situation or relationship, often implying stepping away for someone else's benefit or to avoid conflict.
He distanced himself to avoid trouble.
To become estranged or drift apart naturally over time. Describes the state rather than an intentional action.
I've grown distant from my college friends.
To draw a line between oneself and others, setting a clear boundary. More about establishing limits than gradual distancing.
I draw a line between work and private life.
To move away from someone or something physically, to keep a physical distance.
To physically keep a distance from someone or something. Often used in contexts like social distancing or avoiding danger.
It's safer to keep your distance from that person.
Please keep enough distance between cars.
Simply 'to move away' or 'separate' physically. Intransitive verb.
To move away and become distant, often with a nuance of gradually receding. Intransitive.
To disassociate oneself from a belief, statement, group, or responsibility.
To wash one's hands of something, to withdraw involvement or support. Often used for projects, businesses, or relationships.
He distanced himself from the plan.
To cut ties completely, often with a strong finality. Used for people, groups, or past habits.
To sever relations. More formal and decisive than 距離を置く.
To claim no involvement, to assert one's distance from an issue. Formal and often used in legal or official contexts.
距離を置く is primarily for emotional/social distance, while 距離を取る is for physical distance. However, 距離を置く can sometimes be used for physical distance in abstract contexts.
I decided to distance myself from her. (emotional)
Keep distance from the car ahead. (physical)
Do not translate 'distance oneself' literally as 自分を遠ざける. It sounds unnatural. Use the phrases above depending on context.
危険なのでその場から離れた。
I distanced myself from the spot because it was dangerous.
The boat distanced itself from the shore.
彼はヤクザと縁を切った。
He cut ties with the yakuza.
The company distanced itself from that business partner.
He claimed he had nothing to do with the incident.