Translation guide
To avoid something or someone, often by using cleverness, physical movement, or indirect means. In Japanese, the best expression depends on what is being evaded (a question, a person, a responsibility, a physical object) and the nuance (dodging, escaping, sidestepping).
To not answer directly, to sidestep a question or change the subject.
The most common way to say 'evade a question.' It implies dodging the question without giving a straight answer.
He always evades questions.
Literally 'to dodge,' used for questions or attacks. Slightly more physical nuance but common for verbal evasion.
He skillfully evaded the question.
To change the subject or divert the conversation. Not a direct translation of 'evade,' but a common strategy.
She evaded the question by changing the subject.
Literally 'to run away.' Can be used metaphorically for evading a question, but sounds more like fleeing from the situation.
He evaded the question (by running away from it).
To move quickly to avoid being hit by something.
The standard word for dodging a physical object, like a ball or a punch.
He dodged the ball.
Also means 'to dodge,' often used for attacks in sports or martial arts. Slightly more formal or literary than よける.
Literally 'dodge one's body.' Emphasizes the physical movement of the whole body to avoid something.
He evaded the attack by dodging.
To escape from something you are supposed to do, like work or an obligation.
The most direct way to say 'evade responsibility.' 逃れる means 'to escape from' or 'to avoid.'
He tried to evade responsibility.
Can be used for evading duties, but sounds more like running away from them. Often used in compounds like 現実逃避 (escapism).
A formal word meaning 'to avoid' or 'to evade.' Used for risks, problems, or responsibilities.
He evaded that duty.
Literally 'to slip through.' Implies evading something by sneaking past or finding a loophole.
To stay away from someone or something, often to escape an unpleasant encounter.
The general word for 'to avoid' a person, place, or situation. Can be used for physical or social avoidance.
He is evading me.
To run away from a person or situation. Stronger than 避ける, implies fleeing.
Can be used for dodging a person, like avoiding someone in a crowd or sidestepping an encounter.
To illegally avoid paying taxes or following laws.
避ける (sakeru) is the most general 'avoid' and can be used for people, situations, or abstract things. よける (yokeru) is specifically for dodging physical objects. かわす (kawasu) is similar to よける but often used in sports or for verbal evasion, and can sound slightly more formal.
He avoided the question (didn't answer).
He dodged the ball.
He evaded the punch.
逃げる (nigeru) means 'to run away' and can sound cowardly or overly dramatic when used for minor evasion. Use 避ける or かわす for more neutral avoidance.
The boxer evaded the punch.
彼はいつも仕事から逃げている。
He is always evading work.
He evaded responsibility by slipping through the rules.
She evaded him (by running away).
He evaded her in the crowd.
彼は法律を逃れようとした。
He tried to evade the law.